Mumbai, Sep 4: Film director Jagmohan Mundhra passed away this morning here, family sources said. He was 62. Mundhra was in the hospital for the last three days, sources told PTI.
Mundhra was known for issue-oriented films such as ‘Bawandar' which had Nandita Das in leading role, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-starrer ‘Provoked'.
An alumnus of IIT Mumbai, Mundhra went to US to study electrical engineering but switched to marketing studies, and wrote a comparative thesis on marketing practises of Hollywood and Bollywood.
After finishing his PhD he also taught for a year at California State University. His stay in California brought him closer to Hollywood. In 1979 he decided to become a full-time filmmaker.
His last directorial venture was ‘Naughty@40', starring Govinda, and he was about to start shooting ‘Kissa Kutte Ka', a political satire starring Tannishtha Chatterjee, Seema Biswas, Sarika, Raghubir Yadav.
Mundhra had over 30 films to his credit. After his debut film ‘Suraag' (1982), he directed a string of horror and erotic thrillers in Hollywood, including ‘The Jigsaw Murders'(1988), ‘Halloween Night' (1988), ‘Night Eyes' (1990), ‘L.A. Goddess' (1993), ‘Sexual Malice' (1994) and ‘Tales of the Kama Sutra 2: Monsoon' (1998).
Several Bollywood personalities expressed shock and grief over the death of director Jagmohan Mundhra today.
“Jagmohan Mundhra and his wife Chandra selflessly looked after people from Indian films in LA (Los Angeles). Looked after me for months when I first landed. There was never a time when Jag and Chandra's house was not open for guests. I will miss him dearly,” filmmaker Shekhar Kapur wrote on twitter.
Anupam Kher said, “Can't believe that Jagmohan Mundhra passed away this morning. He was a delightful person.”
Playback singer Shreya Ghoshal tweeted, “RIP Jagmohan Mundra. This was too sudden. You were indeed so down to earth, humble and gentle human being. You will be missed.”
“Shocked to hear that Jagmohan Mundra has passed on. Gentleman. RIP,” actress Dia Mirza said.
Veteran actor Kabir Bedi tweeted, “Jagmohan Mundra, friend from my Hollywood years, passes away and I'm deeply sad. Last met at Shammi Kapoor's funeral. RIP.”
“Sad news. Filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra passed away this morning. Heartfelt condolences to his family,” said actress Shabana Azmi.
“A prayer for the departed and strength to his family,” filmmaker Vikram Bhatt said.
“RIP Jag Mundhra. Jag soona soona laage,” director Shirish Kunder tweeted.
“Sad to hear about Jagmohan Mundhra,” actor Sanjay Suri said. PTI
