Mehul Kumar

Last updated

Mehul Kumar
Born
Mohammed Ibrahim Baloch

(1949-07-01) 1 July 1949 (age 74)
Alma mater Bombay University [1]
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, writer, journalist
Years active1977-present
Children3

Mohammed Ibrahim Baloch (or Bloch; born 1949), better known as Mehul Kumar, is an Indian filmmaker and writer in Bollywood. [2] [3] He is known for directing the films Tirangaa (1992), Krantiveer (1993) and Kohram (1999). [1] His other works include Mrityudaata (1997) and Kitne Door Kitne Paas (2002) among others as well as several Gujarati films.

Contents

Early life and work

Mehul Kumar was born as Mohammed Baloch into a Makrani Baloch family in the city of Jamnagar, Gujarat in 1949. Graduating from Bombay University he started as a journalist during the early 1970s which included writing film reviews. He then moved to work in Gujarati theatre. [1]

Career

He made his directorial debut with a Gujarati comedy Chandu Jamadar (1977), a remake of Dada Kondke's highly successful lowbrow Marathi comedy Pandu Havaldar (1975). [1] Though it was Kumar's 1977 bilingual Hindi-Gujarati film Phir Janam Lenge Hum / Janam Janam Na Saathi [4] [5] produced by Tahir Hussain which first gained recognition. After its success, Kumar directed eighteen successful Gujarati films over the years.

Kumar then made his second Hindi project Anokha Bandhan (1982). After that he directed films with actors like Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Shabana Azmi, Madhuri Dixit, Shatrughan Sinha, Mehmood and Feroz Khan among others.

Then came Kumar's blockbuster golden jubilee hit Marte Dam Tak (1987) which starred Raaj Kumar, Govinda and Farah. Jungbaaz , Nafrat Ki Aandhi and a string of back-to-back films followed in the 1980s. In the '90s he made commercially successful films like Tirangaa (1992) starring Raaj Kumar and Nana Patekar. Then followed Krantiveer (1993) based on the Bombay riots. Krantiveer was a blockbuster with Patekar winning a National Film Award for his performance. [1]

Kumar then directed ABCL's debut venture Mrityudaata (1997) which was Amitabh Bachan's comeback film after five years, but it emerged as a box-office failure. He brought Nana Patekar and Amitabh Bachchan together in Kohram (1999). Although it was commercially unsuccessful as well, it is remembered for the performances of its lead actors. He then made Kitne Door Kitne Paas (2002), which fared well. His next film Jaago (2004) was based on a real life incident and was one of the first films to raise awareness about rape in India. His last film was Krantiveer: The Revolution (2010) starred his daughter Jahan Bloch in the lead role and was a sequel to Krantiveer.

He has also produced some of his films like Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Kohram and Jaago. Other actors which have appeared and collaborated with Kumar on film projects include Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor.

Personal life and family

Kumar runs Mehul Cinemax, a film theatre in Jamnagar owned by his production company Mehul Entertainments Private Limited. [6]

His brother Hussain Bloch is a film director in Gujarati cinema and has also worked with Kumar in many of his films. [7] Kumar's daughter Jahan Bloch appeared as the lead in Krantiveer's sequel Krantiveer: The Revolution (2010). She had previously appeared as a child actress in his films. Having since moved to Prince Edward's Island with her chef husband, she now runs a bakery while also working as a filmmaker. [8] His son Zoheb Mohammed Bloch has assisted Kumar as a director in films. He has another daughter Shameem Khan, a costume designer, and a brother production manager Mohamed Bloch; both of whom have worked with Kumar on his films. [3]

