Manish Jha
Encyclopedia
Manish Jha is an India
n film director and screenwriter, most known for his films, A Very Very Silent Film (2001) and Matrubhoomi-A Nation Without Women (2003) which won him critical acclaim.
, in West Champaran district of Bihar, Jha grew up in Delhi
where he had moved at an early age. He did his gradutaion in English from Ramjas College
, Delhi University, where he also joined its theatre group aiming to become an actor.
. Meanwhile he also assisted Prakash Jha
in Rahul
(2001) and Anil Kumaar Sharma in Kaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar Hai
(2003).
Thereafter he made his feature debut with Matrubhoomi (2003) about effects of female infanticide, which won a series of awards and critical acclaim. At the 2003 Venice Film Festival, it was presented in the Critic's Week (Parallel section) and later awarded the FIPRESCI
Award "For it's important theme on women's issues and female infanticide handled with sensitivity by a first-time director".
His next was Anwar (2007), a film set in Lucknow, about stereotyping of Muslims in the post 9/11 era, the film was inspired his own experience in New York when according to him, two day after the 9/11 while walking on the road, he was detained by the police and interrogated for five hours, since he was unshaven and had long hairs and looked like a Muslim man. In 2008, he directed the segment title, "And it Rained" in anthology film, with 11 directors, Mumbai Cutting
, which became the closing film of 10th Osian's Cinefan Festival
in Delhi.
He next directed a two-hour yoga DVD, Shilpa’s Yoga (2008) for actress Shilpa Shetty
, shot against the coastal backdrop of Kerala.
His upcoming project, Manjhi was announced in July 2010, is based on the real life story of Dashrath Manjhi
also known as "Mountain Man" in a town in Bihar, who over a period of 22 year single-handedly to carve out a path through an entire mountain, the film is produced by Sanjay Singh, who previously produced Udaan
(2010) and Manoj Bajpai
is slated to play the lead, while the script remains under development.
, he was asked to first cut off his long hair.
Screenwriter
Assistant director
Matruboomi
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 and screenwriter, most known for his films, A Very Very Silent Film (2001) and Matrubhoomi-A Nation Without Women (2003) which won him critical acclaim.
Early life and education
Born in BettiahBettiah
Bettiah is the headquarters of West Champaran district in the state of Bihar, near the Indo-Nepal border, 225 Kilometres north-west of Patna. Bettiah, pronounced as 'Betiya', derived its name from 'baint'...
, in West Champaran district of Bihar, Jha grew up in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
where he had moved at an early age. He did his gradutaion in English from Ramjas College
Ramjas College
Ramjas College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University...
, Delhi University, where he also joined its theatre group aiming to become an actor.
Career
After completing his studies, Jha moved to Mumbai and began working as an assistant director in television serials hoping to get a break. When the break never came, to made a five-minute documentary on the homeless putting in Rs 30,000, A Very Very Silent Film, which won the Jury Prize for the Best Short Film at the 2002 Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. Meanwhile he also assisted Prakash Jha
Prakash Jha
Prakash Jha is an Indian film producer-director-screenwriter, who is most known for his political and socio-political films such as Damul , Mrityudand , Gangaajal , Apaharan and multistarrer hit movie Raajneeti...
in Rahul
Rahul (film)
Rahul is an Indian Emotional Drama film directed and produced by Prakash Jha. The film stars Neha, Neena Kulkarni and Gulshan Grover in leadroles.-Sypnosis:...
(2001) and Anil Kumaar Sharma in Kaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar Hai
Kaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar Hai
Kaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar Hai is a 2003 Bollywood film. It stars Amit Hingorani, Dharmendra, and Farida Jalal. The movie was directed by Anil Kumaar Sharma and produced by Arjun Hingorani.- Plot :...
(2003).
Thereafter he made his feature debut with Matrubhoomi (2003) about effects of female infanticide, which won a series of awards and critical acclaim. At the 2003 Venice Film Festival, it was presented in the Critic's Week (Parallel section) and later awarded the FIPRESCI
FIPRESCI
The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Award "For it's important theme on women's issues and female infanticide handled with sensitivity by a first-time director".
