Prakash Jha
Jha in 2012
Born (1952-02-27) 27 February 1952 (age 71)
Bettiah, Bihar, India
Occupation(s)Film producer, director, screenwriter, actor
Years active1982⁠–⁠present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1985; div. 2002)​
ChildrenDisha Jha (daughter)
Parent
  • Tej Nath Jha (father)
Websiteprakashjhaproductions.com

Prakash Jha (born 27 February 1952) is an Indian film producer, actor, director and screenwriter, mostly known for his political and socio-political films such as Hip Hip Hurray (1984), Damul (1984), Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005), and his multi-starrer films, Raajneeti (2010), Aarakshan (2011), Chakravyuh (2012), and Satyagraha (2013). He is also the maker of National Film Award winning documentaries like Faces After The Storm (1984) and Sonal (2002).

He runs a production company, Prakash Jha Productions.[1] He also owns the P&M Mall in Patna and the P&M Hi-Tech City Centre Mall in Jamshedpur.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Prakash Jha was raised at his family's farm in Barharwa, Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar, India. His father's name is Shri Tej Nath Jha. He did his schooling from Sainik School Tilaya,[3] Koderma district and Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. Later, he joined Ramjas College, Delhi University to do BSc (Hons) in Physics, though he left his studies after one year,[4] and decided to go to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) and become a painter. While he was preparing for J.J. School of Arts, he happened to witness the shooting of the film Dharma and got hooked on filmmaking. He graduated from KC College, Mumbai[5][6]

He joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1973, to do a course in editing. Midway through it, the institution was closed for while due to student agitation, so he came to Bombay, started working, and never went back to complete the course.[7]

Personal life

Prakash was married to actress Deepti Naval with whom he has an adopted daughter Disha Jha.[8][9]

Career

Parts of this article (those related to this section) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2019)
Katrina Kaif and Prakash Jha during the promotion of Rajneeti (2010)

While still midway through his course, he started working on films independently in 1974.[10] He made his first documentary, Under the Blue, in 1975, and continued to do so for the next eight years.[4]

During this period he made some highly politically charged documentaries, like the one of the Bihar Sharif riot, titled, Faces After Storm (1984). It received considerable attention, as it was banned within 4–5 days of its release,[7] though later it won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.

He made his debut as a feature film director with Hip Hip Hurray in 1984, scripted by Gulzar and starring Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval as leads.[11] Next came the film he received most recognition for, Damul (1984), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature 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.[12]

Over the years he has made over 25 documentaries, 13 feature films, two television features and three television series, including the popular TV serial Mungerilal Ke Hasin Sapne. His production company has produced five films with independent directors.[13][14]

In 2004, Jha directed the 112-minute film Loknayak, based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan. In the film, Chetan Pandit played the role of Narayan and Tisca Chopra played Prabhavati Devi, the wife of JP.[15][16][17][18][19]

In 2010, Jha directed Raajneeti, a contemporary take on the epic Mahabharata. It starred Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Naseeruddin Shah, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar and Ranbir Kapoor, and was a critical and commercial success. His next venture was Aarakshan, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar.[20] In 2012, Jha's release Chakravyuh starred Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpai, Kabir Bedi and Esha Gupta, and was released in Dussehra 2012.[21][22][23][24] His next film Satyagraha (2013) starred Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.[25][26]

In 2019, he acted in the film Saand Ki Aankh a biographical film directed by Tushar Hiranandani. He played Rattan Singh Tomar, the patriarch of the Tomar family.[27]

Politics

Prakash Jha contested and lost the 14th Lok Sabha election from his native place Bettiah in 2004. He stood 6th and managed to get around 26,000 votes only, while the winner Raghunath Jha got 2,11,590 votes.[28] He also lost the 15th Lok Sabha election to Sanjay Jaiswal in 2009 as Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) candidate from Paschim Champaran.[29][30][31] In the same election Sadhu Yadav stood 3rd as INC candidate.

Jha once again contested in the 16th Lok Sabha election in 2014 as a Janata Dal (United) candidate from Paschim Champaran and lost to Sanjay Jaiswal. In 2014 election affidavit he had mentioned that he has assets worth ₹92.5 crores and liabilities worth ₹55.2 crores.[32]

Social initiatives

Anubhooti

Prakash Jha is the chairman of Anubhooti,[33] a registered society that has been working for cultural development, improvement of health care, disaster management and the upliftment of farmers and socio-economically backward people in Bihar since 1991.

