Kundan Shah passes away at 69, leaves behind a legacy

New Delhi: The veteran filmmaker Kundan Shah breathed his last on October 7, 2017, early morning. The 69-year-old director reportedly suffered a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai.

The filmmaker studied at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and went on to make an impressive debut with classic satire in 1983 film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.

He even wrote and directed several television shows. He was one of the directors for sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. In 1985–1986 he directed the popular TV show Nukkad along with Saeed Akhtar Mirza. Then in 1987, he directed a comedy serial named Manoranjan.

In 1988, he started directing sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya, based on cartoonist, RK Laxman's character, the common man, starring Anjan Srivastav. Shah Rukh Khan and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi starrer Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa was directed by Shah, who also wrote the screenplay for it. Shah even bagged the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie in 1994, making him the first filmmaker to win this award.

Then came Preity Zinta starrer Kya Kehna. Shah's directorial venture was highly acclaimed despite its delayed release in 2000. Then he went on to helm other projects such as Hum To Mohabbat Karega (2000), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002) and Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2004). His last work being P Se PM Tak.

He won the National Film Award—Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.