Filmography

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2010Krantiveer: The Revolution Hindi Also writer of screenplay, story and dialogues
2004 Jaago HindiAlso producer
2002 Kitne Door Kitne Paas HindiAlso producer, writer of screenplay and story
1999 Kohram HindiAlso producer
1997 Mrityudaata HindiAlso writer of screenplay and story
1997 Lahu Ke Do Rang HindiAlso writer of screenplay and story
1994 Krantiveer HindiAlso producer
1993 Aasoo Bane Angaarey Hindi
1992 Tirangaa HindiAlso producer
1991 Paap Ki Aandhi Hindi
1991 Meet Mere Man Ke Hindi
1989 Na-Insaafi Hindi
1989 Jungbaaz HindiAlso story writer
1989 Asmaan Se Ooncha Hindi
1989 Nafrat Ki Aandhi Hindi
1987 Marte Dam Tak Hindi
1986Sayba Mora Gujarati
1986Ujali MeramanGujarati
1985Bhauji Maay Maithili
1985 Meru Malan Gujarati
1985Preet Na Karsho KoiGujarati
1984 Love Marriage Hindi
1984Hiran Ne KantheGujarati
1983Dhola MaruGujaratiAlso writer
1983Marad No MandvoGujarati
1982 Anokha Bandhan Hindi
1982DholiGujarati
1982Kanchan Aur GangaHindi
1982Maa Vina Soona SansarGujarati
1982Naseeb No KhelGujarati
1981Gamdani GoriGujaratiAlso writer
1981Garvi Naar GujaratanGujarati
1981RanchandiGujarati
1979RajputaniGujarati
1978Kanchan Ane GangaGujarati
1977Chandu JamadarGujarati
1977 Phir Janam Lenge Hum / Janam Janam Na Saathi Hindi/GujaratiBilingual film

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shashi Kapoor</span> Indian film actor, producer (1938–2017)

Shashi Kapoor was an Indian actor and film producer who is best known for his works in Hindi films. A recipient of several accolades, including four National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards, he also featured in a number of English-language international films, particularly films produced by Merchant Ivory. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2011, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 2014, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filmfare Award for Best Actor</span> Award

The Filmfare Award for Best Actor is an award, which is presented annually at the Filmfare Awards to an actor via a jury; it is given by Filmfare for Hindi (Bollywood) films. The award was first given in 1954. The most recent winner, as of 2024, is Ranbir Kapoor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor</span> Indian film award category

The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role. Although the awards started in 1954, awards for the best supporting actor category started only the following year 1955. As of 2023, Anil Kapoor leads the list, with four wins. Vivek Oberoi currently also holds the record of being the youngest recipient of the award, whereas Anil Kapoor holds the record for being the eldest, while Abhishek Bachchan holds the record for winning the award thrice consecutively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nana Patekar</span> Indian film actor

Vishwanath Patekar, better known as Nana Patekar, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, film maker, and a former Indian Territorial Army officer, mainly working in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He is regarded as one of the finest and influential actors in Indian Cinema, Patekar is recipient of three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards and two Filmfare Awards Marathi for his acting performances. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri award in 2013 for his contribution in cinema and arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IIFA Award for Best Actor</span> Indian film awards

The IIFA Award for Best Actor recognizes leading male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The recipient is chosen by viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prakash Mehra</span> Indian film producer and director

Prakash Mehra was a legendary Indian film director and producer known for his work in Hindi films. He was one of the pioneers of masala films, along with Nasir Hussain, and Manmohan Desai. His collaborations with the actor Amitabh Bachchan resulted in several box office blockbusters and classics.

<i>Ab Dilli Dur Nahin</i> (1957 film) 1957 Indian film

Ab Dilli Dur Nahin is a 1957 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Amar Kumar and written by Rajinder Singh Bedi and Muhafiz Hyder. The film was produced by Raj Kapoor and starred Yakub, Anwar Hussain, Motilal, Nand Kishore and Jagdeep, and, in very minor role, Amjad Khan.

