RITUPARNO GHOSH

Rituparno Ghosh is one of the contemporary Bengali directors in India. Starting his career in the year 1992 the well admired director has been recognized for his works worldwide.




Rituparno Ghosh was born and brought up in Kolkata. He studied at south point high school and later joined Jadavar Uiversity to pursue his education in economics. Both his parents were closely associated with filmdom. His father was a documentary filmmaker.

Rituparno Ghosh has always professed that he has admired the works of Ingmar Bergman, Krzysztof Kie Lowski, Bille August, Quentin Tarantino, Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Wong Kar-Wai and Pedro Almodovar.

In a little over a decade, Rituparno Ghosh has established himself as one of the best directors in contemporary Indian cinema. Though he has largely worked in Bengali, his native language, with stories and themes that are rooted in Bengali culture, his films have broken geographical and linguistic barriers by reaching national and international film festivals.

Though his first film Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring), made in 1992, a children’s film won an international award, it failed to get a public release in theatres. However, the film was later shown several times over at small festivals for children’s films and also on the small screen. Unishe April went on to win the Swarna Kamal or the National Award for Best Film as well as Best Actress for Debashree Roy.

A unique element in a Rituparno Ghosh script is its distinct structure, which changes with every film he directs. Unishe April opened with the shocking scene of an untimely and sudden death. Whispers and hushed tones underscored the grief of a little girl in shock, till we were surprised to discover that the entire unfolding was in flashback. The narrative of Dahan is sandwiched between letters penned by one of the two main female characters to her sister away in Canada. It is in Utsab (2000), that one finds Rituparno in total control.

Based on his own story, Titli (2002) offers the usual Rituparno fare of a filial relationship in conflict being resolved in the end. But the ambience is unusual. For the first time in his career, Rituparno moves his script beyond the confines of the four walls to shoot it almost completely on location among the scenic landscape of Kurseong. Raincoat (2004, Hindi) starring Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai, was an unabashed plagiarization of The Gift of the Magi with suitable shifts in time, relocation, characterization, storyline and socio-cultural backdrop.

In an interview , he told us that “Chokher Bali (2003) was been a long-time dream-come-true for me. I love to make films on subjects I understand the most. I feel I understand the inner feelings of women, their passion, agony and sufferings.”

Today, Rituparno Ghosh is the only filmmaker in Bengali cinema to have successfully transcended the borders of language, culture and casting to make films in Hindi and English.

Madhur Bhandarkar's 5 films will be held at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival

The Life member of the ‘International Film and Television Research Centre’ and the ‘Asian Academy of Film and Television', Madhur Bhandarkar’s five films will be held at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival between November 14 and 20. The films are Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate, Traffic Signal and Fashion. Hollywood celebrities such as Salma Hayek, Lucy Liu and Samuel L Jackson will be gracing the event.




Madhur Bhandarkar also said, "It is a great moment for me." Around 25 Indian films will be screened during the festival. Some of the big fames gracing the event will be legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, actress Sridevi and her producer husband Boney Kapoor, director Madhur Bhandarkar, Slumdog Millionaire star Irrfan Khan and writer Vikas Swarup, etc.

Karan appreciates Ayan

When Karan Johar appreciates the words come out and overflow. On this occasion when the movie 'Wake up Sid!' has reported an excellent opening, he is appreciating the director of the movie Ayan Mukherji.




"Ayan has earned it all. Really, no one other than Ayan could have made this film. His story made me realize that we all have been Sids at some point in our younger days. We all have gone through that phase. We have thought like that. Pick up any family and you would find a Sid. It is this identifiable factor that had made Wake Up Sid click with audiences in a big way", says Karan Johar.

Earlier also Karan has given the opportunity of direction to first timers like Nikhil Advani (Kal Ho Na Ho), Soham Shah (Kaal) and Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana). He says that the first time directors cannot afford to be just talented and creative, they need more than that. According to him, they should be able to nurture good relationships with their cast and crew off set too.

Karan Johar sounds more like a management guru when he says, “See 80% part of a filmmaker's job is to handle people and their emotions. Once you are able to do that as a director, creativity automatically steps in. One should always possess people management skills; that makes the entire filmmaking process quite efficient."

