Prakash Jha Known for Socio-Political Films

Prakash Jha is an Indian film producer-director-

screenwriter, who is
best known for his political and socio-political films, Damul (1984),
Mrityudand (1997), and Gangaajal 2003. He is also the maker of
National Film Award winning documentaries like, Face After Storm
(1984) and Sonal (2002).

He now runs a production company, 'Prakash Jha Productions'.

Early life and education

Prakash Jha was born in 1952 and was raised in West Champaran, Bihar,
India. He had done his schooling from Sainik School Tilaya, Koderma
district, (now in Jharkhand)', and later, he joined Ramjas College,
Delhi University to do B.Sc (Hons) in Physics.

The studies did not interest him much and thus after one year he
decided to go to Mumbai and become a painter, though while he was
preparing for J.J. School of Arts, he happened to witness the shooting
film Dharma and got hooked on to film making.

Soon he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune
in 1973, to do a course in Editing that he could complete only in
1976.

Career
Documentary Film-maker
While still midway through his course, he started working on films
independently, in 1974, and made his first documentary, 'Under the
Blue' in 1975, and continued to do so for next 8 years.

During this period he made some highly politically charged
documentaries, like the one of 'Bihar Sarif riots', titled, Faces
After Storm (1984), which received considerable attention, as it was
banned within 4-5 days of its released though later it won the
National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.

Debut as a Director
Finally, he made his debut, as a feature film director with Hip Hip
Hurray in 1983, scripted by Gulzar and starring, Raj Kiran and Deepti
Naval as leads. Next came, the film he received most recognition with,
Damul (1984), which won the National Film Award for Best Film and the
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie in 1985. The film was based on
the bonded labour issue in Bihar.

In 1986, he directed, Parinati, based on the story by Vijaydan Detha.
Starting late 1980s, he made four TV series, like a 13 part Classical
dances from India, and the famous comedy series Mungerilal Ke Haseen
Sapne starring Raghuvir Yadav.

On a Sabbatical from Film Making
In 1989, he took a sabbatical from films, and moved to Bihar for four
years, during period he formed two organizations, Anubhooti, which
trained young people from region, in film making, and Samvedan, in
Champaran, to promote small and micro industries.

Bihar Based Movies
His first come back film in his second inning, was Bandish (1996),
starring Jackie Shroff and Juhi Chawala, which followed by Mrityudand
(1997), starring Madhuri Dixit and Shabana Azmi in lead roles and a
story set in his native place, Bihar.

Gangaajal, with Ajay Devgan was yet again themed on Bihar, this time
on 1980 Bhagalpur blindings.

His 2005 film, Apaharan, starring Ajay Devgan and Bipasha Basu was
based on the growing kidnapping industry in Hindi heartland and won
him the Filmfare Best Dialogue Award in 2006.




He was married for some time to film actress, Deepti Naval.

Awards bestowed upon Prakash Jha for his films
National Film Awards

* 1984: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Face After
Storm (1984)
* 1985: National Film Award for Best Film: Damul (1985)
* 1987: National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film: Kudiattam
* 2002: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Sonal
* 2004: National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues:
Gangaajal (2003)
* 2006: National Film Award for Best Screenplay: Apaharan (2005)

Filmfare Awards

* 1985: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie: Damul (1985)
* 2006:Filmfare Best Dialogue Award: Apaharan (2005)

Over the years he has made over 25 documentaries, nine feature films,
two television features and three television series. Many of his films
are concerned with highlighting social evils. Presently, he is making
film, Rajiniti, which is a contemporary take on the epic, Mahabharat,
starring Vivek Oberoi, Manoj Bajpai and Ranbir Kapoor.