Nanabhai N. Bhatt (b. 1915)

Hindi-Gujarati director, aka Batuk Bhatt. Born as Yeshwant Bhatt in Porbandar, Gujarat. Seminal influence on the post-WW2 Hindi B- movie. Entered films as sound recordist at Prakash Pics where his elder brother Balwant Bhatt worked. Early career as director with stunt-movie producer Chandrarao Kadam. With Babubhai Mistri, was briefly employed in Homi Wadia’s Basant Pics (1942), then owned Deepak Pics in Bombay (1946). Début with the classic Nadia double-role crime movie Muqabala. Films often based on cheaper variations of Prakash Pics megabudget mythologicals featuring tales from the Ramayana (Ram Janma). Also known for Arabian Nights fantasies (Baghdad, Baghdad Ki Raatein, Arabian Nights). Has often presented elaborate special effects, e.g. the famous scene of the sword fight between two invisible men in Sinbad the Sailor. Also made crime movies (Kangan, Police Detective). Appeared in the documentary about Nadia, Fearless - The Hunterwali Story (1993). Father of film-maker Mahesh Bhatt.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1942: Muqabala; 1943:Hunterwali Ki Beti; Mauj; 1945: Chalis Karod; 1946: Maa Baap Ki Laaj; 1947: Meerabai; 1949: Shaukeen; Veer Ghatotkach; Sudhaar; 1950: Hamara Ghar; Janmashthami; Veer Babruwahan; 1951: Lakshmi Narayan; Daman; Lav Kush; Ram Janma; 1952: Apni Izzat; Baghdad; Sinbad the Sailor; 1954: Toote Khilone; Watan; 1956: Kismet; 1957: Mr X; Ustad; 1958: Chaalbaaz; Son of Sinbad; 1959: Bazigar; Daaka; Kangan; Madam XYZ; Naya Sansar; 1960: Lal Qila; Police Detective; Zimbo Comes to Town; 1961: Teen Ustad; 1962: Baghdad Ki Raatein; Rocket Girl; 1963: Alapiranthavan; Bhootnath; Cobra Girl; 1964: Samson; 1965: Adhi Raat Ke Baad; Bekhabar; 1966: Shankar Khan; 1967: Arabian Nights; 1968: Jung Aur Aman; 1974: Jeevan Rekha; 1975: Balak Aur Jaanwar; 1976: Dharti Mata; 1981: Gajara Maru; 1982: Jaya Parvati Vrat.

Director