Abrar Alvi

Abrar Alvi is an Indian film writer, director and actor. The 50s and 60s era was notable for Abrar as he was associated with Guru Dutt. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Abrar also wrote story for Kaagaz Ke Phool, Pyaasa and Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Mr. and Mrs. '55. Pyaasa is ranked as top 100 movies.




Abrar Alvi also directed the box-office hit Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam in 1962. Abrar who currently lives in Mumbai and last publicly appeared on a poignant three part documentary on Guru Dutt reminiscing his work and days with the Guru Dutt team.

Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam was also screened at the Berlin Film Festival in June 1963 and was India's official entry to the Oscars that year. Abrar Alvi also won the Filmfare Best Director Award for the film.

Sachin Bhowmick

Sachin Bhowmick is a bollywood film director who has written stories and screenplay for over 70 films. Sachin started his writing career with the screenplay for Mohan Segal's Nargis starrer Lajwanti in 1958.





In the 1960's this bollywood director was associated with several hits like Anuradha, which won him the National Film Award for Best Film, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Jaanwar (1965), Love in Tokyo (1966), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), An Evening in Paris (1967), Bhramachari (1968), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969) and Aradhana.

1970 came with successes like Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Caravan (1971), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (1977), Gol Maal (1979). His 1980 films include the following Karz (1980), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980), Bemisal (1982), Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Nastik (1983), Andar Baahar (1984), Saaheb (1985) and Karma (1986). He also co-wrote the tamil comedy movie Thillu Mullu (1981).

Sachin Bhowmick in the 1990s came up with several hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Koyla (1997), Soldier (1998), Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and Taal (1999).

In 2000 the director continued giving hits like Koi Mil Gaya, Kisna and Krrish (2006).

Sachin Bhowmick directed one film in 1973 with Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore that was titled Raja Rani which he also wrote. He was honoured with the 1968 Filmfare Best Story Award for Brahmachari, 1969 Filmfare Nomination for Best Story for Aradhana and in 1970 received the Filmfare Nomination for Best Story for Pehchan.

Shaad Ali the real Hanuman

In Mani Ratnam’s Raavana, Govinda plays Hanuman, while Vikram, the star from the south, plays Ram. After directing films like Saathiya, and Bunty Aur BubliJhoom Barabar Jhoom, Shaad Ali should ideally be concentrating on getting his next with Yash Raj Films. Instead, Shaad prioritised his mentor Mani Ratnam’s film and rushed to the south to assist him.




Shaad Ali’s involvement goes deeper than the professional commitment. He also plays Mani’s nursemaid and right-hand man. When Mani Ratnam was hospitalised for his heart problem, Shaad Ali was at his bedside constantly.

As far as his YRF film is concerned, it was supposed to take off early next year. Mani Ratnam’s health has delayed that project. An unperturbed Shaad has informed Aditya Chopra to push back the plans as well. Shaad’s new film has three heroes and three heroines, newcomers in all probability.

Sanjay Gupta Smoky trouble

Sanjay Gupta, the director of all new film Acid Factory learns a bitter lesson. The makers of Acid factory went an extra mile to promote their film. Earlier, it was the team Acid factory to make their presence feel at prestigious ‘Durand Cup Final’. And now, the star cast and the director will be walking the ramp of ‘Roy Costa’.




Aftab Shivdasani and Manoj Bajpayee will be walking the ramp with cigars. Interestingly, a straight NO came from Sanjay Gupta’s end as he has already faced the music for the No smoking standees, which were returned.

Sanjay has frequently worked with Sanjay Dutt. The two started White Feather Films, a production company located in Mumbai, together. Both have publicly admitted they consider each other real brothers and are very close friends.

Much of his work has been criticised as interpretations of other films, both Hollywood and other international pieces.

Well, it seems like ‘once bitten twice shy’!

Nostalgia struck "Karan Johar

Filmmaker Karan Johar is certainly nostalgia struck. Karan is often heard to get into nostalgia trips. His personal traits are indeed reflected in his films, which he directs or produce. We guess he will be remembered as one of the most successful directors of contemporarytimes off late.




Last time, he was seen to get nostalgic about the title of his much-celebrated film titled Dostana because of the word dostana (friendship).

