Kundan Shah dies at 69: Rare photos of the filmmaker

Renowned filmmaker Kundan Shah, known for 1983 cult comedy film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and classic Doordarshan sitcom Wagle Ki Duniya, passed away on Saturday. He may be no more, but he will stay in our memories because of his work. Shah won a National Award for his direction of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and went on to make many popular films like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Kya Kehna and Dil Hai Tumhara among others.

Kundan Shah's arguably best work was also his first. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was his directorial debut.

The film was satirical and was different from the usual Indian comedy in that it did not rely on slapstick humour.

Wagle Ki Duniya, another well-known project of Kundan Shah starring Aanjjan Srivastav, is one of the best known classic Doordarshan shows and was noted for its portrayal of the travails of a common man.

In mid 1980s, before Wagle Ki Duniya, Kundan Shah had been involved with another Doordarshan show that has now gained a cult status. That show was Nukkad.

After taking a break of seven years from cinema, Kundan Shah returned with 1993 film Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa starring Shah Rukh Khan and Suchitra Krishnamurthy. He won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie for the film.

In 1998, Kundan Shah directed Kya Kehna, starring Preity Zinta (who debuted with this film). The film also starred Saif Ali Khan and Chandrachur Singh.

Kundan Shah's subsequent films Hum To Mohabbat Karega, Dil Hai Tumhara and Ek Se Badhkar Ek were failures at the box office.