Remembering Kundan Shah: The man who gave Indian film industry 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'

Moneycontrol News

It's been 35 years since the release of cult-classic film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro but the film is still relevant and manages to tickle our funny bones even now.

What makes the film so interesting is its writing and the credit goes to National award winning director Kundan Shah who showcased the struggles of common people, a premise that still finds place among the audience. So much so that the movie was re-released in 2012.

Born on October 19, 1947, Shah studied direction at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and made his directorial debut with "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" in 1983.

It was Shah's film that introduced Indian cinema to satirical comedy for the first time and was well accepted as not being slapstick.

The movie, featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik, Bhakti Barve and Neena Gupta, went on to achieve cult status despite a poor box office showing.

The film, that revolves around two bumbling photographers, a canny newspaper editor and corrupt civic officials, is a scathing commentary on contemporary India.

Shah received his first and only National Award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director - for the film.

However, Shah had returned the award during the student protests in his alma mater FTII in 2015 over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman.

After "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro", Shah switched to television and teamed up with Saeed Akhtar Mirza for his debut TV show "Nukkad".

One of the most popular shows in the '80s, "Nukkad" gave Indian audiences memorable characters like Khopdi, Kaderbhai and Ghanshu Bhikari.

His next TV show was "Wagle Ki Duniya", based on cartoonist R K Laxman's common man.

Shah came back to Bollywood in 1993 with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa". The film received critical acclaim and is counted among Shah Rukh's best performances.

His next "Kya Kehna", again a story that was ahead of its time, dealt with teenage preganacy and the stigma attached to it.

It was a box office success and became one of the highest grossing films of 2000. The film helped establish Preity Zinta's career in the Hindi film industry.

The director made a number of films after "Kya Kehna", but sadly commercial success eluded him.

Bidding farewell

The noted director today died of a heart attack and his last rites are likely to be held at Shivaji Park, Dadar, this evening.

Shah's sudden demise shocked his friends in the industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of filmmaker Kundan Shah and said he would be remembered for his wonderful use of humour in films.

"Anguished by the passing away of Shri Kundan Shah. He will be remembered for his wonderful usage of humour and satire to showcase the life & struggles of common citizens," Modi tweeted. "My thoughts are with his family & admirers. May his soul rest in peace," the prime minister added.

His friend and colleague Satish Shah, who played one of the principal characters in "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro", told PTI, "I just got to know about Shah's demise. I have reached his house. It is really sad."

Director Hansal Mehta paid tributes to Shah by posting a black and white photograph of the "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" team.

"'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' RIP Kundan Shah. Sad news," he wrote.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt remembered Shah as a brave man "who added vigour to the alternate cinema stream with movies like 'Jaane bhi do yaaro'".

Farhan Akhtar wrote, "Saddened to learn that Kundan Shah is no more. Will never forget his genuineness, his cinematic knowledge and his unique sense of humour. RIP".

Karan Johar said, "RIP Kundan Shah... A cult filmmaker ... A solid story teller."

Sudhir Mishra said the director was a huge influence when he was a 22-year-old and helped him find his voice.

"It's probably wrong but I can't help but imagine Kundan Shah and Renu Saluja meeting and arguing over a cut and maybe Ravi Baswani is mediating!" he added.

Riteish Deshmukh said, "RIP Kundan Shah.... A master storyteller no more. Condolences to the family and loved ones.

(With PTI inputs)