Manmohan Desai (1937-1994) was a popular Indian film director and producer who had one of the most successful careers in the 1970s and 1980s. Films like Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Dharam Veer (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981), Coolie (1983) and Mard (1985) were directed and produced by him. Died 1 Mar 1994 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Manmohan Desai was born on Friday 26 February 1937 (age 57 at death) in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India (now Mumbai, Maharashtra). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He was a graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′5″
Weight (approx): 50 kg
Hair color: black
Eye Color: Black
family
parents and siblings
Manmohan’s father Kikubhai was an Indian film producer who owned Paramount Studios, later known as Filmalaya (1931-1941). His output mainly consisted of stunt or action films like Circus Queen, Golden Gang and Sheikh Chilli. Manmohan had an elder brother, Subhash, who became a producer in the 50s and gave him his debut break in Chhaliya (1960). His brother later made films like Bluff Master (1963), Dharam Veer (1977) and Desh Premee (1982) with Manmohan as director.
wife and children
Manmohan Desai was married to Jeevanprabha Gandhi, who wrote the films Manmohan directed, including Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Roti (1974), Dharam Veer (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1971) and Coolie (1979). He also wrote screenplays for films like Uthaman (1976) directed by Rajendra Prasad and Ram Robert Rahim (1980) directed by Vijaya Nirmala. Manmohan lost his wife in April 1979. They have a son, Ketan Desai, who is a screenwriter, director and producer like his father. Ketan has done films like Allah-Rakha (1986), Toofan (1989) and Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). Ketani is married to Kanchan, daughter of actor Shammi Kapoor and actress Geeta Bali.
Manmohan Desai with daughter-in-law Kanchan Kapoor and son Ketan Desai.
Relationships/affairs
A few years after his wife’s death, Manmohan fell in love with actress Nanda in the late 80s. They became engaged, but two years after their engagement, Desai died in Mumbai after accidentally falling from a balcony. In an interview, Nanda’s brother Jaiprakash recalled his sister’s love story with Manmohan. He said that Manmohan’s son Ketan took the help of actress Waheeda Rehman to reunite his father with Nanda. Jayprakash recalled,
So Wahidaji arranged a small dinner. After dinner Didi and Manji were left alone. Manji then revealed her feelings to Didi and said, “I want to marry you.” Didi said that he should consult his family first. On his return that night, I was the first person he discussed the proposal with. I said that Manjhi was a respected filmmaker, a wonderful person and a charming personality and that he should continue. – I want to see you tidy, – I said. Gradually the family got involved. After their approval, Didi called Wahidaj and said he was in favor. The second meeting was held with us. Didi wanted a traditional wedding.
Career
Movies
Manmohan Desai has contributed a lot to Indian cinema. He had a long career spanning 29 years in which he produced 13 monumental hits. He began his journey as a director and screenwriter with the 1957 film Janam Janam Ke Phere. He then directed and produced the film Chaalia which was released in 1960.
Chalia movie poster
He is popular for doing family oriented and masala films. She shared a close bond with actor Amitabh Bachchan and acted with him in many films.
Manmohan Desai with actor Amitabh Bachchan
He has also worked with leading writers like RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji. Produced and directed by Desai, most of the songs in the films were sung by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Mohd. ledge. Manmohan gave massive hits like the romantic comedy Bluffmaster (1963) and Kismat (1968); action films like Sachaa Jhutha (1970) and Dharam Veer (1977); Action comedies like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981), Coolie (1983) and Mard (1985).
The poster of the movie – Master of Bluff
Still from the movie Amar Akbar Anthony
Coolie (1983) movie poster
Net worth
Manmohan Desai’s net worth is $1 million.
death
On March 1, 1994, Manmohan Desai met a tragic end in Girgaon, Mumbai.
Cause of death
Any details related to the fundamental nature of Manmohan’s death remain a mystery to this day. He fell from his apartment balcony and died when a railing collapsed in Girgaon, Mumbai. It is not known whether the incident was an accident or a suicide.
Facts/Trivia
- Ram Sheshadri Iyengar, who is Emraan Hashim’s grandfather, worked as an accountant in Manmohan’s father’s office.
- In 1963, Manmohan intended to make a film titled “Chhoti Si Duniya” starring Raj Kapoor and Nutani. However, the film failed to materialize due to financiers backing out, resulting in its cancellation.
- In 1983, Manmohan Desai was planning to make a film called “Construction Rani” starring Rati Agnihotri. The plan was to produce the film in five different languages; However, the project could not be implemented.
- His nephew was the assistant director and special effects technician (Danny Desai – Subash Desai’s son). Danny Desai is now a pilot.
Categories: Bollywood
Source: dienchau2.edu.vn
