Mehboob Khan made Mother India, India’s first film nominated for an Oscar. He also built a film studio that still works today. This lesson follows his path from a Bombay extra to a director of the golden age.
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How did Mehboob Khan start?
Mehboob Khan was born Ramzan Khan on 9 September 1907, in what is now Gujarat. He had no formal education. He came from a modest family and worked his way up.
How did he enter films?
He reached Bombay in 1927. He found work as an extra at the Imperial Film Company. For years he played small parts, and no one took notice.
When did he become a director?
His first film as director was Al Hilal, in 1935. The film was a swashbuckling historical. After that he moved fast into bigger productions.
Sources: Indian Express, India’s DeMille; Cinemaazi, From Poverty to Screen Fame.
Which films made his name?
Aurat came in 1940. It did not succeed at the box office.
What was the Andaz–Aan–Amar run?
Dilip Kumar worked with him in Andaz, Aan and Amar. Andaz came out in 1949. The composer Naushad was his close friend and often wrote the music for his films.
What did he do with Aurat?
He remade Aurat as Mother India in 1957. Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar starred in it. The remake was a huge hit. It was his 19th film, in a career of about 30 years.
Sources: Indian Express, India’s DeMille; Indian Express, Bollywood Rewind: Mother India.
What happened at the Oscars?
India sent Mother India to the Academy Awards in 1958. It was the country’s first Oscar nominee. It competed in the foreign-language film category.
Who won that year?
The Italian film Nights of Cabiria won. Mother India lost.
Is it right to say Mother India won an Oscar?
No. A nomination is not a win. Mother India was nominated but did not win.
Sources: Indian Express, India’s Oscar entries; Indian Express, India’s DeMille.
What honours did it win?
At the Filmfare Awards, Mother India won Best Film. Mehboob Khan won Best Director. Nargis won Best Actress.
Did it win a National Award?
The National Film Awards of 1957 gave Mother India an All India Certificate of Merit.
What is the memory hook?
Filmfare gave three wins. The National Awards gave a certificate.
Sources: Times of India, Filmfare winners 1958; Times of India, National Award winners 1957.
What did he build?
In 1942 he set up his own company, Mehboob Productions. He went on to make Najma, Taqdeer, Humayun and Andaz under that banner.
What is Mehboob Studio?
He built Mehboob Studio in Bandra, Mumbai. It was completed in 1954, while he was making Amar. His sons now run it. It still stands on Hill Road.
When did he die?
Mehboob Khan died on 28 May 1964, aged 56.
Sources: Times of India, 50th death anniversary; Mint, Mother India’s floors.
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