Nanabhai Bhatt


Nanabhai Bhatt was a well-known Indian film director and producer of Bollywood and Gujarati cinema, known for making over a hundred fantasy and mythological films, including Mr. X, Zimbo Comes to Town, Lal Qila and the blockbuster Kangan starring Nirupa Roy and Ashok Kumar. His first film, Muqabala, was the first to feature the double-role or "twins" phenomenon in Indian cinema, wherein lead actress Fearless Nadia alternated between the good sister and the gangster's moll. The formula was subsequently emulated in numerous Hindi films.

Early life and career

Bhatt, called Yeshwant Bhatt, was born on 12 June 1915 in Porbandar, British India. He started his early career in films as a sound recordist with Prakash Pictures, working under his brother Balwant Bhatt, and then by writing "scripts and stories" using the name Batuk Bhatt. He began his directorial venture when he joined Homi Wadia's team at Basant Pictures by co-directing two films with Babubhai Mistri, Muqabala and Mauj, under the same name. He directed two more films as Batuk Bhatt, Homi Wadia's Hunterwali Ki Beti and Liberty Pictures Sudhar. Bhatt left Basant Pictures and started his own production company "Deepak Pictures" in 1946.

Personal life

Bhatt, a Nagar Brahmin,was the patriarch of the Bhatt film family. He had five daughters and four sons, including noted film director and producer Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt, and Robin Bhatt.
Bhatt died at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai from heart failure on 24 April 1999.

Filmography

Producer