By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Director Sikander Bharti breathed his last on 24th May in Mumbai. Known for directing “Ghar Ka Chiraag”, ‘Zaalim’, “Sar Utha Ke Jiyo”, “Rupaye Dus Karod”, “Bhai Bhai’, “Sainik”, “Dand-Nayak’, “Rangeela Raja”, “Police Wala” & “Do Fantoosh”, Bharti also directed a TV series titled “Batwara”.

Interestingly, I had not heard much about him until I was invited to cover the shooting of a film titled “Rupaye Dus Krod” (1990), at Timber Trail, a Tourist Resort in Himachal Pradesh. It starred Rajesh Khanna, Kiran Kumar, Amrita Singh, Sonu Walia, Chunky Pande & Sadashiv Amrapurkar to name some. I also had some pictures with Rajesh Khanna, Chunky & Kiran Kumar at the spot.

I later attended another shooting stint of his film titled “Sainik” at Hotel Juhu in 1992. A restaurant scene was being picturized on Akshay Kumar, Ashwini Bhave & Farheen who played his sister in the film under reference. I met the star-cast and took some pictures of the scene under way. Directed by Sikander Bharti the film “Sainik” also starred Anupam Kher, Ronit Roy, Alok Nath & Ranjeet.

A writer & poet in his own right, Bharati, aged 60, was also my timeline friend and often sent his poems for comments. Survived by his wife & three children. May His Soul Rest in Peace.