Biography

Harnam Singh Rawail (b. 1921) Hindi-Urdu director born in Lyallpur (now Pakistan). Went to Bombay in his teens to join films. Slept on the streets and in the Madhav Baug temple precincts. These experiences were later retold in quasi-autobiographical Pocketmaar. Left for Calcutta where he became assistant to Kidar Sharma. His first script is Banke Sipahi (1937), a version of The Three Musketeers. Wrote several scripts, usually in stunt genre, at Indrapuri Studios where he also received his first break as director. Turned producer in Calcutta (1948), then returned to Bombay (1949) and later established Roshni Pics (1955) and Rahul Theatres (1960). Made comedies (best known is Kishore Kumar’s slapstick Shararat) and love stories. Sangharsh was based on major Bengali novelist Mahashweta Devi’s Laila Aasmaner Aaina. After Mere Mehboob, made period romances and love legends. Last film Deedar-e-Yaar, written by his son Rahul Rawail, was one of the biggest financial disasters of 80s Hindi film. Since then has produced films for his son.