Neeraj Pandey
| Neeraj Pandey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1973 (age 42–43)
|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Film Director, writer, producer |
Neeraj Pandey (born 1973) is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter best known for his film A Wednesday (2008), for which he won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director.[1][2] His work on the film was highly praised by audiences as well as critics.[3] He was nominated in the "Best Director" category at the Filmfare Awards. His second film Special 26 (2013) was equally appreciated by the public and the critics. His third film Baby (2015) starring Akshay Kumar, also received critical acclaim and was a financial success.. His next film as a producer 'Rustom' based on a murder mystery received mixed to negative reviews by critics but was a commercial success. A biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story is his latest movie which has also been well received by the audience. Neeraj Pandey has carved a niche for himself in the film industry with his adept handling of different topics and is one of the most sought after Director of his generation.
Early life and education
Pandey was born and brought up in Howrah, West Bengal.[4] His father, who originally came from Ara, Bihar and worked for Bosch in Calcutta.[5] Pandey moved to New Delhi, where he graduated in English from Sri Aurobindo college(University of Delhi) .
Career
Pandey started his career working with Delhi-based 'Legacy Entertainment', a company started by the Dalmia group to make television programs where he learnt his film basics.
In 2000, he moved to Mumbai, where a friend got a grant to produce a documentary, and offered him the project.[6] Soon he was making documentaries and ad films. Thereafter, he formed a production company, 'Quarter Inch Productions', along with a colleague Shital Bhatia, which made to make television programmes, ad films and documentaries. After which they formed, Friday Filmworks, which was the original producer of his debut film, A Wednesday. Film's script was inspired by the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings, and a lot of information in the film, was taken from the incidents that followed the bombings.[7]
He also produced The Royal Bengal Tiger and Saat Uchakkey. His upcoming movies include Toilet:Ek Prem Katha and Naam Shabana.
He has also done a Bengali feature film, The Royal Bengal Tiger, starring Jeet. His another production venture, Saat Ucchakey, starring Manoj Bajpayee, K.K. Menon, Anu Kapoor and Aditi Sharma shall also release next year.
Pandey has also written his debut novel titled Ghalib Danger. It was launched on 6 December 2013.
Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment announced a joint venture with Pandey and Friday Filmworks for production of films. Akshay Kumar starrer Rustom will be the first film under the banner, Plan C Studios. Plan C Studios will be an equal partnership joint venture between the two.
Awards
- National Film Award
- Star Screen Award
- 2009
- Best Film: A Wednesday!
- Best Story: A Wednesday!
- 2009
- IIFA Awards
- 2009
- Best Story: A Wednesday!
- IIFA Award for Best Dialogue: A Wednesday!
- 2009
Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Screenplay | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | A Wednesday! | Yes | Yes | |
| 2013 | Special 26 | Yes | Yes | |
| 2014 | The Royal Bengal Tiger | Yes | Yes | |
| 2014 | Total Siyapaa | Yes | Yes | |
| 2015 | Baby | Yes | Yes | |
| 2016 | Rustom[8] | Yes | ||
| 2016 | M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017 | Crack | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017 | Toilet: Ek Prem Katha | Yes | ||
| 2017 | Naam Shabana | Yes |
Bibliography
References
- ↑ "56th National Film Awards for 2008" (pdf). Directorate of Film Festivals. 23 January 2010. p. 1. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ↑ "National Awards: Antaheen best film, Priyanka Chopra best actress". Indian Express. 24 January 2010.
- ↑ "A Wednesday" Nikhat Kazmi, The Times of India, 5 September 2008.
- ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-03/news-interviews/36704408_1_neeraj-pandey-direct-train-mumbai
- ↑ "'I grew up on Bengali films'". The Telegraph. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ↑ "'My worst phase is over'". DNA. 27 August 2008.
- ↑ "Neeraj Pandey taking it easy after A Wednesday". Hindustan Times. 25 September 2008.
- ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-birthday-boy-akshay-kumar-and-neeraj-pandey-to-make-a-romantic-thriller-2123294
External links
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