Prakash Jha

{{Short description|Indian film director and producer (born 1952)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Prakash Jha

| image = Carnival Cinemas host press conference of Jai Gangaajal in Ranchi Manav Kaul, Prakash Jha (cropped).jpg

| image_upright = 1

| imagesize =

| caption = Jha in 2016

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|2|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Bettiah, Bihar, India

| othername =

| occupation = {{hlist|Film producer|director|screenwriter|actor}}

| yearsactive = 1982⁠–⁠present

| spouse = {{marriage|Deepti Naval|1985|2002|reason=div.}}

| children = Disha Jha (daughter)

| father = Tej Nath Jha

| mother =

| website = {{url|prakashjhaproductions.com}}

}}

Prakash Jha (born 27 February 1952) is an Indian film producer, actor, director and screenwriter, mostly known for his political and socio-political films such as Hip Hip Hurray (1984), Damul (1984), Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005), and his multi-starrer films, Raajneeti (2010), Aarakshan (2011), Chakravyuh (2012), and Satyagraha (2013). He is also the maker of National Film Award winning documentaries like Faces After The Storm (1984) and Sonal (2002).

He runs a production company, Prakash Jha Productions.{{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111419/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/|url-status=dead}} He also owns the P&M Mall in Patna and the P&M Hi-Tech City Centre Mall in Jamshedpur.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170803/jsp/jharkhand/story_165206.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083412/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170803/jsp/jharkhand/story_165206.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2018|title=Shopaholics, the big brands are coming|last=Bose|first=Antara|work=The Telegraph|date=3 August 2017|access-date=11 February 2018}}

Biography

=Early life and education=

Prakash Jha was raised at his family's farm in Barharwa, Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar, India. His father's name is Shri Tej Nath Jha. He did his schooling from Sainik School Tilaya,{{cite web|url=http://sainikschoolsociety.org/outstandingalumini.html|title=Sainik Schools Society|website=Sainikschoolsociety.org|access-date=1 April 2015}} Koderma district and Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. Later, he joined Ramjas College, Delhi University to do BSc (Hons) in Physics, though he left his studies after one year,{{cite web|url=http://passionforcinema.com/prakash-jha-hrishikesh-mukharjee-cried-after-watching-my-film/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905040319/http://passionforcinema.com/prakash-jha-hrishikesh-mukharjee-cried-after-watching-my-film/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2008|title=Prakash Jha : Hrishikesh Mukharjee cried after watching my film - PassionForCinema|date=5 September 2008|access-date=19 April 2018}} and decided to go to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) and become a painter. While he was preparing for J.J. School of Arts, he happened to witness the shooting of the film Dharma and got hooked on filmmaking. He graduated from KC College, Mumbai{{Cite web|last=Bollypedia|title=Prakash Jha {{!}} Biography, Filmography, Gallery, Awards, Videos {{!}} Bollypedia|url=http://www.bollypedia.in/celebrity/Prakash-Jha/2799|access-date=2022-02-16|website=bollypedia.in}}{{Cite web |title=Our Prominent Alumni |url=https://kccollege.edu.in/alumni/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216134943/https://kccollege.edu.in/alumni/ |archive-date=2022-02-16 |access-date=2022-02-16 |website=KC College of Arts, Commerce & Science, Mumbai |language=en-US}}

He joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1973, to do a course in editing. Midway through it, the institution was closed for while due to student agitation, so he came to Bombay, started working, and never went back to complete the course.[https://books.google.com/books?id=-OpkAAAAMAAJ&q=Prakash+Jha Prakash Jha] The Cinemas of India, by Yves Thoraval. Macmillan India, 2000. {{ISBN|0-333-93410-5}}, {{ISBN|978-0-333-93410-4}}. Page 191-192.

=Personal life=

Prakash was married to actress Deepti Naval with whom he has an adopted daughter Disha Jha.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/InterviewsCinema/Today-s-actors-have-become-picky-Prakash-Jha/Article1-250089.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126123537/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/InterviewsCinema/Today-s-actors-have-become-picky-Prakash-Jha/Article1-250089.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|title=Today's actors have become picky: Prakash Jha|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/mumbai/deepti-navals-book-launch/Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/10550538.cms|title=Prakash Jha during the launch of Deepti Naval's book 'The Mad Tibetan'|website=Photogallery.indiatimes.com|access-date=1 April 2015}}

Career

File:Katrina Kaif with director Prakash Jha.jpg and Prakash Jha during the promotion of Rajneeti (2010)]]

While still midway through his course, he started working on films independently in 1974.[http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/feb/03jha.htm Interviews] Movies, Rediff.com, 3 February 2003. He made his first documentary, Under the Blue, in 1975, and continued to do so for the next eight years.

