Summary
Prakash Jha (born 27 February 1952) is an Indian film producer, actor, director and screenwriter, mostly known for his political and socio-political films such as Hip Hip Hurray (1984), Damul (1984), Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005), and his multi-starrer films, Raajneeti (2010), Aarakshan (2011), Chakravyuh (2012), and Satyagraha (2013). He is also the maker of National Film Award winning documentaries like Faces After The Storm (1984) and Sonal (2002).
Prakash Jha | |
|---|---|
 Jha in 2016 | |
| Born | 27 February 1952 |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, director, screenwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Disha Jha (daughter) |
| Parent |
|
| Website | prakashjhaproductions |
He runs a production company, Prakash Jha Productions.[1] He also owns the P&M Mall in Patna and the P&M Hi-Tech City Centre Mall in Jamshedpur.[2]
Biography edit
Early life and education edit
Prakash Jha was raised at his family's farm in Barharwa, Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar, India. His father's name is Shri Tej Nath Jha. He did his schooling from Sainik School Tilaya,[3] Koderma district and Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. Later, he joined Ramjas College, Delhi University to do BSc (Hons) in Physics, though he left his studies after one year,[4] and decided to go to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) and become a painter. While he was preparing for J.J. School of Arts, he happened to witness the shooting of the film Dharma and got hooked on filmmaking. He graduated from KC College, Mumbai[5][6]
He joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1973, to do a course in editing. Midway through it, the institution was closed for while due to student agitation, so he came to Bombay, started working, and never went back to complete the course.[7]
Personal life edit
Prakash was married to actress Deepti Naval with whom he has an adopted daughter Disha Jha.[8][9]
Career edit
While still midway through his course, he started working on films independently in 1974.[10] He made his first documentary, Under the Blue, in 1975, and continued to do so for the next eight years.[4]
During this period he made some highly politically charged documentaries, like the one of the Bihar Sharif riot, titled, Faces After Storm (1984). It received considerable attention, as it was banned within 4–5 days of its release,[7] though later it won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.
He made his debut as a feature film director with Hip Hip Hurray in 1984, scripted by Gulzar and starring Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval as leads.[11] Next came the film he received most recognition for, Damul (1984), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie in 1985. The film was based on the bonded labour issue in Bihar.
In 1986, he directed Parinati, based on the story by Vijaydan Detha.[12]
Over the years he has made over 25 documentaries, 13 feature films, two television features and three television series, including the popular TV serial Mungerilal Ke Hasin Sapne. His production company has produced five films with independent directors.[13][14]
In 2004, Jha directed the 112-minute film Loknayak, based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan. In the film, Chetan Pandit played the role of Narayan and Tisca Chopra played Prabhavati Devi, the wife of JP.[15][16][17][18][19]
In 2010, Jha directed Raajneeti, a contemporary take on the epic Mahabharata. It starred Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Naseeruddin Shah, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar and Ranbir Kapoor, and was a critical and commercial success. His next venture was Aarakshan, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar.[20] In 2012, Jha's release Chakravyuh starred Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpai, Kabir Bedi and Esha Gupta, and was released in Dussehra 2012.[21][22][23][24] His next film Satyagraha (2013) starred Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.[25][26]
In 2019, he acted in the film Saand Ki Aankh a biographical film directed by Tushar Hiranandani. He played Rattan Singh Tomar, the patriarch of the Tomar family.[27]
Politics edit
Prakash Jha contested and lost the 14th Lok Sabha election from his native place Bettiah in 2004. He stood 6th and managed to get around 26,000 votes only, while the winner Raghunath Jha got 2,11,590 votes.[28] He also lost the 15th Lok Sabha election to Sanjay Jaiswal in 2009 as Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) candidate from Paschim Champaran.[29][30][31] In the same election Sadhu Yadav stood 3rd as INC candidate.
Jha once again contested in the 16th Lok Sabha election in 2014 as a Janata Dal (United) candidate from Paschim Champaran and lost to Sanjay Jaiswal. In 2014 election affidavit he had mentioned that he has assets worth ₹92.5 crores and liabilities worth ₹55.2 crores.[32]
Social initiatives edit
Anubhooti edit
Prakash Jha is the chairman of Anubhooti,[33] a registered society that has been working for cultural development, improvement of health care, disaster management and the upliftment of farmers and socio-economically backward people in Bihar since 1991.
Most recently, the organization has been working for flood survivors. After the Kosi flood on 18 August 2008, Anubhooti has provided complete relief to 6000 people since September 2008. Anubhooti has created a model village, Hindolwa village, for those the flood affected, and is working towards their complete rehabilitation. Anubhooti has provided relief to 5000 people for health care in Supaul district in Bihar.
