Mehboob Khan (born Mehboob Khan Ramzan Khan; 9 September 1907
at filmreference.com. – 28 May 1964) was a pioneer producer-director of

Indian cinema The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, ...

, best known for directing the social epic ''

Mother India ''Mother India'' is a 1957 Indian epic drama film, directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. A remake of Khan's earlier film '' Aurat'' (1940), it is the story of a poverty-stricken village wom ...

'' (1957), which won the Filmfare Awards for Best Film and Best Director, two National Film Awards, and was a nominee for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He set up his production company – Mehboob Productions, and later a film studio –

Mehboob Studios Mehboob Studio is an Indian film studio and recording studio in Bandra (W), Mumbai, founded in 1954 by director and producer Mehboob Khan, who previously owned Mehboob Productions (founded 1942), and is most known for films such as ''Mother Indi ...

in Bandra, Mumbai in 1954. He also created the dacoit film genre with '' Aurat'' (1940) and ''Mother India'', and is also known for other blockbusters including the romantic drama '' Andaz'' (1949), the swashbuckling musical '' Aan'' (1951), and the melodrama ''

Amar Amar may refer to: People Given name * Amar (British singer) (born 1982), British Indian singer born Amar Dhanjal * Amar (Lebanese singer) (born 1986), born Amar Mahmoud Al Tahech * Amar Bose (1929–2013), Founder of Bose Corporation * Amar Gup ...

'' (1954).

Early life

Khan was born Mehboob Khan Ramzan Khan in Bilimora in Gandevi Taluka of Baroda State (now

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

) on 9 September 1907.

Career

He was brought to Bombay from his home town in Gujarat by Noor Muhammad Ali Muhammed Shipra Baddhiyawala (producer and horse supplier in Indian cinema) to work as a horseshoe repairer in a stable (owned by Noor Muhammad Ali Muhammed Shipra Baddhiyawala). One day at the shooting of South Indian director Chandrashekhar, Mehboob showed interest in working with Chandrashekhar. After seeing his great interest and skills, Chandrashekhar asked Noor Muhammad Ali Muhammed Shipra Baddhiyawala to allow him to take Mehboob with him to work at small jobs in the film studios of Bombay. He started as an assistant director in the

Silent Film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

era and as an

extra Extra or Xtra may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''The Extra'' (1962 film), a Mexican film * ''The Extra'' (2005 film), an Australian film Literature * ''Extra'' (newspaper), a Brazilian newspaper * ''Extra!'', an American me ...

in the studios of the Imperial Film Company of Ardeshir Irani, before directing his first film '' Al Hilal'' a.k.a. ''Judgement of Allah'' (1935), when he started directing films for the ''Sagar Film Company''. Notable films he directed for Sagar Movietone and National Studios included '' Deccan Queen'' (1936), '' Ek Hi Raasta'' (1939), '' Alibaba'' (1940), '' Aurat'' (1940) and '' Bahen'' (1941). In 1945, Khan set up his own production house –

Mehboob Productions Mehboob Studio is an Indian film studio and recording studio in Bandra (W), Mumbai, founded in 1954 by director and producer Mehboob Khan, who previously owned Mehboob Productions (founded 1942), and is most known for films such as ''Mother Indi ...

. In 1946, he directed the musical hit ''

Anmol Ghadi Anmol Ghadi (English translation: Precious Watch ) is a 1946 Indian drama film directed by Mehboob Khan, starring Surendra, Suraiya and Noor Jehan. The film was a musical hit and still remembered for its music by Naushad, with hits like "Aawaaz ...

'', which featured singing stars Surendra, Noor Jehan and

Suraiya Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (15 June 1929 – 31 January 2004), popularly known by the mononym Suraiya, was a popular actress and playback singer in India's Hindi-language films. She was active from 1936 to 1963, and was the most celebrated actress ...

in leading roles. Khan went on to produce and direct many blockbuster films, the most notable being the romantic drama '' Andaz'' (1949), the swashbuckling musical '' Aan'' (1951), the melodrama ''

'' (1954), and the social epic ''

'' (1957). The latter was nominated for an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

in 1957 and was a remake of his 1940 film '' Aurat''. His earlier works were in

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
'' Hindustani, a friendlier and softer spoken version of

Hindi Hindi ( Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...

and Urdu. Several of his films, especially his earlier work on ''Humayun'' (1945), the story of a Mogul emperor who ruled India, ''

'' (1946), and ''Taqdeer'', (in which he introduced

Nargis Nargis Dutt (born Fatima Rashid; 1 June 1929 – 3 May 1981) was an Indian actress and politician who worked in Hindi cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, she made her screen debut in a minor role ...

, who later married Sunil Dutt), were written by

Aghajani Kashmeri Syed Wajid Hussain Rizvi (Urdu: , born 16 October 1908 – 27 March 1998), better known by his film screen name, Agha Jani Kashmiri (Urdu: ), was an Indian screenwriter, former actor and Urdu poet. He worked in Bollywood films, as a writer for a ...

. Kashmeri was responsible for picking and training Nargis in Hindustani and Urdu dialogue delivery. His last film as a director was 1962's '' Son of India''. Mehboob Studio courtyard

He died of a Heart Attack in 1964 at the age of 56 and was buried at Badakabarastan in Marine Lines,

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' fin ...

. His death occurred the day after the death of

Jawaharlal Nehru Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (; ; ; 14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat— * * * * and author who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20t ...

, the Prime Minister of India.

