Kundan Shah - A Master Story Teller Passes Away

Kundan Shah - A Master Story Teller Passes Away

 

 

Acclaimed writer-director Kundan Shah, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Sion residence on Saturday morning following a heart attack. With his demise the industry has lost one of the most talented personalities who gave us many a Tv serials and movies to cherish.

Kundan Shah's knack of tackling alternate cinema with satirical themes in a film like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and a show like Nukkad made him a master storyteller.

Kundan Shah had studied direction at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and made his feature film debut in 1983 with the cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983).

 

When Jaane Di Bhi Yaaro was released, it was a flop at box office. But over the years, the satire developed a cult following over the years, as the viewers really appreciated the intelligent humour in the movie, as well as the premise that still stays relevant even after 34 years. For the first time Indian cinema was introduced to a non slapstick humour film. The cult film remains one of his most popular films. The film may not have become a box office success but Shah received his first and only National Award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director - for the film which went on to become one of the most celebrated dark satirical comedies in the history of Indian cinema.

Taking a break from filmmaking Kundan Shah made his directorial debut on television in 1986 with the popular series Nukkad.

 

In 1988, he directed the sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya, based on cartoonist R K Laxman's character, the common man. SRK also had a cameo in the TV series, which was the first time he worked with Kundan Shah. Ye Jo Hai Zindagi, Intezaar (starring Shah Rukh Khan) and Manorajan, were some of the other popular TV serials he directed.

The director made his Bollywood comeback in 1993 with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. While this was a love story, the lead star SRK was no hero, in fact he was the naive, amateur loser who did everything to win over the girl he loved. He won the Filmfare critics award for this film, becoming the first one to be get this award. Shah Rukh Khan was hugely praised for his act.

Another gem he created was Kya Kehna (2000) starring Preity Zinta. The film tackled the sensitive subject single parenthood. The film was about a girl bearing a child out of wedlock and then facing the consequences thereafter. The film also starred Saif Ali Khan and Chandrachur Singh. His other films include Hum Toh Mohabbat Karega, Ek Se Badhkar Ek and Dil Hai Tumhara. His last film was in 2014 – P Se PM Tak that was a huge flop. Though Shah made several films, commercial success eluded him since the films that he did later couldn’t live upto the high standards set by his early works.

 

He was one of those 24 National Award winning filmmakers and writers, including Arundhati Roy and Saeed Mirza, who had announced that they’re returning their awards back in 2015 to protest against the growing intolerance in the country. The other 21 people to return their national awards were Virendra Saini, Ranjan Palit, Tapan Bose, Shriprakash, Sanjay Kak, Pradip Krishan, Tarun Bhartiya, Amitabh Chakraborty, Madhusree Dutta, Anwar Jamal, Ajay Raina, Irene Dhar Malik, P.M. Satheesh, Satya Rai Nagpaul, Manoj Lobo, Rafiq Ellias, Sudheer Palsane, Vivek Sachidanand, Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, Manoj Nitharwal and Abhimanyu Dange.

These were also among the 190 signatories who wrote to the government to pay heed to the “reasonable” demands of the FTII students, who ended their strike after a “protracted struggle of four months”.

The last rites of the filmmaker were carried out at the Shivaji Park crematorium in the evening.

Producer and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member Ashoke Pandit accompanied Kundan Shah’s family in the ambulance that carried the body from their residence in Sion.

Among the big names who attended the funeral were actors Naseetuddin Shah, Anil Kapoor, Kundan Shah’s dear friend and filmmaker Aziz Mirza, Sudhir Mishra, Ketan Mehta, Indra Kumar, Satish Shah, Pavan Malhotra, Makarand Deshpande, Rahul Dholakia, Deepak Dobriyal, Raj Zutshi, ad guru Prahlad Kakkar and others.

