Remembering Prakash Mehra, one of the most prolific filmmakers of bollywood, on his 79th birth anniversary.

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Born in Bijnore, Uttar Pradesh, on July 13, 1939, Prakash Mehra began his career as a production controller. He dabbled in multiple jobs in the industry, including as a songwriter, before turning to film direction. He ventured into filmmaking in 1968 with the Shashi Kapoor starrer Haseena Maan Jayegi. However, Mehra's first success came in 1971 with Mela. The movie brought together the Khan brothers -- Feroz Khan and Sanjay Khan -- for the first time on silver screen. His next was Samadhi (1972) with Dharmendra. Over the next two decades, he would churn out blockbusters like Zanjeer, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Laawaris (1981), Namak Halaal (1982) and Sharaabi (1984).
Prakash Mehra with some of the cast and crew including actors Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri and Ajit, at the muhurat of Zanjeer

 He struck gold at the box office with the 1973 action flick Zanjeer, with Bachchan in the main lead. The success of the film made Mehra a name to reckon with as a director and launched the career of Amitabh Bachchan, and the trope of 'Angry Young Man' in Indian cinema.

 The Mehra-Bachchan duo gave the industry seven movies of which six were mega-hits.The Director-actor duo hits include Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharabi and Hera Pheri apart from Zanjeer. Their last movie together was Jadugar in 1989, which was a flop.
Prakash Mehra with Bappi Lahiri, Kishore Kumar and lyricist Anjaan
Mehra was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006 for his commendable contribution to the industry as a Director.

 Two years later, in 2008, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award from the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association for his role as a Producer.
Amitabh Bachchan with Prakash Mehra & Vinod Khanna during the shoot of "Oh Sathi Re" from MKS
Prakash Mehra died on May 17, 2009 in Mumbai after prolonged illness leaving a treasure trove of some most entertaining films.

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