Death of Prakash Mehra.
The viewers of bollywood films pay homage to the departed soul of Prakash Mehra, who died today in 2009. He was considered as one of the leading directors who had shown the path of making action films in India.
His film Zanjeer, made Amitabh Bacchan, who was also called Big B, the megastar of Indian cinema. He gave him the role of a brave policer who never feared any law-breaker. He fought his way out against Ajit and his men with the help a pathan played by Pran. The film released in 1973, changed the shape and colour of bollywood films.
After the success of Zanjeer, Yash Chopra made Deewar, Ramesh Sippy made Sholay, Subhash Ghai made Kalicharan, which stand out as the landmarks of action films in Indian cinema. Those actors who were known for their romantic performances in the 60s, became famous as action heroes in the mid-70s. Sunil Dutt was sublime in Zakhmee, Feroz Khan evergreen in Dharmatma, Dharmender brilliant in Charas and Jugnu, Vinod Khanna successful in Burning Train.
Prakash Mehra’s other film Muqaddar ka Sikander, created Big B and Vinod Khanna as the greatest superstar of the 70s. Big B lived as an orphan in the film but became a big don who cared for the poor people. He loved Rakhee, who had soft corner for Vinod Khanna. At the end of the film to save Rakhee and others, Big B fought against Amzad Khan’s men and died. The song “rote hue jaate hai sab” sung by Kishore Kumar and Rafi and composed by Kalyanji Anandji, became super hit.
Lawaarish was one of the other super hit films of Prakash Mehra and Big B. Big B lived the life of an orphan. Big B made the song “mere angneme” equally famous by lending his own voice. Prakash Mehra’s other hit films include Namak Halal, Sharabi with Big B, Mela with Feroz Khan and Haseena Maan Jayegi with Shashi Kapoor.
Prakash Mehra was known in the last few years as the maker of the films Munna Bhai and Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
Munna Bhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai was the story of a local don Munna Bhai played by Sanjay Dutt. He came a doctor in Munna Bhai MBBS, while he did gandhigiri in Lage Raho Munnabhai. Both the films became super hit and created a successful beginning and created a path for making sequels.
Prakash Mehra’s films should be restored and preserved to remember him as the trendsetter of action films in India.