Happy birthday Sudhir Mishra: 8 films that won our hearts
Sudhir Mishra is one of the rare artists in the industry who refuse to be bogged down by the limelight and give in to the pressures of making ‘popular movies’ - the ones that rake in the moolah at the box office. As he turns 57, we hope he will never make one of those superhit movies that sets the box office on fire but make little sense.
Three-time national award winner director Sudhir Mishra turns 57 on Friday. The filmmaker, known best for films like Yeh Woh Manzil Nahi and Hazaro Khwahishein Aisi, is one of the rare artists in the industry who refuse to be bogged down by the limelight and give in to the pressures of making ‘popular movies’ - the ones that rake in the moolah at the box office.
He continues to make films that flaunt his artistic skills and cater to the audience who cares for cinematic brilliance. However, given the kind of films that are superhit in our country - partly due to the lack of a wider theatrical release and partly because of the kind of budget pumped in for publicity (unlike what goes for a star-backed entertainer), Mishra is a filmmaker who (we hope) will never make one of those superhit movies that sets the box office on fire but make little sense.
Read: Difficult to make films on women in India, says Sudhir Mishra
Here’s a look at some of the gems he has doled out in his 30-year-long career:
1. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983)
Sudhir Mishra began his tinsel town journey as a screenwriter for the cult comedy produced by NFDC. It starred Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik and Neena Gupta. One of the best and sharply written satires till date, the movie attacks the corruption in indian society, politics, bureacracy, media and society. Sadly, the reality hasn’t changed in the past three decades and the film holds its relevance even today.
2. Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin (1987)
He got his first award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director with the film that marked his directorial debut. The film is a socio-political commentary of contemporary India.
3. Main Zinda Hoon (1988)
The filmmaker again won the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues with Main Azad hoon. It featured featured Pankaj Kapur, Deepti Naval and Alok Nath. The film explored the journey of Beena (Deepti) who steps out of the house and starts an independent life when her husband leaves her.
4. Dharavi (1991)
Starring Shabana Azmi and Om Puri, the film traced the lives in slum area of Dharavi (Mumbai). It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi that year.
5. Chameli (2003)
The film marked a turning point in the career of Kareena Kapoor, the leading lady of the movie. Chameli is the story of a prostitute who turns out to be far more righteous and a greater human being than a proud businessman who is initially repulsed by her as she is a sex worker.
6. Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005)
Filmfare Best Story Award for the movie starring Shiney Ahuja, Chitrangada Singh and Kay Kay Menon. Set in the backdrop of the emergency, the film traced three youngsters, their different socio-political beliefs and how the hypocrisy of the society and system changes them as individuals.
7. Khoya Khoya Chand (2007)
Set in the 1950s, the film traces the lives of Indian celebrities. Shiney Ahuja and Soha Ali Khan starred in the movie
8. Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011)
Starring Chitrangada Singh, Arunoday Singh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Irrfan Khan, the film explored the darker and intriguing sides of human behaviour.
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