Filmmaker BR Ishara dies of tuberculosis

Mumbai: Filmmaker BR Ishara, who had introduced actress Parveen Babi to Bollywood, died this morning. The Chetna and Ek Nazar fame director was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis and was undergoing treatment at Criticare Hospital in Juhu. He was believed to be in his seventies.

BR Ishara was very crazy about filmmaking and he had fled his home to work in the Bombay film industry in his early life. He is best known for writing and directing films in the 1970s including Hum Do Hamare Do, Zaroorat and Milap. He started a trend of bold themes in Hindi cinema and is also known to be the first director to have started the tradition of shooting in Bungalows.

The director had worked with big stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Reena Roy, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Kiran and Raza Murad. Remembering him, Amitabh tweeted, "The well known writer-director BR Ishara passed away early this morning. Brought in fresh style subject for films. Did Ek Nazar."

Big B added, "BR Ishara - BabuDa, took a departure from conventional style of film making in early 70's - novel and appreciated by all... He directed and made 'Ek Nazar' with Jaya and me before our marriage... some of the most melodious music of LP."

Actor Manoj Bajpayee tweeted, "Unfortunate Mr BR Ishara passed away!may god bless his soul with peace!"