Kundan Shah
Encyclopedia
Kundan Shah is an India
n film director
and writer
.
He is most known for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
(1983) and his 1985-1986, TV series Nukkad
with Saeed Akhtar Mirza
.
in Pune
and he developed an interest in the comedy
genre.
His directional debut was the comedy film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
(aka Who Pays the Piper) in 1983. He also took part in the writing of the film, along with Satish Kaushik. The film introduced a new kind of slapstick
comedy into the Indian cinema for the first time and was well recognized.
Shah then started to work in television. He was one of the directors of the popular sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi
, which started telecast in August 1984. He became a partner of Iskra, a company founded by Saeed Akhtar Mirza
, Aziz Mirza
and others. In 1985-1986 he directed the TV series Nukkad
(street) along with Saeed Akhtar Mirza
. The serial was another folk comedy dealing with the routine life of street youngsters.
After directing several serials, Shah took a long break of 7 years from cinema.
Shah made his comeback to cinema in 1993. He directed the famous Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
and wrote the screenplay for the film. The film was another comic love story but it also displayed new aspects to its credit - it was the first time that the hero in the film was an absolute loser. The film starred Shahrukh Khan
in one of his first roles. The film was much acclaimed and both Shah and Khan were appreciated for their work. In 1994, Shah won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie
for the film. He was the first filmmaker to win this award.
In 1998, Shah directed another acclaimed film, Kya Kehna
. Due to delay, the film released in 2000 and became the surprise hit of the year. The film dealt with a social controversial issue - single parenthood. Actress Preity Zinta
debuted in this film and enacted the lead role of a teenage single-mother who tries to overcome the wrong values of her society. Zinta's performance was also acclaimed. The film also starred Saif Ali Khan
and Chandrachur Singh
.
Shah's next releases were Hum To Mohabbat Karega
(2000) starring Bobby Deol
and Karisma Kapoor
, Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) with Rekha and Preity Zinta
, and the last one, Ek Se Badhkar Ek in 2004.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
He is most known for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
This article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC...
(1983) and his 1985-1986, TV series Nukkad
Nukkad
Nukkad was the name of a popular Hindi TV serial that aired on the Indian Television channel DD National in 1986 - 87. It was co-directed by Kundan Shah and Saeed Akhtar Mirza, and was written by Prabodh Joshi....
with Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza is an Indian screenwriter and director in Hindi films and television. He is the maker of important Parallel cinema films like Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! , Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai , Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro and Naseem , which won two National Film Awards in 1996.He is...
.
Biography
Shah studied direction at the Film and Television Institute of IndiaFilm and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
and he developed an interest in the comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
genre.
His directional debut was the comedy film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
This article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC...
(aka Who Pays the Piper) in 1983. He also took part in the writing of the film, along with Satish Kaushik. The film introduced a new kind of slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
comedy into the Indian cinema for the first time and was well recognized.
Shah then started to work in television. He was one of the directors of the popular sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi
Yeh jo hai zindagi
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi was a popular comedy sitcom on Indian television, aired for the first time in 1984. It was written by comedy writer Sharad Joshi and directed by S. S...
, which started telecast in August 1984. He became a partner of Iskra, a company founded by Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza is an Indian screenwriter and director in Hindi films and television. He is the maker of important Parallel cinema films like Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! , Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai , Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro and Naseem , which won two National Film Awards in 1996.He is...
, Aziz Mirza
Aziz Mirza
Aziz Mirza is an Indian film director and writer.-Biography:Mirza started his career in 1985 when he joined his brother Saeed Mirza and veteran director Kundan Shah to set a new production company called Iskra....
and others. In 1985-1986 he directed the TV series Nukkad
Nukkad
Nukkad was the name of a popular Hindi TV serial that aired on the Indian Television channel DD National in 1986 - 87. It was co-directed by Kundan Shah and Saeed Akhtar Mirza, and was written by Prabodh Joshi....
(street) along with Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saeed Akhtar Mirza is an Indian screenwriter and director in Hindi films and television. He is the maker of important Parallel cinema films like Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! , Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai , Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro and Naseem , which won two National Film Awards in 1996.He is...
. The serial was another folk comedy dealing with the routine life of street youngsters.
After directing several serials, Shah took a long break of 7 years from cinema.
