indian cinema heritage foundation

Jyoti Swaroop

Director
  • Died: 17 March, 1991 (Bombay)
  • Primary Cinema: Hindi
  • First film: Miya Bibi Razi (1960)
  • Spouse: Khairunnisa
Share
0 views

Writer-director Jyoti Swaroop was active in Hindi films in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Starting his career as assistant director with Talaaq (1958), he debuted as director with Miya Bibi Razi (1960), starring Mehmood, Manorama, and David Abraham. A comedy romance, it had music by S D Burman. Among the films that Swaroop went on to direct are Santan (1959), Bin Badal Barsaat (1963), Padosan (1968), Parwana (1971), Nauker (1979), and Chorni (1982). Bin Badal Barsaat, starring Asha Parekh and Biswajeet, revolved around an old curse cast by a gypsy on a thakur family that results in death. Padosan was a hit musical comedy starring Mehmood as the South Indian musician and rival to Sunil Dutt. Considered as one of the best comedy films made in Hindi cinema, Kishore Kumar's character of a comical theatre director was also well received. The film was a huge success, with popular music composed by R D Burman. Swaroop showed his diversity, directing Parwana, a psychological thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Navin Nischol, and Yogeeta Bali. The film saw Bachchan play his first negative role as an infatuated lover-turned-murderer. Chorni, starring Jeetendra and Neetu Singh with music composed by Shankar Jaikishan, was recorded as a super hit at the box office. His directorial Nauker, starring Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar in lead roles, is best remembered for Bhaduri's performance as the maidservant Geeta, which earned the actress her third Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Santan starred Rajendra Kumar, Rita Ray, and Kamini Kadam

Swaroop made his debut as screenplay writer with the Sanjay Khan, Parveen Babi, and Rakesh Roshan-starrer Trimurti (1974). He went on to pen the screenplay of Trimurti (1974), Inkaar (1977), Tinku (1977), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Sweekar Kiya Maine (1983), Boxer (1984), Haveli (1985), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Yadon Ki Kasam (1985), and Sarphira (1992). Satte Pe Satta was a hit action-comedy film, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, and others. It was adapted from the Hollywood film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). The Swaroop-penned Ram Teri Ganga Maili was a romantic drama directed by Raj Kapoor. Starring Mandakini and Rajiv Kapoor, the film was the year’s highest-grossing film. Boxer was a sports drama starring Mithun Chakraborty, Rati Agnihotri, and Sharat Saxena, and was also a box office hit. 

On the personal front, Jyoti Swaroop was married to Mehmood's sister Khairunnisa (Shanno). Swaroop also converted to Islam and took the name Ismail.

Jyoti Swaroop, also known as Ismail, passed away on 17 March, 1991.