Quick Info
| Profession | Film Producer, Film Director |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 26/02/1937 |
| Age | 57 years (died on 01, Mar, 1994) |
| Birthplace | Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Date of Death | 01/03/1994 |
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Bio/Wiki
| Other Name | Miracle man of Bollywood |
|---|---|
| Description | Manmohan Desai was one of the most successful and influential filmmakers of Bollywood in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a pioneer of masala films and known for family-centered, action-song-and-dance films that catered to the tastes of Indian audiences. His films often featured lost-and-found plots where family members would be separated and reunited. |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 9" (175 cm) |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| College/University | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai |
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Personal Life
| Death Cause | Falling from the balcony |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
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| Affairs/Girlfriends | Nanda (Deceased, 1992-1994) |
Family
| Father | Kikubhai Desai (Deceased, owned Paramount Studios) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Kalavati (Deceased) |
| Siblings | Brother - Subhash Desai (Film Producer) |
| Spouse | Jeejanprabha Desai (Deceased) |
| Children | Son - Ketan Desai (Film Producer, Director), Daughters - 2 |
| Grandmother | Ran a movie theatre in Pune |
Career
| Debut | Manmohan Desai commenced his film career with the movie 'Chhalia' in 1960, starring Nutan and Raj Kapoor. This marked the beginning of an illustrious journey in Bollywood. His last directorial venture was 'Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi' in 1988, after which he handed over directorial responsibilities to his son Ketan. He gained acclaim for directing the iconic film 'Amar Akbar Anthony', which earned him the Best Film Award at the 25th Filmfare Awards in 1978. Over his career, he successfully directed 20 films between 1960 and 1988, of which 13 ranked among the top ten grossers of their respective years—the highest success ratio in the history of Bombay Cinema. |
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| Notable Works |
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| Awards & Recognition | Best Film Award at the 25th Filmfare Awards (1978) for 'Amar Akbar Anthony' |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Manmohan Desai was of Gujarati ancestry. | |
| 2. He left college to pursue filmmaking, starting as an apprentice under Babuhai Mistry. | |
| 3. He collaborated frequently with actor Amitabh Bachchan, despite initial reservations about casting him. | |
| 4. His directorial debut 'Chhalia' set the stage for a successful career in the film industry. | |
| 5. His marriage was a love story; his wife lived across the street and would smile at him from her window. | |
| 6. Desai's film 'Coolie' became the highest-grossing film of its time, earning Rs. 180 million. | |
| 7. Despite achieving tremendous success, Desai's life ended in a tragic mystery surrounding his death. | |
| 8. He pioneered the masala film genre with family-centered, action-packed movies featuring lost-and-found plots. | |
| 9. In 1977, three of his films were released within 52 days and all became major successes. | |
| 10. Of the 20 films he directed between 1960 and 1993, 13 ranked among the top ten grossers of their respective years. | |
| 11. Of the 20 films he directed between 1960 and 1988, 13 ranked among the top ten grossers of their respective years. | |
| 12. 'Amar Akbar Anthony' was one of the first commercial Indian films to be broadcast by BBC television at prime time. | |
| 13. His father Kikubhai Desai owned Paramount Studios, establishing the family's connection to the film industry. |