Since his death became public Twitter has been mourning the death of this filmmaker and he will be missed terribly. Kundan Shah has given cinema some of the best films and TV shows that we’ve seen growing up. Though no one from the filmmaker’s family has given a statement yet, we’re sure they’re devastated and hope they get through this tough time soon.

Actor Satish Shah said that he was yet to come to terms with the passing away of Kundan Shah.

"Kundan was a classmate of mine at FTII. I featured in his student film. I featured in his first ad film, I featured in his first feature film and I featured in his first television series. Everything was great when we were together. I am actually very dumbfounded I just came from his house and now again going back".

Actor Neena Gupta described Kundan as a “task master” and said her experience of working with him was very interesting.

"He was a hard task master. When we were doing ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, his focus was only the film and nothing else. In fact, he would quickly finish his lunch and tell us to get back to work because it was a small budget film. It was a crazy kind of an experience. It was like doing theatre. I was very young and very new to the field, so it was a very interesting experience. I felt like a part of the cast and crew. It was really nice working for it. At that time, I couldn’t imagine the film would go on to become a classic. We were just thankful to get the role that we enjoyed playing.

Screenwriter and Director Habib Faisal described Kundan Shah’s classic as “comfort food”.

Habib Faisal, I didn’t know him personally but we all love his work. I can’t tell you how many times exactly I have watched ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’. But yes, it’s like... comfort food. Like, as a writer, if I get stuck or am not able to solve a problem.And not even just professionally, if something is bothering me, I just watch ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’. Like I said, it’s comfort food.

Sajid Khan reminicsed, "Kundan Shah directed a couple of my TV episodes in the mid-90s. he was not only a genius filmmaker , but also a very nice human being. Strict, funny and father-like. He was so simple. I firstly couldn’t believe the director of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was coming to direct us, I felt very honoured. Lunch time, I saw something which I haven’t seen in my entire life; I saw Kundan standing in the line with the other unit members to have lunch. And seeing that, everyone, the DOP, the editor, everyone was standing in line. Because what Kundan told me, ‘Every person, right from the director to the actor to the person standing on the ceiling banging nails’, every person is equal on the set. That was unique of him.

Talking about his favourite moment in the film, he said, “I must’ve seen Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, like, 200 times. The ‘Thoda Khau Thoda Pheko’ scene from the film is extremely funny, and the climax is extraordinary. And there’s one scene in the film with Naseeruddin Shah and Satish Kaushik are talking on the phone, and they come back-to-back in the same room; that is to the level of Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers hating it out together. Two very funny, great actors doing great comedy. They were all a whacked out team and didn’t even know what they were making. I guess that’s what makes the film such a classic, an unintentional classic”.

Amongst the many who took to Twitter to mourn the loss of the iconic filmmaker. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condolences.

PMO India@PMOIndia

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. My thoughts are with his family & admirers. May his soul rest in peace: PM @narendramodi

Shah Rukh Khan@iamsrk

Oh my friend I miss you. I know u will bring smiles around wherever u are…but this world will laugh less now. RIP

Mahesh Bhatt@MaheshNBhatt

A brave man Kundan Shah, who added vigour to the alternate cinema stream with movies like Jaane bhi do yaaro has left us. Adieux Kundan

Karan Johar@karanjohar

RIP Kundan Shah.... a cult filmmaker ...a solid story teller.....

Satish Kaushik@satishkaushik2 

RIP Kundan Shah. We will be always indebted to you for 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'. A cult classic. You gave comedy a new face. Indian cinema will miss you.

Suchitra Krishnamoorthy@suchitrak

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of Kundan Shah. A good man. A genius filmmaker. RIP and a glorious afterlife.

Nandita Das@nanditadas

Had a few interactions with Kundan Shah, a fine human being and yes, 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' will remain a cult film for a long time to come. RIP Kundan ji.

Raveena Tandon@TandonRaveena

Worked with him in Ek Se Badhkar Ek. A true gentleman. Quiet unassuming genius of a man. You will be missed sir.

