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 | 12 June 1915 Porbandar, Porbandar State, Kathiawar Agency, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Gujarat, India) |
| 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
Bhatt, 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
Bhatt 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
Producer
- Kabzaa (1985)
Director
- 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)