Prakash Mehra (b. 1939)
Hindi director and producer born in Bijnaur, UP. Assistant to Dhirubhai Desai at Vishnu Cinetone (1958-9). Worked as a lyricist in the 60s, then director. Made Bachchan’s first major hit, Zanjeer and launched the star’s image as a lumpen-vigilante hero, an orphaned (Zanjeer) or illegitimate (Muqaddar Ka Sikandar) outsider. Also made some of Bachchan’s bestknown buddy films, usually co-starring Vinod Khanna (Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Hera Pheri).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1968: Hasina Maan Jayegi; 1971: Mela; 1972: Aan Baan; Samadhi; 1973: Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara; Zanjeer; 1974: Haath Ki Safai; 1976: Hera Pheri; Khalifa; 1978: Aakhri Daku; Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; 1980: Desh Drohi; Jwalamukhi; 1981: Lawaris; 1982: Namak Halal; 1984: Sharabi; 1987: Muqaddar Ka Faisla; 1988: Mohabbat Ke Dushman; 1989: Jadugar; 1992: Zindagi Ek Jua.