And this time yet again, Karan could not withhold his emotions on the celebration day of 50 years of completion of HR College, which incidentally has been his alma mater. Exclaims Karan, After wrapping up with loads of media interactions, "I took some time out to enjoy 50 years celebration of my college…HR College! The event at HR College was dignified and nostalgic. HR truly has emerged as the leading education power house".

Karan Johar is ready to release under his Dharma productions, a refreshing tale of a young and aimless guy in Wake up Sid starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma and directed by Ayan Mukerji. We will also see Kurbaan and My Name is Khan a little later, all his very ambitious projects that are truly anticipated.

Wonder, what in these films are going to make him nostalgic this time around?

They asked me to cast Shahid in Aamras, says Rupali

Rupali Guha, the debutant director, cast four girls in her first film 'Aamras'. And for this the 'Chak De' film director Abhimanyu has been her protector. The film 'Chak De' has been her inspiration for directing her first film with totally new faces. She said that the four girls are the backbone of her film.




Rupali had to go from door to door to get the approval for her first screenplay from UTV onwards. She says, “ 'All of them said that who will watch this film? Cast Shahid Kapoor as a boyfriend in the film'. But how can I take Shahid in the film of four 18 years old girls to show the bonding among them”.

The idea of the film 'Aamras' came to her mind by the experiences of her 13 year old daughter Jonaki. She says, “ My daughter has a cirlcle of 11 friends from different groups of society but when I was growing I only had one close friend and my family. Everyday she comes with different experiences with her friends. And 'Aamras' has given me a chance to explore my daughter's world.

Next, Rupali is working on the script of 'Cindrella', a girl's dream of finding a Prince charming.

Mehboob Khan-Pioneer of Hindi Cinema

The pioneer of Hindi cinema Mehboob Khan is best known for directing Mother India in 1957, which won him the Filmfare Awards for Best Film and Best Director and was a nominee for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.




Mehboob Khan was born in Gujurat. When he came to Bombay he played supporting characters before directing his first film, Judgement of Allah in 1935. Directorial features like Aurat followed, with the studios Sagar Movietone and National Studios. Mehboob Studio courtyard was set-up by him in 1954.

Throughout his career, Mehboob Khan produced and directed many blockbuster notable films like Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1951), the dramatic Amar and the social epic Mother India (1957), the latter of which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1957.

He has directed 21 other films dating from the late 1930s. His last film as a director was the 1962 film Son of India. He died two years later at the age of 57. Mehboob Khan was so much influenced by Hollywood films that his films featured lavish sets in the style of the Hollywood era at that time.

Mahesh Bhatt wants Bharat Ratna award for Dilip Kumar

Famous director and film producer Mahesh Bhatt and film fraternity comes out to vote for urging the President of India to give Bharat Ratna award for Dilip Kumar.




Mahesh Bhatt informs, "It's the entire industry’s effort. From every region, stalwarts have come out to appeal for him. I was just a foot soldier. It is the Indian film industry’s effort, not an individual’s effort".

The other Bollywood actors who support the cause are Rajeev Khandelwal, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Mukul Dev, Varun Badola, Urvashi Dholakia and Randeep Hooda.
The director has churned out stories and screenplays for over twenty films, many of which were box-office successes, like Dushman, Raaz, Murder (2004), Gangster (2006) and lastly Woh Lamhe (2006), etc.

Ishaan Trivedi's Radio is 80 pc complete

Himesh Reshammiya's latest film titled Radio, which is being directed by Isshaan Trivedi, is now 80 per cent complete.

Radio is being produced by Ravi Agarwal and stars Reshammiya along with Shenaz Treasurywala. Reshammiya plays a radio jockey in the movie. Radio has been shot at different locations in Mumbai.

Presently, the cast and crew of the movie are shooting a song at Filmistan Studios in Mumbai. The film deals with modern day relationships and compatibility issues.

Pooja Bhatt - Actress-cum-film director

Pooja Bhatt born on February 24, 1972, to Mahesh Bhatt and Kiran Bhatt (aka Loraine Bright) is a retired Indian film actress, currently devoting time to film production and direction. She is the step daughter of Soni Razdan, an actress. She has a brother, Rahul Bhatt and step sisters Shaheen and Alia. Her cousin Mohit Suri is a film screenwriter-director. Emraan Hashmi is another famous cousin who is a Bollywood actor.

