By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Prakash Mehra, the celebrated film maker needs no introduction at all. One of the pioneers of action-oriented ‘masala films’, Mehra lost his parents when he was young and spent years with his aunt residing in Delhi. His penchant to become a song-writer fashioned his entry in the tinsel town where he initially struggled hard to make a grade for himself. He worked odd jobs including Controller of Production in a number of films His perseverance paid rich dividened as he was asked to direct “Haseena Maan Jayegi” (1968) featuring Shashi Kapoor, Babita and Ameeta . It turned out to be a musical hit with soulfully delightful songs like ” Bekhudi Main Sanam” & “Chale The Saath Milkar” composed under the baton of Kalyanji Anandji. The film collected two crore on the box office front worldwide equivalent to 80 crore at present exchange value.

Prakash Mehra took a calculated risk when he signed a newcomer Amitabh Bachchan, to play an angry young police Inspector in “Zanzeer”. The film set a new trend and did wonders for the whole team including Saleem-Javed who wrote the script.Prakash Mehra had earlier approached,Dlip Kumar,Dev Anand & Raj Kumar to portray the character but none of them seemed too inclined.The film collected about 18 crore wordlwide.Amitabh Bachchan rose like the proverbial ‘phoenix from the ashes’ and ruled the roost in the tinsel town in the years that followed. His other super-duper hits include- ” Hera Pheri” ( 1976),” Muqaddar Ka Sikandar”(1978),” Lalwaaris” ( 1981), “Namak Halaal” ( 1982) & “Sharaabi” (1984).Mehra’s ” Jaadugar” ( 1989) starring Amitabh, Jaya prada and Amrita Singh faired badly at the box office. Mehra occupied the entire Ground Floor of the King’s International Hotel, Juhu, when he rose to popularity. It also housed his preview theatre Sumeet.

Prakash Mehra pursued song-writing throughout his film career and wrote many popular songs for his films like “Jiska KoiNahin Uska to Khuda Hai Yaro”,”Oh Saathi Re ,Tere Bina Bhee Kya Jeena”,”Log Kehte Hain Main Sharaabi Hoon”,” Intehaa Ho Hai Intezaar Ki” and last but not least ” De de Pyaar De, Pyar De” to mention some. His songs represented the pain and hardships he suffered after losing his parents. One of my granduncles N. S. Broca worked as General Manager with his production house, overseeing business activities ,managing budgets, strategic plans and communicating business goals. He was earlier associated with Yash Chopra & O. P. Ralhan. He remained associated with Prakash Mehra since 1977 until his death in 2000.

Born 13 July 1939, Prakash Mehra died on 17 may 2009 following multiple organ failure.
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