Filmography edit
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Shree Vats (documentary) |
Director | Film on the Pune-based institute Shreevatsa |
| 1983 | Faces After The Storm (documentary) |
Director | National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Best Documentary of the year International Film Festival of India, Special Jury Award |
| 1984 | Hip Hip Hurray | Director | All India Film Awards Association, Best Director |
| 1985 | Damul | Director, producer, co-script writer | National Film Award for Best Feature Film Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie |
| 1986 | Kudiattam (documentary) |
Director | National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film |
| 1988 | Looking Back (documentary) |
Director | National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary |
| 1989 | Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne | Director | Television serial |
| 1989 | Parinati | Director, producer | National Film Award for Best Costume Design Presented as an Outstanding Film at the London Film Festival at the London Film Festival |
| 1996 | Bandish | Director, producer | |
| 1997 | Mrityudand ("Death Sentence") |
Director, producer, editor, dialogue writer | Screen Cinema Award, Best Actor in a Negative Role Screen Cinema Award, Best Dialogue Screen Cinema Award, Best Screenplay Zee Cine Award, Best Dialogue Zee Cine Award, Best Director Sansui Film Awards, Best Film (Critics Choice) Sansui Film Awards, Best Actress Special Jury Award, Cinema Tout Ecran, Geneva for Best Feature Audience Award, Best Feature, Bangkok Film Festival |
| 1999 | Dil Kya Kare | Director, editor, story writer | |
| 2001 | Rahul | Director | |
| 2002 | Sonal (Documentary) |
Director | National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film |
| 2003 | Gangaajal | Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer | National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues |
| 2004 | Loknayak | Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer | Based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan |
| 2005 | Apaharan | Director, producer, story writer | National Film Award for Best Screenplay Filmfare Best Dialogue Award Star Screen Best Screenplay Award |
| 2007 | Dil Dosti Etc | Producer | |
| Khoya Khoya Chand | Producer | ||
| 2010 | Raajneeti | Director, producer, dialogue writer | Star Screen Best Screenplay Award |
| 2011 | Turning 30 | Producer | |
| Yeh Saali Zindagi | Producer | ||
| Aarakshan | Director, producer | ||
| 2012 | Chakravyuh | Director, producer | |
| 2013 | Satyagraha | Director, producer | |
| 2015 | Crazy Cukkad Family | producer | |
| 2016 | Jai Gangaajal | director, actor, producer | |
| 2017 | Lipstick Under My Burkha | producer | |
| 2018 | Saare Jahan Se Acha (series) | Anchor | Web Series [34] Directed by Prakash Bhardwaj (Director)[35] |
| 2019 | Fraud Saiyaan | producer | |
| Pareeksha – The Final Test | Director, producer | Released on ZEE5 | |
| Saand Ki Aankh | Rattan Singh Tomar | Actor[27] | |
| 2020 | Aashram | Director, producer | Web series on MX Player |
| Matto Ki Saikil | Matto | Actor[36] |
Web series edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rafuchakkar | Pawan Kumar Bawariya's father |
Awards edit
National Film Awards edit
- 1984: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Faces After The Storm (1984)[37]
- 1985: National Film Award for Best Feature Film: Damul (1985)
- 1987: National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film: Kudiattam[38]
- 1988: National Film Award for Best Costume Design: Parinati
- 1988: National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary: Looking Back
- 2002: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Sonal[39]
- 2004: National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues: Gangaajal (2003)[40]
- 2006: National Film Award for Best Screenplay: Apaharan (2005)
Filmfare Awards edit
- 2001: Best Documentary of the year: Faces After The Storm (1983)
- 1985: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie: Damul (1985)
- 2006:Filmfare Best Dialogue Award: Apaharan (2005)[14]
Star Screen Awards edit
- 2005: Star Screen Best Screenplay Award: Apaharan
- 2011: Star Screen Best Screenplay Award: Raajneeti
Filmfare OTT Awards edit
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Best Series - Drama | Aashram | Nominated | [41] |
| Best Director - Drama, Series | Nominated |
ITA Awards edit
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Best Landmark OTT Show | Aashram | Won | [42] |
References edit
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Bose, Antara (3 August 2017). "Shopaholics, the big brands are coming". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "Sainik Schools Society". Sainikschoolsociety.org. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Prakash Jha : Hrishikesh Mukharjee cried after watching my film - PassionForCinema". 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Bollypedia. "Prakash Jha | Biography, Filmography, Gallery, Awards, Videos | Bollypedia". bollypedia.in. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Our Prominent Alumni". KC College of Arts, Commerce & Science, Mumbai. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ a b Prakash Jha The Cinemas of India, by Yves Thoraval. Macmillan India, 2000. ISBN 0-333-93410-5, ISBN 978-0-333-93410-4. Page 191-192.
- ^ "Today's actors have become picky: Prakash Jha". hindustantimes.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha during the launch of Deepti Naval's book 'The Mad Tibetan'". Photogallery.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ Interviews Movies, Rediff.com, 3 February 2003.
- ^ Filmmaker sees hope in Bihar Telegraph, 4 December 2005.
- ^ "Prakash Jha : Deepti Naval and I never cherished any negativity between us » PassionForCinema". 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Prakash Jha". IMDb. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Uncensored 'Loknayak' to be screened soon". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News ? Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Jayaprakash Narayan deserved better". Rediff.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha declines to change his film on JP". Newsoutlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "I am fully indebted to theatre". The Hindu. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Tinselgurus.net". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Arjun to enter 'Chakravyuh' next week". Supergoodmovies.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO, Mutual Funds News". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "'Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "My 'Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha". Zee News. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha accuses Censor board of bizarre cuts in 'Jai Gangaajal'". The Indian Express. PTI. 7 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Prakash Jha joins the cast of Saand Ki Aankh". The Indian Express. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ "Bettiah Lok Sabha elections". Result University. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "After Nitish declined, I needed a party: Prakash Jha". Mid-day.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Of course, I'll contest elections: Prakash Jha". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "I will not contest an election again. Even without being an MP, I do whatever I can". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Sri Prakash Jha (JDU), Constituency:Paschim Champaran". Myneta.info. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Anubhooti : Home". anubhootingo.org. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Prakash Jha to honour unsung heroes on his web show, Saare Jahan Se Achha!". Hindustantimes. 30 January 2018.
- ^ "Prakash Jha is identity of 'Sare Jahan Se Achha': Director". 21 September 2018 – via Business Standard.
- ^ "On a Bicycle from Mathura to Busan". The Wire.
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations". FilmFare. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "ITA Awards 2021 full winners list out. Surbhi Chandna and Pratik Gandhi win big". India Today. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
External links edit
- Official website
- Prakash Jha at IMDb
- Prakash Jha at Bollywood Hungama