Following her father's footsteps, she has now began her career's second lease as a film director and producer, though she has acted in many films which were produced and directed by her father.

Bhatt made her acting debut at the tender age of 17, in 1989 with Daddy, a TV film directed by her father Mahesh Bhatt. In the film she portrayed a soul-searching teenage girl in an estranged relationship with her alcoholic father, played by actor Anupam Kher.

Her biggest hit and her big screen debut came with a musical hit, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991) opposite Aamir Khan which was a remake of the Oscar-winning Hollywood classic "It Happened One Night." Pooja received the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for the film.

Her most well-known films in the 1990s included, Sadak (1991), Junoon (1992), Tamanna (1996), a super-hit and multi-starrer Border(1997) and Zakhm (1998). Chaahat where she starred along side Shahrukh Khan, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher released in 1996.

Her last film appearance was in Everybody Says I'm Fine! in 2001.She has since focused on producing and directing.She made her directorial debut with Paap in 2004, starring John Abraham and Udita Goswami, since then she has made two more directorial ventures, Holiday (2006) and Dhokha (2007).

On August 24, 2003, she married her long-time boyfriend and a former popular VJ of Indian music channel, Channel V, Munish Makhija aka Udham Singh.

Rakesh Mehra's Delhi6 to be screened at Venice film festival this year

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, whose Delhi-6 is going to be screened at the Venice film festival this year, has managed to do things his own way. The director has changed the climax of Delhi-6 for the international audience and decided to kill the character of Abhishek Bachchan in the end.

So for the time being, Junior B's fanswon't see the actor waking up from a dream instead, he would breathe his last after being attacked by the mob.

The new cut of the film has been created especially for a screening in Venice Film Festival where the film has been selected for the 'Out Of Competition' category. It is for the first time a film has to be reshot and re-edited post its release. The film, which released earlier this year did not get a good response in India. The film was also starred Sonam Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor.

Anubhav Sinha to take to small screen

Anubhav Sinha is coming up with a soap-series on Sahara One. The renowned film director Anubhav Sinha is tuning his eyes on the small screen now after his ex-wife Ratna Sinha started with her production house Chota Ganpati Creation and got success with Babul Ka Aangan Chootey Naa.



Though things are at very initial stages, but it is heard that he will be coming up with a show based on similar lines as CID. For now the producer is still thinking on whom to cast. The auditions are going on, but definitely channel will have some known faces in the show.

Anubhav Sinha has directed films like Cash, Dus, Tum Bin etc. So let’s see whether he is able to churn-out the same magic on small screen or not. But on the other side, finally Sahara is all set to change by bringing-up some new flavour for their audience.

Tanuja Chandra - Intel Film Maker

Tanuja Chandra, a woman Bollywood film director and writer is known for frequently directing woman-oriented films where the lead actress are the main protagonists.




Chandra began her career in 1995 and made her directorial debut with the TV series Zameen Aasmaan, starring Tanvi Azmi. In 1996, she directed another television serial along with Shabnam Sukhdev, called Mumkin.

She went on to collaborate often with Mahesh Bhatt and wrote the screenplay for his critically acclaimed picture, Zakhm (1998). She also made her cinematic directional debut with his Dushman in the same year. The movie, starring Kajol in the lead role, received critical praise and performed moderately well at the box office.In 1997, she wrote the screenplay for Yash Chopra Dil To Pagal Hai, which was a commercial success.

Her next film, Sangharsh (1999), was also produced by Mahesh Bhatt and starred Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta in pivotal roles. The movie failed at the box office.

Since then, Chandra has directed several films, many of which went unnoticed. Yet films like Sur (2002) and Film Star (2005), which were directed and written by Chandra, won favourable reviews from critics and received praise for her work as a director and writer.

Her most recent films was Zindaggi Rocks (2006), starring Sushmita Sen and Shiney Ahujao. Chandra also wrote the story and the screenplay for the film. Her other films went totally unnoticed. These were Hope and a Little Sugar (2008) and were shot entirely in English in USA.

She is the sister of famous writer Vikram Chandra.

