G. P. Sippy

G. P. Sippy Biography

G. P. Sippy was a famous film producer known for many blockbuster hits of 1970’s. He is better known as the producer of record breaking blockbuster hit – Sholay in 1975, which is still regarded as one among the top 5 Indian movies ever produced. The movie was directed by his son, Ramesh Sippy. His grandson Rohan Sippy is also a film producer and director known for the movies Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Bluffmaster (2005), Dum Maaro Dum (2011) and Nautanki Saala (2013). Mere Sanam (1965), Brahmachari (1968), Bandhan (1969), Andaz (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Shaan (1980), Saagar (1985), Patthar Ke Phool (1991) and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992) are the other major hits of G. p. Sippy. He was the Chairman of the Film and TV Producers Guild of India for several years.

Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, born in a Sindhi family started his career with carpet selling and moved onto construction work. Thus his construction work later led to film production. He began his career with the film Marine Drive in 1955. He started his career as a director and producer in the 1950’s, though fully concentrated on to film production in the 1960’s. Mr. India (1961), Bhai-Bahen (1959), Shrimati 420 (1956), Adil-E-Jahangir (1955) and Marine Drive (1955) are his directorial ventures. His career spanned to about five decades and 18 films and later carried forward by his son and grandson.

The making of the film Sholay has always raised curiosity among readers. In this big-budget multi-star cast movie, many new things were nicely presented which appeals millions even now. Its 3D format was released in 2014. Though the movie received only two Filmfare awards, it gained strength slowly and created the record of longest running film in India (8 years) and the record was broken in the early 2000’s by DDLJ. Still, if inflation figures are adjusted, it stands next to Mughal-E-Azam in terms of box office collection. This legendary film producer died at his residence on the Christmas day of 2007, aged 93. He is a winner of 2 Filmfare awards too.

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Updated: February 21, 2014