B. R. Ishara

B. R. Ishara Biography

B. R. Ishara was a famous filmmaker and screenwriter of Bollywood during 1970’s most known for the controversial movie, Chetana, which received ‘Adult certificate’, but was received well by public. He was married to the leading star of the same movie, Rehana Sultan. They got married in 1984. In the career spanning to about 3 decades (from 1969 to 1996), he directed 34 Hindi movies. Ek Nazar (1974) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri, Zaroorat, Woh Phir Ayegi, Sautela Bhai, Gunah Aur Kanoon and Milap are other noted works.

He brought cricketer Salim Durani to Hindi cinema through the movie, Charitra and known for introducing and working with newcomers of Hindi cinema. He introduced actor Anil Dhawan through the movie Chetana, which is till his most successful and noted movie. Danny Denzongpa, Rakesh Pandey, Vijay Arora, Jaya Bhaduri, Amitabh Bachchan, Reena Roy, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Kiran and Raza Murad are other upcoming actors of 1970’s he made it big through Ishara’s movies.

Ishara was born as Roshan Lal Sharma on 7 September 1934 at Bharwain, Una, Himachal Pradesh. He left home to Mumbai to try luck in film field. Insaaf Ka Mandir, starring Tarun Bose and Aruna Irani marked his mainstream debut. The following year, the controversial Chetana was released. The movie is noted for its erotic scenes and bold subject at a time when films based on prostitution were considered taboo in Indian conservative society. Ishara made a big attempt to bring something to new to scene which has never done before. He also tried to deal the subject like rehabilitation of prostitutes, their marriage etc. Lead role was played by Anil Dhawan, brother of director David Dhawan and he was paired opposite Rehana Sultan.

Rehana played the bold role of a prostitute with 100% perfection that she got type casted and never received good roles later. The movie attracted teenagers and was a huge hit at box office. Dialogues of Rehana which proved to be the soul of the movie were penned by the director himself. In the same year, Ishara brought Rehana and Rakesh Pandey together in “Dil ki Rahein”. This movie was based on his marriage – a marriage between a Hindu boy and Muslim girl. Film stars Sanjeev Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor starred in his 1970 movie, Gunah Aur Kanoon.

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Updated: March 01, 2014