<i>Mr. Natwarlal</i> 1979 Indian film

Mr. Natwarlal is a 1979 Indian Hindi action comedy film produced by Tony Glaad and directed by Rakesh Kumar. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Ajit, Kader Khan, Amjad Khan and the music is by Rajesh Roshan, the songs are written by Anand Bakshi. The highlight of the film was a children's song sung by Amitabh Bachchan. Tony Glaad decided to take them as the writers of the film. The film was shot in Kashmir with most of the shooting done in Beerwah, Jammu and Kashmir

Shabbir Kumar is an Indian playback singer, notable for his work in Bollywood. Known for his sweet and resonating vocal texture, Shabbir Kumar is an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi. He has sung for Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Chunky Pandey, Dharmendra, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammed Aziz</span> Musical artist

Mohammed Aziz, also known as Munna, was an Indian multilingual playback singer who primarily sang for the Bollywood, Odia films, Bengali. He sang about twenty thousand songs, including Bhajans, Sufi devotional songs and other genres in more than ten different Indian languages. He made his first appearance in films Odia film titled Jaga Hatare Pagha directed by Mohammad Mohsin, with the song Rupa Sagadi re Suna Kaniya. Later he the sung most numbers of songs in Odia and for Ollywood Actor Siddhanta Mahapatra. Later he appeared with a Hindi film titled Ambar (1984) and his two prominent songs, including "Mard Tangewala" composed by Anu Malik were introduced in Mard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shafi Inamdar</span> Indian actor

Shafi Inamdar was an Indian actor. He started his film career with the film Vijeta and continued it in Ardh Satya. He acted in a number of television serials including Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. His most notable film roles include the inspector in Aaj Ki Awaz, the villain in Awam and the friend of the hero in films like Nazrana, Anokha Rishta, Amrit. Some of his other films are Kudrat Ka Kanoon, Jurm, Sadaa Suhagan and Love 86, all successful.

<i>Krantiveer</i> 1994 Hindi film by Mehul Kumar

Krantiveer is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language action crime film directed and produced by Mehul Kumar. The film stars Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Atul Agnihotri, Mamta Kulkarni in the lead roles. Farida Jalal, Paresh Rawal, Tinu Anand, Danny Denzongpa are in supporting roles. It became the third highest-grossing film of the year, additionally winning three Star Screen Awards, four Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award.

Fir Janam Lenge Hum/Janam Janam Na Saathi is a bilingual Hindi-Gujarati film directed by Mehul Kumar. It was debut film of the director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Balki</span> Indian filmmaker, screenwriter

R. Balakrishnan, popularly known as R. Balki, is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and former Group Chairman of the advertising agency Lowe Lintas (India). He is best known for directing the films Cheeni Kum (2007), Paa (2009), Pad Man (2018), Chup: Revenge of The Artist (2022), and Ghoomer (2023).

The 40th Filmfare Awards were held on 25 February 1995.

<i>Tirangaa</i> (film) 1993 Indian action drama film by Mehul Kumar

Tirangaa (transl. Tricolour) is a 1993 Indian action drama film starring Raaj Kumar, Nana Patekar, Varsha Usgaonkar, Harish Kumar and Mamta Kulkarni. The movie was a blockbuster. At the time of 1993 Bombay bombings, Plaza cinema, Mumbai was also bombed where the movie was being shown, leaving 10 dead and 37 injured.

<i>Kohram</i> 1999 Indian Hindi action film

Kohram is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Mehul Kumar. It features an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Jaya Prada, Tabu, Mukul Dev, Mukesh Rishi, Danny Denzongpa, Jackie Shroff, Kabir Bedi and Ayesha Jhulka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puru Raaj Kumar</span> Indian actor (born 1970)

Puru Raaj Kumar is an Indian actor who works in Bollywood films. He is the son of actor Raaj Kumar and is married to Croatian model Koraljika Grdak.

Baloch people in India are citizens or residents of India who are of Baloch ancestry. They originate from the Balochistan region of neighbouring Pakistan, and are part of the Baloch diaspora.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mehul Kumar. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. indiancine.ma.
  2. Mrityudaata director in legal soup. Hindustan Times .
  3. 1 2 Mohamed Ibrahim Bloch. Open Corporates .
  4. Narwekar, Sanjit (1994). Directory of Indian Film-makers and Films. Flicks Books. p. 182. ISBN   978-0-948911-40-8.
  5. Deep, Maan Singh (2020). Bollywwod Secrets. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. ISBN   978-93-5296-655-4.
  6. About. mehulcinemax.com.
  7. We are still working on the subject: Hussain Bloch. Times of India .
  8. PEI filmmaker Jahan Bloch's feature film. CBC.ca .