Overview
Prakash Mehra (13 July 1939 – 17 May 2009) was an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter associated with Hindi cinema. He is best remembered for a string of commercially successful action and masala films made in the 1970s and early 1980s, several of which featured Amitabh Bachchan and helped establish the actor's "angry young man" persona. Mehra directed films such as Zanjeer (1973), Hera Pheri (1976), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Laawaris (1981) and Sharaabi (1984).
Key facts
| Full name | Prakash Mehra |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 July 1939, Bijnor, United Provinces, British India |
| Died | 17 May 2009, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter, lyricist |
| Years active | 1968–2001 |
| Production house | Prakash Mehra Productions |
| Notable collaborator | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Genres | Action, drama, masala |
Background
Prakash Mehra was born in Bijnor, in present-day Uttar Pradesh. He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the late 1950s to pursue a career in films. He began his career working in production roles before transitioning to direction.
Career
Early work
Mehra made his directorial debut with Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1968), starring Shashi Kapoor. He followed it with Mela (1971) and Samadhi (1972), both of which performed reasonably at the box office and established him as a competent commercial director.
Collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan
Mehra's most significant professional relationship was with Amitabh Bachchan. Their first film together, Zanjeer (1973), was a turning point in Hindi cinema. The film's lead role had reportedly been turned down by several established stars before being offered to Bachchan, and its success transformed him into a major star and inaugurated the "angry young man" archetype that defined the decade.
Mehra subsequently directed Bachchan in:
- Hera Pheri (1976)
- Khoon Pasina (1977)
- Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
- Laawaris (1981)
- Namak Halaal (1982)
- Sharaabi (1984)
- Jaadugar (1989)
Other films
Beyond his work with Bachchan, Mehra directed films such as Aan Baan (1972), Desh Premee (1982), starring Manoj Kumar, and Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988). His final directorial project was Bal Brahmachari (1996). He also produced films under his banner Prakash Mehra Productions.
Lyrics
Mehra occasionally wrote lyrics for songs in his films. He is credited with the lyrics of "O Saathi Re" from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, composed by Kalyanji–Anandji.
Timeline
- 1939 – Born in Bijnor.
- 1968 – Directorial debut with Haseena Maan Jaayegi.
- 1973 – Directs Zanjeer, launching the Bachchan partnership.
- 1978 – Muqaddar Ka Sikandar becomes one of the year's biggest hits.
- 1981–1984 – Peak commercial period with Laawaris, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi.
- 1996 – Final directorial release, Bal Brahmachari.
- 2009 – Dies in Mumbai after a prolonged illness.
Style and significance
Mehra's films are characterised by larger-than-life heroes drawn from working-class or marginalised backgrounds, melodious songs integrated with the narrative, and a blend of action, comedy, romance and social commentary that came to define the masala film. Together with Manmohan Desai and Yash Chopra, he was among the directors most responsible for shaping mainstream Hindi cinema's commercial template during the 1970s. His partnership with Amitabh Bachchan is regarded as one of the defining director–actor collaborations in Indian film history, alongside Bachchan's work with Manmohan Desai.
Personal life and death
Prakash Mehra was married to Bindu Mehra and had four sons, including Amit Mehra and Sumeet Mehra, who entered film production. He died on 17 May 2009 in Mumbai at the age of 69 after a long illness.