Nanabhai Bhatt (12 June 1915 – 24 April 1999) was an Indian film director and producer who worked in Hindi and Gujarati cinema.[1][2] He is known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films,[3] including Mr. X (1957), Zimbo Comes to Town (1960), Lal Qila (1960) and the blockbuster Kangan (1959) starring Nirupa Roy and Ashok Kumar.[4][5] His first film, Muqabala (1942), was the first to feature the double-role or "twins" phenomenon in Indian cinema, wherein lead actress Fearless Nadia alternated between the good sister and the gangster's moll. The formula was subsequently emulated in numerous Hindi films.[6]
Nanabhai Bhatt | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 24 April 1999 | (aged 83)
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | Yeshwant Bhatt Batuk Bhatt |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1942–1988 |
Spouse | Hemlata Bhatt |
Partner | Shirin Mohammad Ali |
Children | 9 (including Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt & Robin Bhatt) |
Relatives | See Bhatt family |
Early life and career
editBhatt, called Yeshwant Bhatt, was born in a Nagar Brahmin family[7] on 12 June 1915 in Porbandar, 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 with Babubhai Mistri, Muqabala (1942) and Mauj (1943), under the same name.[11] He directed two more films as Batuk Bhatt, Homi Wadia's Hunterwali Ki Beti (1943) and Liberty Pictures Sudhar (1949).[12] Bhatt left Basant Pictures and started his own production company "Deepak Pictures" in 1946.[10]
Personal life
editBhatt was the patriarch of the Bhatt film family.[13] Nanabhai was in relationship with a Shia Muslim actress, Shirin Mohammad Ali since 1939. The couple had six children – Sheila Bhatt, Purnima Bhasin, Kumkum Saigal, Mahesh Bhatt, Heena Suri and Mukesh 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 producer Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt, and Robin 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.[permanent 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.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "On Alia Bhatt's birthday, tracing her Kashmiri, Gujarati, German roots". Hindustan Times. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Mahesh Bhatt tours riot-ravaged Ahmedabad – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ Sanjit Narwekar (1994). "Bhatt, Nanabhai". Directory of Indian film-makers and films. Flicks Books. p. 49. ISBN 9780948911408. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ a b Rachel 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. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (26 June 1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. p. 63. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Batuk Bhatt Filmography". Gomolo.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Mahesh Bhatt tours riot-ravaged Ahmedabad". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 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".
- ^ "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!".
- ^ "Age. 96 years Left for her heavenly abode on 18.9.2015 Robin Bhatt & Family".
- ^ "The Dynamic Dynasties: What would the world of films be without them?". Screen. 22 September 2000. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Filmmaker Nanabhai Bhatt dead". Rediff. 23 April 1999. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Nanabhai Bhatt dead". The Tribune. 24 April 1999. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.