Shah made his comeback to cinema in 1993. He directed the famous Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is a 1993 Indian Bollywood film directed by Kundan Shah, and starring Shahrukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, and Deepak Tijori. This is one of the rare mainstream Hindi movies in which the hero plays the role of a loser...
and wrote the screenplay for the film. The film was another comic love story but it also displayed new aspects to its credit - it was the first time that the hero in the film was an absolute loser. The film starred Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
in one of his first roles. The film was much acclaimed and both Shah and Khan were appreciated for their work. In 1994, Shah won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie
The Filmfare Awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1953. Movie awards were first given by popular vote...
for the film. He was the first filmmaker to win this award.
In 1998, Shah directed another acclaimed film, Kya Kehna
Kya Kehna
-Awards:* Filmfare Best Story Award - Honey Irani* IIFA Award for Technical Excellence - Best Screenplay - Farhan Akhtar* Sansui Best Actress Award - Preity Zinta...
. Due to delay, the film released in 2000 and became the surprise hit of the year. The film dealt with a social controversial issue - single parenthood. Actress Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
debuted in this film and enacted the lead role of a teenage single-mother who tries to overcome the wrong values of her society. Zinta's performance was also acclaimed. The film also starred Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the late former Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan....
and Chandrachur Singh
Chandrachur Singh
Chandrachur Singh is an Indian actor, who appeared in Bollywood films.-Early life:Chandrachur Singh is a native of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He was born on 11 October 1968 in New Delhi, India. He belongs to a very affluent family. His father is an ex-MLA from Aligarh and his mother is the daughter...
.
Shah's next releases were Hum To Mohabbat Karega
Hum To Mohabbat Karega
Hum Toh Mohabbat Karega is a 2000 Bollywood thriller-comedy film. It was the first time Karishma Kapoor and Bobby Deol were paired.-Summary:...
(2000) starring Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol is a Bollywood actor. Deol is the son of the acclaimed Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol, also a successful actor in the Mumbai based Indian film industry....
and Karisma Kapoor
Karisma Kapoor
Karisma Kapoor , often informally referred to as Lolo, is an Indian actress who made her debut in 1991, and appears in Bollywood films. During her career, she has been part of many commercially and critically successful films, Raja Hindustani being the most notable of them, as it was her biggest...
, Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) with Rekha and Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
, and the last one, Ek Se Badhkar Ek in 2004.
Awards
- Filmfare Critics Award for Best MovieFilmfare Critics Award for Best MovieThe Filmfare Awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1953. Movie awards were first given by popular vote...
- Kabhi Haan Kabhi NaaKabhi Haan Kabhi NaaKabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is a 1993 Indian Bollywood film directed by Kundan Shah, and starring Shahrukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, and Deepak Tijori. This is one of the rare mainstream Hindi movies in which the hero plays the role of a loser... - National Film AwardNational Film AwardsThe National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
- Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a DirectorIndira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a DirectorThe Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director is a National Film Award - Golden Lotus Award, given to a feature film director's first film.The National Film Award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director winners:...
- Jaane Bhi Do YaaroJaane Bhi Do YaaroThis article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC...
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro This article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC... |
Director, Writer |
| 1985 | Khamosh Khamosh Khamosh is 1985 Indian thriller directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.The film starred Bollywood actors such as Naseerudin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Amol Palekar, Soni Razdan and Pankaj Kapoor. It, however, did not do well at the box office.... |
Writer |
| 1986 | "Nukkad Nukkad Nukkad was the name of a popular Hindi TV serial that aired on the Indian Television channel DD National in 1986 - 87. It was co-directed by Kundan Shah and Saeed Akhtar Mirza, and was written by Prabodh Joshi.... " TV series |
Director |
| 1993 | Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is a 1993 Indian Bollywood film directed by Kundan Shah, and starring Shahrukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, and Deepak Tijori. This is one of the rare mainstream Hindi movies in which the hero plays the role of a loser... |
Director, Writer |
| 2000 | Kya Kehna Kya Kehna -Awards:* Filmfare Best Story Award - Honey Irani* IIFA Award for Technical Excellence - Best Screenplay - Farhan Akhtar* Sansui Best Actress Award - Preity Zinta... |
Director |
| 2000 | Hum To Mohabbat Karega Hum To Mohabbat Karega Hum Toh Mohabbat Karega is a 2000 Bollywood thriller-comedy film. It was the first time Karishma Kapoor and Bobby Deol were paired.-Summary:... |
Director, Writer |
| 2002 | Dil Hai Tumhara | Director, Writer |
| 2004 | Ek Se Badhkar Ek | Director |
| 2005 | The Three Sisters | Director |