His next was Anwar (2007), a film set in Lucknow, about stereotyping of Muslims in the post 9/11 era, the film was inspired his own experience in New York when according to him, two day after the 9/11 while walking on the road, he was detained by the police and interrogated for five hours, since he was unshaven and had long hairs and looked like a Muslim man. In 2008, he directed the segment title, "And it Rained" in anthology film, with 11 directors, Mumbai Cutting
Mumbai Cutting
Mumbai Cutting is a 2010 anthology Indian film comprising eleven short films, telling eleven different stories based on life in Mumbai, which are directed by a host of eleven directors: Anurag Kashyap, Sudhir Mishra, Rahul Dholakia, Kundan Shah, Revathy, Jahnu Barua, Rituparno Ghosh, Shashanka...
, which became the closing film of 10th Osian's Cinefan Festival
Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema
Osian's-Cinefan, the largest film-festival devoted to Asian and Arab cinema, is part of Osian's Film House Division. The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2008.-History:...
in Delhi.
He next directed a two-hour yoga DVD, Shilpa’s Yoga (2008) for actress Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar , she has appeared in nearly 40 Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, her first leading role being in the 1994 Aag. Although she has been through years of decline during her career, Shetty has been...
, shot against the coastal backdrop of Kerala.
His upcoming project, Manjhi was announced in July 2010, is based on the real life story of Dashrath Manjhi
Dashrath Manjhi
Dashrath Manjhi was born in 1934 into a poor labourer family in Gahlour village near Gaya in Bihar. Dashrath Manjhi was also known as Mountain Man....
also known as "Mountain Man" in a town in Bihar, who over a period of 22 year single-handedly to carve out a path through an entire mountain, the film is produced by Sanjay Singh, who previously produced Udaan
Udaan (2010 film)
Udaan is a 2010 Hindi film produced by Sanjay Singh, Anurag Kashyap, and Ronnie Screwvala; and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The film was officially selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard category at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.- Plot :17-year-old Rohan is expelled from the reputed...
(2010) and Manoj Bajpai
Manoj Bajpai
Manoj Bajpai , also credited as Manoj Bajpayee, is an Indian film actor, known for playing offbeat and unconventional roles. He first shot into fame with his breakthrough role in Ram Gopal Varma's 1998 film Satya.-Early life:...
is slated to play the lead, while the script remains under development.
Personal life
Growing up he always wanted was to keep his hair long and act, though when tried enter the theatre group at Delhi’s Ramjas CollegeRamjas College
Ramjas College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University...
, he was asked to first cut off his long hair.
Filmography
Director- A Very Very Silent Film (2001) (short)
- Matrubhoomi (2005)
- Anwar (2007)
- Mumbai CuttingMumbai CuttingMumbai Cutting is a 2010 anthology Indian film comprising eleven short films, telling eleven different stories based on life in Mumbai, which are directed by a host of eleven directors: Anurag Kashyap, Sudhir Mishra, Rahul Dholakia, Kundan Shah, Revathy, Jahnu Barua, Rituparno Ghosh, Shashanka...
(segment "And It Rained") (2010)
Screenwriter
- Matrubhoomi (2005)
- Anwar (2007)
Assistant director
- RahulRahul (film)Rahul is an Indian Emotional Drama film directed and produced by Prakash Jha. The film stars Neha, Neena Kulkarni and Gulshan Grover in leadroles.-Sypnosis:...
(2001) - Kaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar HaiKaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar HaiKaise Kahoon Ke... Pyaar Hai is a 2003 Bollywood film. It stars Amit Hingorani, Dharmendra, and Farida Jalal. The movie was directed by Anil Kumaar Sharma and produced by Arjun Hingorani.- Plot :...
(2003)
Awards
A Very Very Silent Film- Jury Prize for the Best Short Film at the 2002 Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
Matruboomi
- FIPRESCIFIPRESCIThe International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Award in Parallel Section at the Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
2003 - Audience Award for Best Film at the Kozlin Film Festival 2003, Poland
- Audience Award for Best Foreign Film at Thessaloniki Film Festival, 2003
- Nominated for Golden Alexander (Best Film) at Thessaloniki Film Festival, 2003
- Audience Award for Best Film at River to River. Florence Indian Film FestivalRiver to River. Florence Indian Film FestivalRiver to River. Florence Indian Film Festival is an annual film festival in Florence, Italy that showcases independent and low-budget Indian films...
, 2003