Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi

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Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi
Born(1912-01-24)January 24, 1912
DiedJuly 13, 2000(2000-07-13) (aged 88)
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Film producer, Businessperson
Years active1962–1992
Known forProducing the first black-and-white Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1962
Notable workGanga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya, Rootha Na Karo, Ganga Dham, Geet Ganga, Sasural, Tulsi, Ghar Jamai
SpouseSwarnmani Devi

Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi, (also spelled as Vishwanath Prasad Shahabadi), also known as B.P. Shahabadi, was an Indian film producer and businessperson known for producing Bhojpuri and Hindi films. He is known as the father of Bhojpuri cinema.[1] He gained prominence by producing the first black-and-white Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1962.[2][3] Shahabadi's notable works include Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya (Bhojpuri) and Hindi films like Rootha Na Karo, Ganga Dham, Geet Ganga, Sasural and Tulsi and Ghar Jamai. He passed away on July 13, 2000.[4]

Biography[edit]

He was born on 24 January 1912, in Bandhuchhapra village in Arrah, Bihar. Shahabadi owned mica and coal mines, along with a liquor contract business. Shahabadi owned movie theaters in Dhanbad and Giridih. In 1938, he contributed to the freedom cause by purchasing six yards of khadi from Rajendra Prasad in a special auction for Rs 15,000.[5]

In the 1960s, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, asked Bishwanath to make a Bhojpuri film. He produced the film Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (Mother Ganges, I will Offer You a Yellow Sari) in 1963, marking the first Bhojpuri language film, which was well received. The film was produced by Shahabadi under Nirmal Pictures and directed by Kundan Kumar.[6][7]

He wrote the story for the 1980 film Ganga Dham, which did well at the box office. He worked on Geet Ganga Ke,which turned out to be a flop at box office. In 1983, he produced Hamaar Bhauji, which was a big hit. It was inspired by a famous South Indian film called "Bhabhi" (1957) by AVM Productions and did well at the box office.[8]

Filmography[edit]

Year Film
1992 Ghar Jamai
1989 Ustaad
1985 Tulsi
1984 Sasural
1982 Geet Ganga
1979 Ganga Dham
1970 Rootha Na Karo
1965 Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya
1962 Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo

Personal life[edit]

He was the youngest among the five children of father Uttamchand Shah. Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi was married to Swarnmani Devi. He died at the age of 89 on July 13, 2000.[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dr. Manish Rannjan (IAS) (21 July 2023). Bihar General Knowledge 2024. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 136. ISBN 9789354884900.
  2. ^ "भोजपुरी सिनेमा की गंगा कब तक रहेगी मैली?" (in Hindi). Navbharat Times. November 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "Society and Culture". bhojpur.nic.in. National Informatics Centre.
  4. ^ Ranjan, Manish (2021). Bihar Samanya Gyan. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9789386300850.
  5. ^ Ghosh, Avijit (2010). "CINEMA BHOJPURI". Penguin Books. ISBN 978-81-8475-256-4.
  6. ^ "Dr. Rajendra Prasad wanted a Bhojpuri movie". The Times of India. April 22, 2013.
  7. ^ Sultan, Parvez (January 25, 2017). "A month ahead of MCD polls, Delhi to host the first ever Bhojpuri film festival". Hindustan Times.
  8. ^ Ghose, Avijit (22 May 2010). CINEMA BHOJPURI. Penguin Publisher. ISBN 978-81-8475-256-4.
  9. ^ Patel, Raviraj (2021). Bhojpuri Filmon Ka Safanama: The Journey of Bhojpuri Cinema. Prabhat Prakashan. pp. 54, 55. ISBN 9789351862031.