‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ director Kundan Shah is dead
Mumbai, (DHNS): National Award-winning director Kundan Shah, best known for his dark satire “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” and coming-of-age comedy “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa”, passed away at his residence early today. He was 69.
Shah died of a heart attack, a family member told PTI.
His last rites are likely to be held at Shivaji Park, Dadar, this evening.
Born on October 19, 1947, Shah studied direction at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and made his directorial debut with “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” in 1983.
The movie, featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik, Bhakti Barve and Neena Gupta, went on achieve cult status despite a poor box office showing.
More than three decades later, the film — revolving around two bumbling photographers, a canny newspaper editor and corrupt civic officials — continues to be relevant and a scathing commentary on contemporary India.
Shah received his first and only National Award – Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director – for the film.
Shah returned the award during the student protests in his alma mater FTII in 2015 over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman.
After “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro”, Shah switched to television and teamed up with Saeed Akhtar Mirza for his debut TV show “Nukkad”.
One of the most popular shows in the ’80s, “Nukkad” gave Indian audiences memorable characters like Khopdi, Kaderbhai and Ghanshu Bhikari.
His next TV show was “Wagle Ki Duniya”, based on cartoonist R K Laxman’s common man.
Shah came back to Bollywood in 1993 with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa”. The film received critical acclaim and is counted among Shah Rukh’s best performances.
His next “Kya Kehna”, again a story that was ahead of its time, dealt with teenage preganacy and the stigma attached to it.
It was a box office success and became one of the highest grossing films of 2000. The film helped establish Preity Zinta’s career in the Hindi film industry.
The director made a number of films after “Kya Kehna”, but sadly commercial success eluded him.
Shah’s sudden demise shocked his friends in the industry.
His friend and colleague Satish Shah, who played one of the principal characters in “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro”, told PTI, “I just got to know about Shah’s demise. I have reached his house. It is really sad.”
Director Hansal Mehta paid tributes to Shah by posting a black and white photograph of the “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” team.
“‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ RIP Kundan Shah. Sad news,” he wrote.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt remembered Shah as a brave man “who added vigour to the alternate cinema stream with movies like ‘Jaane bhi do yaaro'”.
Farhan Akhtar wrote, “Saddened to learn that Kundan Shah is no more. Will never forget his genuineness, his cinematic knowledge and his unique sense of humour. RIP”.
Karan Johar said, “RIP Kundan Shah… A cult filmmaker … A solid story teller.”
Sudhir Mishra said the director was a huge influence when he was a 22-year-old and helped him find his voice.
“It’s probably wrong but I can’t help but imagine Kundan Shah and Renu Saluja meeting and arguing over a cut and maybe Ravi Baswani is mediating!” he added.
Riteish Deshmukh said, “RIP Kundan Shah…. A master storyteller no more. Condolences to the family and loved ones.”
Film fraternity mourns ‘master storyteller’ Kundan Shah’s demise
Mumbai, Oct 7 (IANS) Kundan Shah’s knack of tackling alternate cinema with satirical themes in a film like “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” and a show like “Nukkad” made him a master storyteller, members of Indian showbiz said as they mourned the sudden demise of the filmmaker on Saturday.
Celebrities like Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Subhash Ghai and Raveena Tandon paid condolences to the family of the filmmaker, who passed away here early on Saturday. He was 69.
His “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” and “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa” apart, Shah built his own brand of entertainment with the Doordarshan comedy series “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi”. His “Wagle Ki Duniya”, based on cartoonist R.K. Laxman’s character was much loved by the audience. His last film “P se PM Tak” hit the screens in 2014.
Here’s what the celebrities had to say:
Mahesh Bhatt: A brave man Kundan Shah, who added vigour to the alternate cinema stream with movies like ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ has left us. Adieux Kundan.
Satish Kaushik: RIP Kundan Shah. We will be always indebted to you for ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’. A cult classic. You gave comedy a new face. Indian cinema will miss you.
Suchitra Krishnamoorthy: I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of Kundan Shah. A good man. A genius filmmaker. RIP and a glorious afterlife.
Farah Khan: Saddened to hear my favourite director Kundan Shah is no more. I learnt a lot from him whilst filming ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’. Quiet genius he was.
Riteish Deshmukh: RIP Kundan Shah… A master storyteller no more. Condolences to the family and loved ones.
Farhan Akhtar: Saddened to learn that Kundan Shah is no more. Will never forget his genuineness, his cinematic knowledge and his unique sense of humour.
Karan Johar: RIP Kundan Shah…. a cult filmmaker …a solid story teller.
Nandita Das: Had a few interactions with Kundan Shah, a fine human being and yes, ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ will remain a cult film for a long time to come. RIP Kundan ji.
Raveena Tandon: Worked with him in ‘Ek Se Badhkar Ek’. A true gentleman. Quiet unassuming genius of a man. You will be missed sir.
Omung Kumar: My privilege that I could work with you on a film as an art director. You will always be missed. RIP… genius Kundan Shah.
Shekhar Suman: Kundan Shah an icon, iconoclast, one of the most celebrated directors is no more. What a colossal tragedy. What an immense loss. Bon Voyage!
Manoj Bajpayee: This is such a tragic news for all the cinema lovers. Will miss you Kundan sir. May you rest in peace!
Madhur Bhandarkar: Shocked to know about the demise of Kundan Shahji. Will be remembered for his cult classic ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ and his contribution to films and TV.
Hansal Mehta: ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’… RIP Kundan Shah. Sad news.
Ashoke Pandit: Sad to know about the demise of one of our finest directors Kundan Shah. Will miss you sir! ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’.
Karan Anshuman: Awful news… Kundan Shah is no more. What a tragic loss for cinema, for India.
Vikram Bhatt: Kundan Shah, the man who gave us the unforgettable ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ leaves us. He is gone… He lives on.
Sudhir Mishra: Kundan my teacher, friend, once my partner and always an inspiration. Was wise, crazy, academic, imaginative and mourned the impossibility of true love.
Nila Madhab Panda: ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, you will be alive forever in our memory. My all time favourite director, may your soul rest in peace Kundan Shah
Onir: Sad to hear about Kundan Shah. ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ will always be cherished and he will be remembered with love and respect.
Abhishek Kapoor: We have lost another gem. Kundan Shah showed us that you don’t have to have 300 films in your filmography to have made it. One ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ is equal to 500.
Rasika Dugal: RIP Kundan Shah. Your films and your generosity will remain with me forever. Till we meet again.