Prakash Jha

Prakash Jha Biography

Prakash Jha is a famous producer, director and scriptwriter of Bollywood well known for movies related to politics and social issues. He is one among the most reputed directors of Hindi cinema of present times who works with leading actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan. His most popular movies as a director include Mrityudant, Bandish, Parinati, Dil kya kare, Rahul, Gangajal, Apaharan, Chakra vyuh, Rajneeti, Aarakshan and Damul. He has produced most of his movies in the recent times. His other popular movies as a producer include- Turning 30!, Yeh saali zindagi and Koya khoya chand.

Though he has produced and directed movies of all genres it was during early 2000’s with the movie Gangajal that he decided to work more on social issues and political subjects. A single exception during his movies during 90’s is Mrityudant with Maduri Dixit is the pivot role. From Gangaajal to Aarakshan, Apaharan and Rajneeti his movies have always got quick attention from public and were well received too. He belongs to the group of intellectual directors of Bollywood.

He has won numerous awards at National award section as well as popular magazine awards. He has won 8 National awards till now, for different categories. He won it first in 1984 for best non-feature film - Faces after the Storm. It gave him his first Filmfare awards as well. The following year, 1985, he won National Film Award for Best Feature Film - Damul. This movie won him Filmfare best film critics’ awards too.  In 1987, he won for Best Arts/Cultural Film – Kudiattam. Same year, he received National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary, Looking Back. In 2002, Sonal won him best film in non-feature film category. In 2004, he won best feature film on other social issues. The movie was critically well acclaimed movie – Ganga gal starring Ajay Devgan and Gracy Singh. In 2006, Apaharan won him best screen play award. This movie presented him best dialogue writer award at Filmfare too.

He has won Star screen awards for best screenplay for the movies – Apaharana nd Rajneethi. In 1983, International Film Festival of India, he won Special Jury Award for Faces After The Storm. Hip hip hurray (1984) won him All India Film Awards Association award for best director. Actress Deepti Naval, his former wife also worked in this movie. They have an adopted daughter – Disha.  For the past few years, he has involved himself in the social issues of Bihar and its development.

Published: N/A

Updated: April 10, 2014