Industry influence

Khan introduced and helped establish the careers of many actors and actresses who went on to become big stars in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s such as Surendra, Arun Kumar Ahuja, Dilip Kumar,

Raj Kapoor Raj Kapoor (pronunciation: �aːd͡ʒ kəpuːɾ born Shrishti Nath Kapoor; also known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor; 14 December 1924 2 June 1988) was an Indian actor, film director and producer, who worked in Hindi cinema. He is considered one of th ...

, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar,

Nimmi Nawab Bano (18 February 1933 – 25 March 2020), better known by her stage name Nimmi, was an Indian screen actress who achieved stardom in the 1950s and early 1960s in Hindi films. She was one of the leading actresses of the "golden era" of Hin ...

and Nadira. In 1961, he was a member of the jury at the

2nd Moscow International Film Festival The 2nd Moscow International Film Festival was held from 9 to 23 July 1961. The Grand Prix was shared between the Japanese film ''The Naked Island'' directed by Kaneto Shindo and the Soviet film '' Clear Skies'' directed by Grigori Chukhrai. Ju ...

. He remained the president of the

Film Federation of India The Film Federation of India (FFI) is an apex body of the Indian film producers (around 18,000), distributors (around 20,000), exhibitors (around 12,000) and studio owners, headquartered in Mumbai.Shahid Alikhan, R. A. Mashelkar, "Intellectual pro ...

. Mehboob Khan was known for having been influenced by Hollywood, and his films often featured lavish sets in the style of the Hollywood at that time. The oppression of the poor, class warfare and rural life are recurring themes in his work. Mehboob Khan was awarded the title of ''Hidayat Kar-e-Azam'' by the Indian government.

Personal life

Mehboob Khan married twice. With his first wife Fatima, he had three sons: Ayub, Iqbal and Shaukat. After separation from his first wife, he married the famous Indian film actress Sardar Akhtar (1915–1986) in 1942. He adopted Sajid Khan (born 28 December 1951), who has starred in Indian and foreign English films.

Death and legacy

Mehboob Khan died of a heart attack on 28 May 1964. As a part of his birth centenary celebrations, the Indian postal department released a commemorative stamp of Mehboob Khan at a function held at the

in September 2007.

Filmography

As a director

* '' Son of India'' (1962) * ''A Handful of Grain'' (1959) * ''

'' (1957) * ''

'' (1954) * '' Aan'' (1952) * '' Andaz'' (1949) * '' Anokhi Ada'' (1948) * '' Elaan'' (1947) * ''

'' (1946) * ''

Humayun Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad ( fa, ) (; 6 March 1508 – 27 January 1556), better known by his regnal name, Humāyūn; (), was the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, who ruled over territory in what is now Eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northe ...

'' (1945) * '' Najma'' (1943) * '' Taqdeer'' (1943) * '' Roti'' (1942) * ''

Huma Gun Anmogaldi ''Huma Gun Anmogaldi'' is a Bollywood film directed by Mehboob Khan. It was released in Bollywood films of 1942, 1942. References External links

* 1942 films 1940s Hindi-language films Indian black-and-white films {{1940s-Hindi-fi ...

'' (1942) * '' Bahen'' (1941) * '' Alibaba'' (1940) * '' Aurat'' (1940) * '' Ek Hi Raasta'' (1939) * '' Hum Tum Aur Woh'' (1938) * '' Watan'' (1938) * '' Jagirdar'' (1937) * '' Deccan Queen'' (1936) * ''

Manmohan Manmohan means 'Winner of the heart'. It is another name of Krishna, the Hindu deity, one of the "avatars" (or "incarnation") of Lord Vishnu. Manmohan may also refer to: *Man Mohan Adhikari (1920–1999), former Prime Minister of Nepal *Manmohan (a ...

'' (1936) * '' Al Hilal'' a.k.a. ''Judgement of Allah'' (1935)

As a producer

* ''

'' (1957) * ''

'' (1954) * '' Aan'' (1952) * '' Anokhi Ada'' (1948) * '' Elaan'' (1947) * ''

'' (1946) * ''Zarina'' (1932)

As an actor

* '' Chandrahasa'' (1933) * ''Zarina'' (1932) * ''Dilawar'' (1931) * ''Meri Jaan'' (1931)

As a writer

* '' Watan'' (1938) (story) * '' Al Hilal'' a.k.a. ''Judgement of Allah'' (1935) (story, screenplay)

Awards and honours

;

Academy Awards The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

* 1958 – Best Foreign Language Film – ''Mother India'' (nomination) ; National Film Awards * 1958 – All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film – ''

'' * 1958 – Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Hindi – ''Mother India'' ; Filmfare Awards * 1958 – Best Film – ''Mother India'' * 1958 – Best Director – ''Mother India'' *

1963 Events January * January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Co ...

– Best Director – '' Son of India'' (nomination) ;Honours * 1963: Awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour by Government of India. * 30 March 2007, India Post released a commemorative stamp showing Maheboob Khan and a scene of 'Mother India' depicting Raaj Kumar & Nargis

References

External links

*
Mehboob Khan@SPICE

Mehboob Khan profile at Cineplot.com website - Archived
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Mehboob 1907 births 1964 deaths Filmfare Awards winners Gujarati people Hindi-language film directors Film directors from Mumbai Film producers from Mumbai 20th-century Indian film directors Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Male actors in Hindi cinema Indian male film actors 20th-century Indian male actors Film directors from Gujarat Film producers from Gujarat Male actors from Gujarat People from Navsari district Urdu-language film directors