Soham Shah - Out of KJo Shadows

Soham Shah mysteriously & abruptly disappeared after his debut film Kaal with Dharma Productions released. The film did no wonders on box-office and so was his camaraderie with the production house.

But Luck, his new film seems to have brought Soham Shah back. After his bitter parting from Dharma Productions and Karan Johar, he had to start his struggle all over again. A lot of people took advantage of the situation, considering the controversy that followed our split.

Something or the other would always go wrong at the last minute and eventually he was 'out of work' for almost four years, till Luck happened.

That Soham and Karan Johar had a bitter split is known to all and sundry, but according to Soham, it was a professional decision he took at that stage in life and he doesn't regret it one bit. Infact, he is still very much grateful and indebted to him.

His latest film Luck is Shree Ashtavinayak Production. Soham's association with them by luck only and through a common friend Rafi Kazi who introduced Soham to Rajbhai [Mehta], which he initially refused, since it had become difficult to judge who was fake and who wasn't. But after the very first meeting with Rajbhai, he felt some weight in his talks and that's how he went ahead with the film. Somewhere, he have to give maximum credit to Sanjay Dutt for making this work. He believed in him and supporting him wholeheartedly.

Luck stars A-listers like Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Mithun Chakrabarty and Danny Denzongpa. But what stands out is Ravi Kishan, who has been cast in a crucial role. This unusual choice was made by him after watching Big Boss and as yet he is very confident of it.

The talented director now has two more scripts being developed; one of them is meant for Sanjay Dutt's production house.

Well...his time has come with luck!!!

Kalpana Lazmi - Acclaimed Women Director!

Kalpana Lazmi was born in 1954and is a renowned Indian film director, producer and script writer. Lazmi is an independent filmmaker working more on realistic, low budget films, which are known in India as parallel cinema. Her films are often woman-oriented films.

Kalpana Lazmi debuted as an assistant director assisting the veteran film director Shyam Benegal. She later went on to work as an assistant costume designer with Shyam Benegal's Bhumika: The Role (1979) that starred Smita Patil.

She debuted as a director with the documentary film. The film D.G. Movie Pioneer in 1978 went well with audiences and she moved on to direct more documentaries like A Work Study in Tea Plucking (1979) and Along the Brahmaputra (1981).

She debuted as a film director in 1986 with Ek Pal (one minute), starring Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. She produced the film, took part in the film writing and had written the screenplay for the film along with Gulzar. Lazmi was appreciated for her Hindi directorial debut.

She then took a break from directing movies and went to direct her first television serial Lohit Kinare (1988) starring Tanvi Azmi. She made her comeback to cinema in 1993 with the critically acclaimed Rudaali starring Dimple Kapadia. Kapadia won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance and Lazmi also won accolades for directing the film.

Her next film was Darmiyan (1997) which was directed and produced by her. The movie starred Kirron Kher and Tabu in pivotal roles.

Her next film in 2001 was Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence. The film was distributed by the Indian Government and was highly acclaimed by critics. It was the second time that an actress won the National Film Award for Best Actress under Lazmi's directorial hand. This time
it was Raveena Tandon, who was not as appreciated before, and Lazmi was credited as being the one to exploit the hidden talent in her.

Her next film, Kyon? (2003) went unnoticed. Her last film to hit screens was Chingaari in 2006 that starred Sushmita Sen as a village prostitute. Chingaari turned out to be a commercial box-office flop whereas the role that Sushmita played was noticed.

She is currently in a live-in relationship with the Assamese music composer Bhupen Hazarika, who apparently gave the music for Rudaali.

Subhash Ghai on a talent hunt

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who launched some of Bollywood's most successful debutantes, including Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Manisha Koirala and Mahima Chaudhary and his most notable films include Karz (1980), Hero (1983), Meri Jung (1985), Karma (1986), Saudagar (1991), Khalnayak (1993), Pardes (1997) and Taal (1999). The director will be on the hunt again for new talent to win over millions of hearts on the silver screen.

His nation-wide hunt, that begins from June 26, would cover Chandigarh, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Selected students would get the opportunity to join his 'Actors' Studio' at his film institute Whistling Woods International (WWI) at the Film City.

The grooming process will include a two-year curriculum designed in consultation with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. The studio will also offer scholarships, and advanced training options, including additional training techniques.

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.