Prakash Mehra

Prakash Mehra (Hindi: प्रकाश मेहरा, 13 July 1939 – 17 May 2009) was a legendary Hindi film producer and director. Along with Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra was regarded as the pioneer of "Masala" film genre. His collaboration with the actor Amitabh Bachchan resulted in several box office blockbusters and classics, due to which Mehra was considered among the 'Golden Directors' of his time.

Career

Born on 13 July 1939 in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, Mehra started in the late 1950s as a production controller. In 1968, he directed Shashi Kapoor who played a double role in Haseena Maan Jayegi. . In 1973, he produced and directed Zanjeer. This hit with Amitabh Bachchan started a relationship that spanned 7 more films, 6 being huge blockbusters (Khoon Pasina, Hera Pheri (1976 film), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Lawaaris (1981 film), Namak Halaal, ;Sharaabi) and Jaadugar. Zanjeer launched the career of Bachchan as a lead actor , spanning 2 decades of collaboration. Their eighth film together Jaadugar failed at the box office and was towards the end of the 1st phase of Bachchan's legendary career.