Most recently, the organization has been working for flood survivors. After the Kosi flood on 18 August 2008, Anubhooti has provided complete relief to 6000 people since September 2008. Anubhooti has created a model village, Hindolwa village, for those the flood affected, and is working towards their complete rehabilitation. Anubhooti has provided relief to 5000 people for health care in Supaul district in Bihar.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1982 Shree Vats
(documentary)		 Director Film on the Pune-based institute Shreevatsa
1983 Faces After The Storm
(documentary)		 Director National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film
Best Documentary of the year
International Film Festival of India, Special Jury Award
1984 Hip Hip Hurray Director All India Film Awards Association, Best Director
1985 Damul Director, producer, co-script writer National Film Award for Best Feature Film
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie
1986 Kudiattam
(documentary)		 Director National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film
1988 Looking Back
(documentary)		 Director National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary
1989 Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne Director Television serial
1989 Parinati Director, producer National Film Award for Best Costume Design
Presented as an Outstanding Film at the London Film Festival at the London Film Festival
1996 Bandish Director, producer
1997 Mrityudand
("Death Sentence")		 Director, producer, editor, dialogue writer Screen Cinema Award, Best Actor in a Negative Role
Screen Cinema Award, Best Dialogue
Screen Cinema Award, Best Screenplay
Zee Cine Award, Best Dialogue
Zee Cine Award, Best Director
Sansui Film Awards, Best Film (Critics Choice)
Sansui Film Awards, Best Actress
Special Jury Award, Cinema Tout Ecran, Geneva for Best Feature
Audience Award, Best Feature, Bangkok Film Festival
1999 Dil Kya Kare Director, editor, story writer
2001 Rahul Director
2002 Sonal
(Documentary)		 Director National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film
2003 Gangaajal Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
2004 Loknayak Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer Based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan
2005 Apaharan Director, producer, story writer National Film Award for Best Screenplay
Filmfare Best Dialogue Award
Star Screen Best Screenplay Award
2007 Dil Dosti Etc Producer
Khoya Khoya Chand Producer
2010 Raajneeti Director, producer, dialogue writer Star Screen Best Screenplay Award
2011 Turning 30 Producer
Yeh Saali Zindagi Producer
Aarakshan Director, producer
2012 Chakravyuh Director, producer
2013 Satyagraha Director, producer
2015 Crazy Cukkad Family producer
2016 Jai Gangaajal director, actor, producer
2017 Lipstick Under My Burkha producer
2018 Saare Jahan Se Acha (series) Anchor Web Series [34] Directed by Prakash Bhardwaj (Director)[35]
2019 Fraud Saiyaan producer
Pareeksha – The Final Test Director, producer Released on ZEE5
Saand Ki Aankh Rattan Singh Tomar Actor[27]
2020 Aashram Director, producer Web series on MX Player
Matto Ki Saikil Matto Actor[36]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2023 Rafuchakkar Pawan Kumar Bawariya's father

Awards

National Film Awards

Filmfare Awards

Star Screen Awards

Filmfare OTT Awards

Year Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Best Series - Drama Aashram Nominated [41]
Best Director - Drama, Series Nominated

ITA Awards

Year Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Best Landmark OTT Show Aashram Won [42]

References

  1. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  2. ^ Bose, Antara (3 August 2017). "Shopaholics, the big brands are coming". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Sainik Schools Society". Sainikschoolsociety.org. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Prakash Jha : Hrishikesh Mukharjee cried after watching my film - PassionForCinema". 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. ^ Bollypedia. "Prakash Jha | Biography, Filmography, Gallery, Awards, Videos | Bollypedia". bollypedia.in. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Our Prominent Alumni". KC College of Arts, Commerce & Science, Mumbai. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  7. ^ a b Prakash Jha The Cinemas of India, by Yves Thoraval. Macmillan India, 2000. ISBN 0-333-93410-5, ISBN 978-0-333-93410-4. Page 191-192.
  8. ^ "Today's actors have become picky: Prakash Jha". hindustantimes.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Prakash Jha during the launch of Deepti Naval's book 'The Mad Tibetan'". Photogallery.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  10. ^ Interviews Movies, Rediff.com, 3 February 2003.
  11. ^ Filmmaker sees hope in Bihar Telegraph, 4 December 2005.
  12. ^ "Prakash Jha : Deepti Naval and I never cherished any negativity between us » PassionForCinema". 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Prakash Jha". IMDb. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Uncensored 'Loknayak' to be screened soon". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News ? Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  17. ^ "Jayaprakash Narayan deserved better". Rediff.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Prakash Jha declines to change his film on JP". Newsoutlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  19. ^ "I am fully indebted to theatre". The Hindu. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  20. ^ "Tinselgurus.net". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  21. ^ "India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Arjun to enter 'Chakravyuh' next week". Supergoodmovies.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  23. ^ "Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO, Mutual Funds News". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  24. ^ "'Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  25. ^ "My 'Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha". Zee News. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  26. ^ "Prakash Jha accuses Censor board of bizarre cuts in 'Jai Gangaajal'". The Indian Express. PTI. 7 January 2016.
  27. ^ a b "Prakash Jha joins the cast of Saand Ki Aankh". The Indian Express. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Bettiah Lok Sabha elections". Result University. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  29. ^ "After Nitish declined, I needed a party: Prakash Jha". Mid-day.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Of course, I'll contest elections: Prakash Jha". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  31. ^ "I will not contest an election again. Even without being an MP, I do whatever I can". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  32. ^ "Sri Prakash Jha (JDU), Constituency:Paschim Champaran". Myneta.info. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Anubhooti : Home". anubhootingo.org. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  34. ^ "Prakash Jha to honour unsung heroes on his web show, Saare Jahan Se Achha!". Hindustantimes. 30 January 2018.
  35. ^ "Prakash Jha is identity of 'Sare Jahan Se Achha': Director". 21 September 2018 – via Business Standard.
  36. ^ "On a Bicycle from Mathura to Busan". The Wire.
  37. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  39. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  40. ^ "Prakash Jha Productions". Prakashjhaproductions.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  41. ^ "My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations". FilmFare. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  42. ^ "ITA Awards 2021 full winners list out. Surbhi Chandna and Pratik Gandhi win big". India Today. Retrieved 3 October 2021.

External links

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