Manmohan Desai (1937-1994) was a popular Indian film director and producer who had one of the most successful careers in filmmaking during the 1970s and 1980s. He directed and produced Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Dharam Veer (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981), Coolie (1983) and Mard ( 1985) and other movies. He died on 1 March 1994 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Wiki/Biography
Manmohan Desai was born on Friday, February 26, 1937, in Bombay, the Presidency of British India (now Mumbai, Maharashtra). He was 57 years old. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He is an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′ 5″
Weight (approximately): 50 kg
Hair color: black
Eye Color: Black
Manmohan Desai and actor Rishi Kapoor
family
Parents and siblings
Manmohan’s father, Kikubai, was an Indian film producer who owned Paramount Studios, later known as Filmalaya (1931-1941). His credits mainly include stunt or action films such as The Circus Queen, The Golden Gang and Sheikh Chilli. Manmohan’s older brother Subhash became a producer in the 50’s and made his film debut in the film Chhalia (1960). His brother went on to direct with Manmohan on such films as Bluff Master (1963), Dharam Veer (1977) and Desh Premee (1982).
wife and children
Manmohan Desai’s husband, Jiwan Prabha Gandhi, is the screenwriter for films directed by Manmohan, including Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Roti (1974), Dharam Veer (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Coolie (1983). She also wrote screenplays for such films as Uthaman (1976) directed by Rajendra Prasad and Ram Robert Raheem (1980) directed by Vijaya Nirmala. Manmohan lost his wife in April 1979. They have a son, Ketan Desai, who, like his father, is a screenwriter, film director and producer. Kotan directed films such as “Allah-Rakha” (1986), “Toofan” (1989) and “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977). Ketan’s wife Kanchan is the daughter of actor Shammi Kapoor and actress Geeta Bali.
Manmohan Desai with daughter-in-law Kanchan Kapoor and son Ketan Desai.
other relatives
His nephew Danny Desai (son of Subhash Desai) was an assistant director and special effects technician. After quitting the film industry, he started working as a pilot.
Relationships/Affairs
A few years after his wife passed away, Manmohan fell in love with actress Nanda in the late 80s. They became engaged, but Desai died at his home in Mumbai two years after the engagement. Nanda’s younger brother Jeprakash recalled his sister’s love story with Manmohan in an interview. He said Manmohan’s son Kotan united his father with Nanda with the help of actor Vahida Rayman. Japrakash recalled,
So Vahidaj organized a small dinner. After dinner, they left Didi and Manji alone. Manji then expressed his affection to Didi, saying: “I want to marry you”. Dee Dee said she would have to consult family first. I was the first person to discuss the offer with her when she returned that evening. I say Manji is a respected filmmaker, a wonderful person, a charming personality and she should continue. “I want to see you settle down,” I said. Gradually, the family also got involved. After getting approval, Didi called Vahidaj and offered her support. The second meeting was held here. Diddy wanted a traditional wedding. ”
Profession
Movie
Manmohan Desai has made a great contribution to Indian cinema. He had a long 29-year career with 13 landmark hits. He started his directing and screenwriting career with the 1957 film “Janam Janam Ke Phere”. He then directed and produced the film “Chaalia”, which was released in 1960.
Poster of the movie Chhalia
He is popular for making home movies and masala movies. He was close with actor Amitabh Bachchan and directed many of his films.
Manmohan Desai and actor Amitabh Bachchan
He has also collaborated with leading authors such as RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji. Most of the songs in the film Desai produced and directed were sung by Laxmi Kante-Piareal and Mohed. Rafi Manmohan’s romantic comedies Bluffmaster (1963) and Kismat (1968) were hits; action films such as Sachaa Jhutha (1970) and Dharam Veer (1977); action comedies such as Amar Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981), Coolie (1983) and Mard (1985).
Movie Poster – Master of Bluff
Stills from the movie “Amar Akbar Anthony”
Movie Poster – Coolie (1983)
die
On March 1, 1994, Manmohan Desai died in Girgaon, Mumbai. Any details relating to the nature of Manmohan’s death have so far remained a mystery. He fell to his death from a flat balcony after a railing collapsed in Gilgaon, Mumbai. It was not immediately clear whether the incident was an accident or a suicide.
Facts/Trivia
- Ram Sheshadri Iyengar, Emraan Hashmi’s great-grandfather, worked as an accountant in Manmohan’s father’s office.
- In 1963, Manmohan set out to make a film “Chhoti Si Duniya” starring Raj Kapoor and Nuthan. However, the film failed to materialize and was eventually canceled due to investors withdrawing their funds.
- In 1983, Manmohan Desai planned to direct a film called Rani Architecture starring Rati Agnihotri. The plan was to produce the film in five different languages; however, the project never materialized.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education