During this period he made some highly politically charged documentaries, like that on the Bihar Sharif riot, titled, Faces After Storm (1984). It received considerable attention, as it was banned within 4–5 days of its release, though later it won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.

He made his debut as a feature film director with Hip Hip Hurray in 1984, scripted by Gulzar and starring Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval as leads.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060622223826/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051204/asp/look/story_5541502.asp Filmmaker sees hope in Bihar] Telegraph, 4 December 2005. Next came the film he received most recognition for, Damul (1984), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie in 1985. The film was based on the bonded labour issue in Bihar.

In 1986, he directed Parinati, based on the story by Vijaydan Detha.{{cite web|url=http://passionforcinema.com/prakash-jha-deepti-naval-and-i-never-cherished-any-negativity-between-us/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828073606/http://passionforcinema.com/prakash-jha-deepti-naval-and-i-never-cherished-any-negativity-between-us/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2008|title=Prakash Jha : Deepti Naval and I never cherished any negativity between us » PassionForCinema|date=28 August 2008|access-date=19 April 2018}}

Over the years he has made over 25 documentaries, 13 feature films, two television features and three television series, including the popular TV serial Mungerilal Ke Hasin Sapne. His production company has produced five films with independent directors.{{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111419/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0422552/awards|title=Prakash Jha|website=IMDb|access-date=19 April 2018}}

In 2004, Jha directed the 112-minute film Loknayak, based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan. In the film, Chetan Pandit played the role of Narayan and Tisca Chopra played Prabhavati Devi, the wife of JP.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Uncensored-Loknayak-to-be-screened-soon/articleshow/890542.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140208185955/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-19/patna/27151362_1_film-prakash-jha-prasar-bharati|url-status=live|archive-date=8 February 2014|work=The Times of India|title=Uncensored 'Loknayak' to be screened soon|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/|title=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News ? Exchange4media|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|access-date=19 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/06jp.htm|title=Jayaprakash Narayan deserved better|website=Rediff.com|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=255679|title=Prakash Jha declines to change his film on JP|website=Newsoutlookindia.com|access-date=1 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211620/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=255679|archive-date=22 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/i-am-fully-indebted-to-theatre/article776650.ece|title=I am fully indebted to theatre|work=The Hindu|date=30 May 2010 |access-date=1 April 2015}}

In 2010, Jha directed Raajneeti, a contemporary take on the epic Mahabharata. It starred Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Naseeruddin Shah, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar and Ranbir Kapoor, and was a critical and commercial success. His next venture was Aarakshan, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar.{{cite web |url=http://tinselgurus.net/2010/12/23/finally-the-announcement-for-the-film-aarakshan/ |title=Tinselgurus.net |access-date=23 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724104839/http://tinselgurus.net/2010/12/23/finally-the-announcement-for-the-film-aarakshan/ |archive-date=24 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }} In 2012, Jha's release Chakravyuh starred Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpai, Kabir Bedi and Esha Gupta, and was released in Dussehra 2012.{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-30/bhopal/31260705_1_aarakshan-jha-bhopal/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726093027/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-30/bhopal/31260705_1_aarakshan-jha-bhopal/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2012|work=The Times of India|title=India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/42245/bollywood/arjun-to-enter-chakravyuh-next-week-news-details/|title=Arjun to enter 'Chakravyuh' next week|website=Supergoodmovies.com|access-date=1 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704172427/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/42245/bollywood/arjun-to-enter-chakravyuh-next-week-news-details|archive-date=4 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/|title=Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO, Mutual Funds News|website=The Economic Times|access-date=19 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chakravyuha-has-nothing-to-do-with-ko-jha/226895-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207120050/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chakravyuha-has-nothing-to-do-with-ko-jha/226895-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2012|title='Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha|work=IBNLive|access-date=1 April 2015}} His next film Satyagraha (2013) starred Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/my-chakravyuha-has-nothing-to-do-with-ko-prakash-jha_105230.htm/|title=My 'Chakravyuha' has nothing to do with 'Ko': Prakash Jha|work=Zee News|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite news|title=Prakash Jha accuses Censor board of bizarre cuts in 'Jai Gangaajal'|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/prakash-jha-accuses-censor-board-of-bizarre-cuts-in-jai-gangaajal/|agency=PTI|work=The Indian Express|date=7 January 2016}}

In 2019, he acted in the film Saand Ki Aankh a biographical film directed by Tushar Hiranandani. He played Rattan Singh Tomar, the patriarch of the Tomar family.