Omung Kumar@OmungKumar

My privilege that I could work with you on a film as an art director. You will always be missed. RIP... genius Kundan Shah.

Shekhar Suman@shekharsuman7

Kundan Shah an icon, iconoclast, one of the most celebrated directors is no more. What a colossal tragedy. What an immense loss. Bon Voyage!

Manoj Bajpayee@BajpayeeManoj ‏

This is such a tragic news for all the cinema lovers. Will miss you Kundan sir. May you rest in peace!

Madhur Bhandarkar@imbhandarkar

Shocked to know about the demise of Kundan Shahji. Will be remembered for his cult classic 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' and his contribution to films and TV.

Hansal Mehta@mehtahansal

'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'... RIP Kundan Shah. Sad news.

 Vikram Bhatt@TheVikramBhatt

 Kundan Shah, the man who gave us the unforgettable 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' leaves us. He is gone... He lives on.

Nila Madhab Panda@nilamadhabpanda

'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', you will be alive forever in our memory. My all time favourite director, may your soul rest in peace Kundan Shah

Onir@IamOnir

Sad to hear about Kundan Shah. 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' will always be cherished and he will be remembered with love and respect.

Abhishek Kapoor@Abhishekapoor

We have lost another gem. Kundan Shah showed us that you don't have to have 300 films in your filmography to have made it. One 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' is equal to 500.

Varun Dhawan@Varun_dvn

Rip kundan shah. A master film maker #JaaneBhiDoYaaron #KabhiHaanKabhiNaa. Thank you for inspiring us.

Farhan Akhtar@FarOutAkhtar

Saddened to learn that Kundan Shah is no more. Will never forget his genuineness, his cinematic knowledge & his unique sense of humour. RIP

Aditi Rao Hydari@aditiraohydari

Films that are watched on loop.#JaaneBhiDoYaaro #KabhiHaanKabhiNa...
You will inspire us forever sir... May you rest in peace #KundanShah

Boman Irani@bomanirani

A doyen of the Indian Film industry passes away! Leaving behind memories that will stay with us forever....

Will miss you, #KundanShah!

Subhash Ghai@SubhashGhai1
Good bye #kundan shah. We all @FTIIOfficial @Whistling_Woods shall remember u for your great films with us n in history indian cinema.

Farah Khan@TheFarahKhan

Saddened 2 hear my favourite director Kundan Shah is no more.. i learnt a lot frm him whilst filming kabbhihaankabhina..quiet genius he was

Sudhir Mishra@IAmSudhirMishra

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

Riteish Deshmukh@Riteishd
Rip Kundan Shah.... A master storyteller no more. Condolences to the family and loved ones.

Ashoke Pandit@ashokepandit

Sad to know about the demise of one of our finest directors #KundanShah. Will miss you Sir! #JaaneBhiDoYaaron

Rakesh Sharma@rakeshfilm

#JaaneBhiDoYaaron isn’t just a cult classic, but a vignette of the times we could freely laugh at our scriptures & politicians! An India that’s now under threat, where writers/thinkers are killed merely for expressing ideas

Anupam Kher@AnupamPkher

With cult film #JaaneBhiDoYaaro #KundanShah proved that humour can be d best & most effective way to highlight corruption in the system.

Meenakshi Dixit@Meenaxidixit

Just got this call from his residence it's devastating to hear this! #KundanShah the legendary filmmaker is no more with us. #RIPKundanShah

TheRichaChadha@RichaChadha

When #KundanShah had met me for a film, enthusiastically gave me copies of a docu called #Zeitgeist and a book. Ever so eager to share...

TheRichaChadha@RichaChadha

#RIPKundanShah sir your films made the world more bearable... 

Rasika Dugal@RasikaDugal

RIP Kundan Shah. Your films and your generosity will remain with me forever. Till we meet again.

Rest in peace, Kundan Shah! You will be missed!