Kuljit Pal (1933-2023) was an Indian director, writer and producer who worked in the Hindi film industry. He is known for being a producer of films like “Arth” (1982) and “Aaj” (1987). Kuljit is considered to be the first to introduce famous Indian actress Rekha to Hindi films. Kuljit Pal passed away due to cardiac arrest in June 2023.
Wiki/Biography
Kuljit Pal was born in 1933 in Nairobi, Kenya (age 90 in 2023).
family
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
wife and children
Kuljit Pal is married to producer Rita Pal. His daughter’s name is Anamika Pal (also known as Anu Pal); she is an actress. Anamika was previously engaged to actor Akshay Kumar.
Kuljit Pal’s daughter Anamika Pal
Profession
Movie
Producer
Kuljit Pal made his debut as a Hindi film producer in 1968 with the film Vaasna. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Padmini, Biswajit Chatterjee and others.
Poster of the movie Vaasna (1968)
In 1979, he produced the film Do Shikaari, starring Rekha and Vinod Khanna. Pal later made other films including Arth (1982), Aashiana (1986) and Aaj (1987).
writer
Kuljit served as story writer for the film Parmatma (1978).
Poster for the film Palma Matama (1978)
director
Pal made his directorial debut in 1979 with the film Do Shikaari.
Poster of the movie “Do Shikaari” (1979)
die
Kuljit Pal passed away due to cardiac arrest on June 24, 2023, in Mumbai after a long illness. According to sources, he was bedridden for a long time.
Facts/Trivia
- It is reported that Kuljit helped recognize the potential of Indian actress Rekha and provided her with her first opportunity to enter the Hindi film industry; however, the film project was eventually shelved. In an interview, Kuljit spoke about the day he met Rekha for the first time. He mentioned that he had traveled to Madras (Chennai) in Tamil Nadu to meet Indian actor Vanisri with the intention of casting her in the film “Do Shikaari”. However, he stumbles upon a young girl named Rekha in Vanisli’s room. Kuljit was impressed with her and decided to conduct some conversation tests with her at Rekha’s residence. Rekha performed well despite her limited language skills. After this, Kuljit brought Rekha to Mumbai and signed her to work in the film industry for five years. She went on to star in films such as Do Shikaari (1979).
- In 2013, Kuljit Pal and Mahesh Bhatt were involved in a dispute over the remake rights of the film Als (1982). Kuljit claimed in an interview that Mahesh gave Pakistani producer Shahn’s unauthorized permission to remake their classic film. Kugit said of this in an interview,
Mahesh Bhatt appears to have committed the crime of misleading the Pakistani producers by allocating to them the rights to Arth which legally belong exclusively to us. You are advised not to deal with Sri Mahesh Bhatt for Ars. “
Mahesh Bhatt, on the other hand, has a different view. In an interview, he claimed that he was approached by Pakistani superstar Shahn and asked not to object to the Urdu remake of Ars. He further said that he had no objection and believed it would boost India-Pakistan relations.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education