Politics

Prakash Jha contested and lost the 14th Lok Sabha election from his native place Bettiah in 2004. He stood 6th and managed to get around 26,000 votes only, while the winner Raghunath Jha got 2,11,590 votes.{{cite web |url=https://resultuniversity.com/election/bettiah-lok-sabha |title=Bettiah Lok Sabha elections |work=Result University |access-date=5 October 2022 }} He also lost the 15th Lok Sabha election to Sanjay Jaiswal in 2009 as Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) candidate from Paschim Champaran.{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/poll2009/2009/mar/240309-After-Nitish-declined-I-needed-a-party-Prakash-Jha1.htm|title=After Nitish declined, I needed a party: Prakash Jha|website=Mid-day.com|access-date=19 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Of-course-Ill-contest-elections-Prakash-Jha/articleshow/4077246.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104104348/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-05/patna/28035481_1_champaran-assembly-polls-bihar-cm-nitish-kumar|url-status=live|archive-date=4 November 2013|work=The Times of India|title=Of course, I'll contest elections: Prakash Jha|access-date=1 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i-will-not-contest-an-election-again.-even-without-being-an-mp-i-do-whatever-i-can/677415/0|title=I will not contest an election again. Even without being an MP, I do whatever I can|website=Indianexpress.com|access-date=1 April 2015}} In the same election Sadhu Yadav stood 3rd as INC candidate.

Jha once again contested in the 16th Lok Sabha election in 2014 as a Janata Dal (United) candidate from Paschim Champaran and lost to Sanjay Jaiswal. In 2014 election affidavit he had mentioned that he has assets worth ₹92.5 crores and liabilities worth ₹55.2 crores.{{cite web |url=https://myneta.info/ls2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=9149 |title=Sri Prakash Jha (JDU), Constituency:Paschim Champaran |work=Myneta.info |access-date=6 October 2022 }}

Social initiatives

=Anubhooti=

Prakash Jha is the chairman of Anubhooti,{{cite web|url=http://anubhootingo.org/|title=Anubhooti : Home|website=anubhootingo.org|access-date=19 April 2018}} a registered society that has been working for cultural development, improvement of health care, disaster management and the upliftment of farmers and socio-economically backward people in Bihar since 1991.

Most recently, the organization has been working for flood survivors. After the Kosi flood on 18 August 2008, Anubhooti has provided complete relief to 6000 people since September 2008. Anubhooti has created a model village, Hindolwa village, for those the flood affected, and is working towards their complete rehabilitation. Anubhooti has provided relief to 5000 people for health care in Supaul district in Bihar.

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
1982	Shree Vats (documentary)	Director	Film on the Pune-based institute Shreevatsa
1983	Faces After The Storm (documentary)	Director	National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Best Documentary of the year International Film Festival of India, Special Jury Award
1984	Hip Hip Hurray	Director	All India Film Awards Association, Best Director
1985	Damul	Director, producer, co-script writer	National Film Award for Best Feature Film Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie
1986	Kudiattam (documentary)	Director	National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film
1988	Looking Back (documentary)	Director	National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary
1989	Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne	Director	Television serial
1989	Parinati	Director, producer	National Film Award for Best Costume Design Presented as an Outstanding Film at the London Film Festival at the London Film Festival
1996	Bandish	Director, producer
1997	Mrityudand ("Death Sentence")	Director, producer, editor, dialogue writer	Screen Cinema Award, Best Actor in a Negative Role Screen Cinema Award, Best Dialogue Screen Cinema Award, Best Screenplay Zee Cine Award, Best Dialogue Zee Cine Award, Best Director Sansui Film Awards, Best Film (Critics Choice) Sansui Film Awards, Best Actress Special Jury Award, Cinema Tout Ecran, Geneva for Best Feature Audience Award, Best Feature, Bangkok Film Festival
1999	Dil Kya Kare	Director, editor, story writer
2001	Rahul	Director
2002	Sonal (Documentary)	Director	National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film
2003	Gangaajal	Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer	National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
2004	Loknayak	Director, producer, editor, story writer, dialogue writer	Based on the life of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan
2005	Apaharan	Director, producer, story writer	National Film Award for Best Screenplay Filmfare Best Dialogue Award Star Screen Best Screenplay Award
rowspan="2" \| 2007	Dil Dosti Etc	Producer
Khoya Khoya Chand	Producer
2010	Raajneeti	Director, producer, dialogue writer	Star Screen Best Screenplay Award
rowspan="3" \| 2011	Turning 30	Producer
Yeh Saali Zindagi	Producer
Aarakshan	Director, producer
2012	Chakravyuh	Director, producer
2013	Satyagraha	Director, producer
2015	Crazy Cukkad Family	producer
2016	Jai Gangaajal	director, actor, producer
2017	Lipstick Under My Burkha	producer
2018	Saare Jahan Se Acha (series)	Anchor	Web Series {{Cite web\|title = Prakash Jha to honour unsung heroes on his web show, Saare Jahan Se Achha!\|url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/prakash-jha-to-honour-unsung-heroes-on-his-web-show-saare-jahan-se-achha/story-p1fxdPtr7w0qJaO0qMYfLO.html\|website = Hindustantimes\|date = 30 January 2018}} Directed by Prakash Bhardwaj (Director){{Cite web\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/prakash-jha-is-identity-of-sare-jahan-se-achha-director-118092100273_1.html\|title=Prakash Jha is identity of 'Sare Jahan Se Achha': Director\|date=21 September 2018\|via=Business Standard}}
rowspan="3" \| 2019	Fraud Saiyaan	producer
Pareeksha – The Final Test \|Director, producer \|Released on ZEE5
Saand Ki Aankh \| Rattan Singh Tomar \| Actor{{Cite web\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-prakash-jha-saand-ki-aankh-5587932/\|title=Prakash Jha joins the cast of Saand Ki Aankh\|date=17 February 2019\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en-IN\|access-date=10 March 2019}}
rowspan="2" \|2020 \|Aashram \|Director, producer \| Web series on MX Player
Matto Ki Saikil \| Matto \| Actor{{Cite web\|url=https://thewire.in/film/m-gani-matto-ki-saikal\|title=On a Bicycle from Mathura to Busan\|website=The Wire}}

