Prakash Mehra, a legendary filmmaker of Indian Cinema, was born on July 13, 1939, in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Amitabh Bachchan," a title he never truly accepted, as he believed he was nobody's godfather. Despite this, fate brought together talent and talent, leading to the creation of history.
Mehra's journey began from scratch, as he ran away from his home and village to start a new life in Bombay in the early 1950s. With just 13 rupees in his pocket, he began sleeping on railway stations, eventually finding work on Hindi cinema sets, starting as a tea server and later becoming a production controller, assistant, and more.
Despite never being formally educated beyond grade 5, Mehra had a knack for writing and penning his emotions, influenced by his experiences as an orphan child who lost both parents at a young age. His creativity and hard work eventually earned him recognition, leading to his directorial debut with Haseena Maan Jayegi in 1968, starring Shashi Kapoor and Babita.
Mehra's subsequent films, including Mela (1971) and Samadhi (1972),were successful, but it was his collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan that changed the course of Indian cinema history. Mehra released Zanjeer in 1973, which was initially intended to star Dharmendra but was instead offered to Bachchan, who was relatively unknown at the time.
The film's release was met with skepticism, with distributors doubting its success and trade pundits writing off Mehra's career. However, the film's success was unprecedented, and it launched Bachchan's career as a superstar. The duo went on to create six more massive blockbusters: Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halaal, and Sharaabi.
Mehra's team included some of the best talent in the industry, including music maestro duo Kalyanji Anandji, lyricists Anjaan and Salim Javed, and composers Bappi Lahiri and Kader Khan. He also considered Amjad Khan, Pran, Raj Kapoor, and Kalyanji Anandji as close friends and colleagues.
Mehra's final collaboration with Bachchan was Jaadugar, which bombed at the box office, marking the end of an era of unparalleled success. He went on to produce and direct Zindagi Ek Juaa in 1991 and Dalal in 1993, both of which were successful.
Throughout his career, Mehra received numerous awards and accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006 and a Lifetime Achievement as Producer from IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers Association) in 2008.
Prakash Mehra passed away on May 17, 2009, at the age of 70, due to complications from pneumonia and multiple organ failure. His legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and cinephiles alike.
