Nanabhai Bhatt | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1915-06-12)12 June 1915 |
| Died | 24 April 1999(1999-04-24) (aged 83) |
| 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 |
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]
Bhatt, 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]
Over the next few decades, Bhatt became a prolific filmmaker, particularly known for his work in the mythological and fantasy genres. He directed over 70 Hindi and Gujarati films, many of which featured religious and heroic themes. Some of his most notable films includeAlibaba Aur Chalis Chor (1954),Zimbo (1958), andLal Qila (1960).[13]
Bhatt was instrumental in shaping the mythological cinema of the 1950s and 1960s, popularizing stories from Indian epics like theRamayana andMahabharata through low-budget yet widely successful films.[14]
He was also a key figure in theGujarati film industry, directing several Gujarati-language films such asGajara Maru (1981) andJaya Parvati Vrat (1982), which found success among regional audiences.[15]
Bhatt was the patriarch of theBhatt film family.[16] 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.[17][18] Later, Nanabhai married Hemlata Bhatt, with whom he had three children –Robin Bhatt, Parmesh Bhatt, Mamta Bhatt.[19][20] Between both of his parteners, he had five daughters and four sons.[21]
Bhatt died at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai from heart failure on 24 April 1999.[22][23]
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Kabzaa | — |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Jaya Parvati Vrat | Gujarati film |
| 1981 | Gajara Maru | |
| 1976 | Dharti Mata | |
| 1975 | Balak Aur Janwar | |
| 1974 | Jeevan Rekha | |
| 1968 | Jung Aur Aman | |
| 1967 | Baghdad Ki Raatein | |
| 1966 | Shankar Khan | |
| 1965 | Bekhabar | |
| 1965 | Aadhi Raat Ke Baad | |
| 1964 | Samson | |
| 1963 | Alapiranthavan | Tamil film |
| 1963 | Bhootnath | |
| 1963 | Naag Rani | |
| 1962 | Rocket Girl | |
| 1962 | Baghdad Ki Raaten | |
| 1961 | Teen Ustad | |
| 1960 | Police Detective | |
| 1960 | Lal Quila | |
| 1960 | Zimbo Shaher Mein | |
| 1959 | Daaka | |
| 1959 | Baazigar | |
| 1959 | Kangan | |
| 1959 | Naya Sansar | |
| 1959 | Madam XYZ | |
| 1958 | Son of Sinbad | |
| 1958 | Chaalbaaz | |
| 1957 | Mr. X | |
| 1957 | Ustad | |
| 1956 | Kismet | |
| 1954 | Watan | |
| 1954 | Toote Khilone | |
| 1952 | Sinbad Jahazi | |
| 1952 | Apni Izzat | |
| 1952 | Baghdad | |
| 1951 | Lakshmi Narayan | |
| 1951 | Ram Janma | |
| 1951 | Daman | |
| 1951 | Lav Kush | |
| 1950 | Janmashtami | |
| 1950 | Veer Babruwahan | |
| 1950 | Hamara Ghar | |
| 1949 | Veer Ghatotkach | |
| 1949 | Shaukeen | |
| 1946 | Maa Baap Ki Laaj | |
| 1946 | Chalis Karod | |
| 1943 | Mauj | |
| 1942 | Muqabala | It was the first to feature the double-role phenomenon inIndian cinema |
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