=Web series=

Year	Title	Role	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
2023	Rafuchakkar	Pawan Kumar Bawariya's father

Awards

=National Film Awards=

1984: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Faces After The Storm (1984){{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/facesafterstorm.html|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110230029/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/facesafterstorm.html|url-status=dead}}
1985: National Film Award for Best Feature Film: Damul (1985)
1987: National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film: Kudiattam{{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/kudiattam.html|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-date=24 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324130138/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/kudiattam.html|url-status=dead}}
1988: National Film Award for Best Costume Design: Parinati
1988: National Film Award for Best Industrial Documentary: Looking Back
2002: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film: Sonal{{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/sonal.html|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626001547/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/sonal.html|url-status=dead}}
2004: National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues: Gangaajal (2003){{cite web|url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/gangaajal.html|title=Prakash Jha Productions|website=Prakashjhaproductions.com|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523081659/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/gangaajal.html|url-status=dead}}
2006: National Film Award for Best Screenplay: Apaharan (2005)

=Filmfare Awards=

2001: Best Documentary of the Year: Faces After The Storm (1983)
1985: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film: Damul (1985)
2006: Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue: Apaharan (2005)

=Star Screen Awards=

2005: Screen Award for Best Screenplay: Apaharan
2011: Screen Award for Best Screenplay: Raajneeti

=Filmfare OTT Awards=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
Rowspan=2\|2021 \| Best Series – Drama \| rowspan=2\| Aashram \| {{nom}} \|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2\|{{Cite web\|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/nominations\|title=My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations\|date=2 December 2021\|access-date=10 December 2021\|website=FilmFare\|language=en}}
Best Director – Drama, Series \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Category

! Work

! Result

! {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

Rowspan=2|2021

| Best Series – Drama

| rowspan=2| Aashram

| {{nom}}

|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/nominations|title=My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations|date=2 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|website=FilmFare|language=en}}

Best Director – Drama, Series

| {{nom}}

=ITA Awards=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
2021 \| Best Landmark OTT Show \| Aashram \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web\|last=\|first=\|last2=\|first2=\|last3=\|first3=\|title=ITA Awards 2021 full winners list out. Surbhi Chandna and Pratik Gandhi win big\|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/ita-awards-2021-full-winners-list-out-surbhi-chandna-and-pratik-gandhi-win-big-1769533-2021-02-15\|access-date=2021-10-03\|website=India Today\|date=15 February 2021\|language=en}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Category

! Work

! Result

! {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

2021

| Best Landmark OTT Show

| Aashram

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|title=ITA Awards 2021 full winners list out. Surbhi Chandna and Pratik Gandhi win big|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/ita-awards-2021-full-winners-list-out-surbhi-chandna-and-pratik-gandhi-win-big-1769533-2021-02-15|access-date=2021-10-03|website=India Today|date=15 February 2021|language=en}}