Nanabhai Bhatt

Click to view attachment


(12 June 1915 - 24 April 1999)

Veteran Film-maker Nanabhai Bhatt, who directed more than 100 action-packed thrillers between the 30’s and the 70’s...Father of noted film director Mahesh Bhatt, producer Mukesh Bhatt and writer Robin Bhatt,

A native of Porbandar in Gujarat, he moved to Mumbai in 1930 to try his luck in the world of films. ‘Muqabla’ was his first film as a director, released in 1932.

His best known films are ‘Mr X’, starring Ashok Kumar, ‘Zimbo Comes to Town’, ‘Sinbad, the Sailor’, ‘Teen Ustad’ and ‘Lal Quila’. He also made a science fiction movie ‘Rocket Girl’ and a mythological ‘Veer Ghatothkach’.

Nanabhai’s last film was ‘Jeevan Rekha’, released in 1976.

Nanabhai's wife was a Shia Muslim, but she was a closet Muslim, as she wanted to immerse herself in the image of a Hindu woman.....
In Son Mahesh Bhatt's words... she never imposed any faith on us. We celebrated all the religious festivals, Diwali and Christmas with our friends. I went to my aunt’s house for Id and the taste of sevaiyan still persists.....Secularism was a habit, we did not have to labour to embrace it or rise up to acquire it — it was an actuality in our day–to–day life....

I inherited my vegetarianism from my father. People say I am more Hindu in my way of life, but also have the aggression of the Shia Muslim. It was further confused when I married a Christian girl.

Nanabhai produced and directed more than 100 films, many of them fantasies and Sci fi....

some prominent films

Muqabla
Chalis karod
Shaukeen
Sindbad the sailor
Lav kush
Veer Ghatotkach
Hamara ghar
Daman
Kangan
Kismet
Ustad
Mr. X
Apni Izzat
Son of Sindbad
Chalbaaz
Naya sansar
Kangan
Daaka
Madam xyz
Police detective
Rocket girl
Teen Ustad
Aadh raat ke baad
Samson
Arabian nights
Baghdad ki raaten
Balak aur janwar
Jeevan rekha

Music was always a strong point in all his films....
He leaves behind four sons, five daughters and grand-daughter actress Pooja Bhatt..