Filmmaker Mani Kaul passes away; Bollywood pays tribute

Noted filmmaker Mani Kaul, who was considered one of the pioneers of new Indian cinema, died here today after prolonged illness. Kaul, 66, is survived by two sons and two daughters. The filmmaker breathed his last at 1am at his home today, after he was discharged from a hospital last night.

Kaul was born to a Kashmiri family in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and was ranked among the film makers who contributed to the new Indian cinema. His uncle was a well-known actor-director Mahesh Kaul. Kaul began his career with Uski Roti in 1969 which won him a Filmfare Critics Award for best movie. His other films like Ashad Ka Ek Din, Duvidha and Idiot also got awards.

A graduate from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Kaul got National Film Award for Best documentary film Siddheshwari in 1989. On the loss of this huge personality, Dileep Padgaonkar, Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir said "he had a luminous mind. He shed light on making innovative films. Mani will be remembered as one of the pioneers, along with Kumar Shahni, of a parallel cinema movement in India. He was also a great teacher of Indian cinema and an accomplished Drupad singer." (DNA)

Mani Kaul's death has left a big gap in the film industry which is very difficult to fill. Several Bollywood personalities expressed their grief over the death of Kaul. "Mani Kaul was one of the pioneer of new wave cinema in India. And a great conversationalist. Will miss his persona. RIP," Veteran actor Anupam Kher wrote said on his micro-blogging site twitter.

Filmmaker Shekar Kapur said, "The passing away of friends reminds you of the value of this moment. RIP Mani Kaul. Friend. Director. A life passionately dedicated to exploring the outer edges of the art of film. Will b missed." Recollecting his meeting with Kaul, Filmmaker Onir tweeted, "Remember meeting Mani Kaul last to show him 'I AM' at Anurag's office and he told me warmly that he was happy to see a few of us making diff films. Remember the first time he called me I was in Berlin. I was so excited n nervous that I couldn't talk."
"RIP Mani Kaul. A little known fact - Amol Palekar directed, Shahrukh Khan starrer PAHELI was a remake of Mani Kaul's 1973 film DUVIDHA," Director Shirish Kunder said. Veteran Shabana Azmi was so surprised on the news that she tweeted, "oh no. How? When? Is there a condolence meeting?" Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and actor Ranvir Shorey, said, "Mani Kaul – RIP."

We at Oneindia pay out Tribute to this noted filmmaker.