Mehul Kumar (b. 1949)

Gujarati and Hindi director, aka Mohammed Baloch. Born in Jamnagar; graduated from Bombay University and worked as a journalist, including film reviews in the magazine Chitarang. Involved in Gujarati theatre (1974- 5), then assistant to Chandrakant Sangani (1975-6) and to Tahir Hussain. His début is a Gujarati remake of Dada Kondke’s spectacularly successful lowbrow Marathi comedy, Pandu Havaldar (1975). 80s work mainly in mid-budget Hindi masala films, introducing this formula into Gujarati and achieving a broader acceptance and larger budgets. Marte Dam Tak, featuring the senior star Raaj Kumar alongside Govinda, made him one of the best-known vendetta action directors. He then yoked this genre successfully to a highly rhetorical story about nationalism to make the biggest Hindi hit of 1992, Tiranga, getting Raaj Kumar to act with the younger character actor, Nana Patekar.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1977: Chandu Jamadar; Janam Janamna Saathi/Phir? Janam Lenge Hum; 1978: Kanchan Ane Ganga; 1979: Rajputani; 1981: Ranchandi; Garvi Naar Gujaratni; Gamdeni Gori; Kanchan Aur Ganga; 1982: Maa Vina Suno Sansar; Dholi; Anokha Bandhan; Naseeb No Khel; 1983: Dhola Maru; Maradno Mandvo; 1984: Hiranne Kanthe; Love Marriage; 1985: Meru Malan; Preet Na Karsho Koi; Bhauji Maay; 1986: Sayba Mora; Ujali Meraman; 1987: Marte Dam Tak; 1989: Na Insaafi; Nafrat Ki Aandhi; Jungbaaz; Aasmaan Se Ooncha; 1990: Paap Ki Aandhi; Mandano Mor; 1991: Meet Mere Man Ke; 1992: Tiranga; 1993: Aansoo Bane Angarey; 1994: Krantiveer.

Director