Pankaj Parashar

Biography

Pankaj Parashar is a distinguished Indian film and television director, celebrated for his innovative contributions to Indian cinema and television. Born in India, Parashar pursued a Diploma in Film Direction and Screenplay Writing from the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, after completing his Bachelor of Commerce from Jai Hind College, Mumbai.

Career

Parashar's directorial journey commenced with the Hindi comedy "Ab Ayega Mazaa" in 1984. He gained prominence with the television series "Karamchand" (1985), starring Pankaj Kapur as the quirky detective Karamchand and Sushmita Mukherjee as his assistant Kitty. This series, recognized as one of India's pioneering detective shows, showcased Parashar's flair for blending humor with suspense.

In 1987, Parashar directed "Jalwa," a cop-thriller featuring Naseeruddin Shah. The film was notable for introducing computer animation in its titles, marking a technological advancement in Indian cinema at the time. He continued his success with "ChaalBaaz" (1989), a remake of "Seeta Aur Geeta," where Sridevi's dual performance earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

Throughout his career, Parashar has directed several notable films, including:

"Peechha Karo" (1986)

"Rajkumar" (1996)

"Himalayputra" (1997)

"Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge" (2002)

"Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin" (2004)

"Banaras" (2006)

Parashar's versatility extends to television commercials, having produced and directed over 400 ads for prominent brands like Colgate, Coca-Cola, and Suzuki. His expertise also encompasses corporate films and documentaries, with his documentary "Malfunction" winning the Filmfare Award for Best Documentary in 1980.