Nanabhai Bhatt (12 June 1915 – 24 April 1999) was an Indian film director and producer who worked inHindi andGujarati cinema.[1][2] He is known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films,[3] includingMr. X (1957),Zimbo Comes to Town (1960),Lal Qila (1960) and the blockbusterKangan (1959) starringNirupa Roy andAshok Kumar.[4][5] His first film,Muqabala (1942), was the first to feature the double-role or "twins" phenomenon inIndian cinema, wherein lead actressFearless Nadia alternated between the good sister and the gangster'smoll. The formula was subsequently emulated in numerousHindi films.[6]
Nanabhai Bhatt | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1915-06-12)12 June 1915 |
| Died | 24 April 1999(1999-04-24) (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Yeshwant Bhatt Batuk Bhatt |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1942–1988 |
| Spouse | Hemlata Bhatt |
| Partner | Shirin Mohammad Ali |
| Children | 9 (includingMahesh Bhatt,Mukesh Bhatt &Robin Bhatt) |
| Relatives | SeeBhatt family |
Early life and career
editBhatt, called Yeshwant Bhatt, was born in aNagar Brahmin family[7] on 12 June 1915 inPorbandar,British India.[citation needed][8] He started his early career in films as a sound recordist with Prakash Pictures, working under his brother Balwant Bhatt, and then by writing "scripts and stories" using the name Batuk Bhatt.[9]
He began his directorial venture when he joined Homi Wadia's team at Basant Pictures[10] by co-directing two films withBabubhai Mistri,Muqabala (1942) andMauj (1943), under the same name.[11] He directed two more films as Batuk Bhatt,Homi Wadia'sHunterwali Ki Beti (1943) and Liberty PicturesSudhar (1949).[12] Bhatt left Basant Pictures and started his own production company "Deepak Pictures" in 1946.[10]
Personal life
editBhatt was the patriarch of theBhatt film family.[13] He was in a relationship withShiaMuslim actress, Shirin Mohammad Ali since 1939. The couple had six children – Sheila Bhatt, Purnima Bhasin, Kumkum Saigal,Mahesh Bhatt, Heena Suri andMukesh Bhatt.[14][15] Later, Nanabhai married Hemlata Bhatt, with whom he had three children –Robin Bhatt, Parmesh Bhatt, Mamta Bhatt.[16][17]
He had five daughters and four sons, including film director and producerMahesh Bhatt,Mukesh Bhatt, andRobin Bhatt.[18]
Bhatt died at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai from heart failure on 24 April 1999.[19][20]
Filmography
editProducer
edit- Kabzaa (1988)
Director
edit- Jaya Parvati Vrat (Gujarati film) (1982)
- Gajara Maru (Gujarati film) (1981)
- Dharti Mata (1976)
- Balak Aur Janwar (1975)
- Jeevan Rekha (1974)
- Jung Aur Aman (1968)
- Baghdad Ki Raatein (1967)
- Shankar Khan (1966)
- Bekhabar (1965)
- Aadhi Raat Ke Baad (1965)
- Samson (1964)
- Alapiranthavan (1963)
- Bhootnath (1963)
- Naag Rani (1963)
- Rocket Girl (1962)
- Baghdad Ki Raaten (1962)
- Teen Ustad (1961)
- Police Detective (1960)
- Lal Quila (1960)
- Zimbo Shaher Mein (1960)
- Daaka (1959)
- Baazigar (1959)
- Kangan (1959)
- Naya Sansar (1959)
- Madam XYZ (1959)
- Son of Sinbad (1958)
- Chaalbaaz (1958)
- Mr. X (1957)
- Ustad (1957)
- Kismet (1956)
- Watan (1954)
- Toote Khilone (1954)
- Sinbad Jahazi (1952)
- Apni Izzat (1952)
- Baghdad (1952)
- Lakshmi Narayan (1951)
- Ram Janma (1951)
- Daman (1951)
- Lav Kush (1951)
- Janmashtami (1950)
- Veer Babruwahan (1950)
- Hamara Ghar (1950)
- Veer Ghatotkach (1949)
- Shaukeen (1949)
- Maa Baap Ki Laaj (1946)
- Chalis Karod (1946)
- Mauj (1943)
- Muqabala (1942)
References
edit- ^"News: Limping at 75".Screen. 4 May 2007.[dead link]
- ^"'Dhollywood' at 75 finds few takers in urban Gujarat".Financial Express. 22 April 2007.
- ^Nanbhat Bhatt chapak.com.
- ^"1959: Year that was".Indian Express. 29 May 1998.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Quicktakes: Bhatts bereaved".Indian Express. 24 April 1999.
- ^"SPECIAL: Is Old Gold?".Screen. 26 March 2010.[dead link]
- ^"On Alia Bhatt's birthday, tracing her Kashmiri, Gujarati, German roots".Hindustan Times. 15 March 2021. Retrieved9 January 2022.
- ^"Mahesh Bhatt tours riot-ravaged Ahmedabad – Times of India".The Times of India. Retrieved25 February 2019.
- ^Sanjit Narwekar (1994). "Bhatt, Nanabhai".Directory of Indian film-makers and films. Flicks Books. p. 49.ISBN 9780948911408. Retrieved24 January 2015.
- ^abRachel Dwyer; Senior Lecturer in Indian Studies Rachel Dwyer (27 September 2006).Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema. Routledge. pp. 44–.ISBN 978-1-134-38070-1. Retrieved25 January 2015.
- ^Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (26 June 1999).Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. p. 63. Retrieved24 January 2015.
- ^"Batuk Bhatt Filmography". Gomolo.com.Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved24 January 2015.
- ^"Mahesh Bhatt tours riot-ravaged Ahmedabad".The Times of India. Retrieved25 February 2019.
- ^"Mahesh Bhatt's father didn't abandon either of his two wives, his claims about being illegitimate are 'dishonest': Nephew Dharmesh Darshan".
- ^"The Saraansh of Mahesh Bhatt's life".The Times of India.
- ^"ETimes BFFs: Did you know Faraaz producer Sahil Saigal is Alia Bhatt's cousin? Check out the long and complicated filmy lineage of the Bhatts!".The Times of India.
- ^"Age. 96 years Left for her heavenly abode on 18.9.2015 Robin Bhatt & Family".The Times of India.
- ^"The Dynamic Dynasties: What would the world of films be without them?".Screen. 22 September 2000. Archived fromthe original on 10 February 2010.
- ^"Filmmaker Nanabhai Bhatt dead". Rediff. 23 April 1999.Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved3 March 2016.
- ^"Nanabhai Bhatt dead".The Tribune. 24 April 1999.Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved3 March 2016.