Happy Birthday Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra!

Today BollyCurry changes pace and instead of an actor, celebrates the birthday of a writer and director.


Today BollyCurry changes pace and instead of an actor, celebrates the birthday of a writer and director. So welcome to the birthday celebration of a renowned writer cum director, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra!

Born on 7th July 1963, Mehra lived in New Delhi for much of his young life. He was a strong swimmer and was also a part of the selection camp to participate in the 1982 Asian Games, however he failed to make it to the final round. Mehra is happily married to P. S. Bharathi and they are blessed with two children, a daughter and son.

Mehra began his career as a vacuum cleaner and salesman while establishing Flicks Motion Pictures Company Private Limited in 1986, which started his career as an advertisement film maker. He has directed many TV commercials and music videos. In 2001, he finally made the transition from an ad-film maker to a Bollywood director, when he directed and wrote Aks, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Raveena Tandon. The movie did not perform too well at the box office although it received critical acclaim. Mehra then went on to direct, produce, and write one of 2006's biggest blockbusters, Rang De Basanti, starring Aamir Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, and R. Madhavan, among others. The film not only did well at the box office, it was also a critical acclaim and won many awards at various ceremonies for it's keen approach to Indian politics. Mehra won the Best Director Awards at the 2006 Filmfare Awards and National Film Awards. Later in the year, Rang De Basanti was sent to the Oscars and despite not winning, the nomination itself caused a worldwide stir. Mehra then continued his successful career with Delhi-6 followed by Teen Thay Bhai, both of which did not do well critically or commercially. 

In 2013, Mehra bounced back into the spotlight with the biggest hit of the year Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. A movie which he wrote, produced, and directed. Starring Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh, the film went on to become one of the top 10 movies of 2013, doing extremely well in all aspects. It picked up very many awards including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment, and the Best Director Award for Mehra at the 2014 Star Guild Awards, the 2014 Filmfare Awards, the 2014 Zee Cine Awards, and the 15th IIFA Awards.

Mehra is currently writing, directing, and producing a contemporary version of Mirza and Sahiba's love story, which expected to release later this year. He is also working on an adventure thriller tentatively titled Raja expected to release in 2015.

On his birthday, here is a small playlist of some top songs from Mehra's movies:

  1. "Yeh Raat" - Aks
  2. "Paathshala" - Rang De Basanti
  3. "Luka Chuppi" - Rang De Basanti
  4. "Tu Bin Baateyein" - Rang De Basanti
  5. "Masakali" - Delhi-6
  6. "Genda Phool" - Delhi-6
  7. "Zinda" - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
  8. "Maston Ka Jhund" - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Let's have three cheers for this great director cum writer on his big day. Here's wishing Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra very Happy Birthday along with success for all his future films! May he continue to face success for every project of his!

Writer: Shreya S.
Editors: Alina S. and Sonia R.
Graphics: Virina R.

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Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Thumbnail

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Delhi-6 poster

Delhi-6

Rang De Basanti poster

Rang De Basanti

Aks poster

Aks

Teen Thay Bhai poster

Teen Thay Bhai

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag poster

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

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