indian cinema heritage foundation

N C Sippy

Producer
  • Born: 22 August 1926
  • Died: 25 November 2001 (Mumbai)
  • Primary Cinema: Hindi
  • Children: Raj N Sippy , Romu N Sippy , Mohini N Sippy
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N.C. Sippy carved out a place in Hindi cinema with his family melodramas and in the process delivered some of the most memorable films of the 60’s and 70’s. Beginning as an executive producer in Aas (1953), he soon went on to make films with the likes of Bharat Bhooshan in Sawan (1959) and Raj Kapoor in Diwana (1967). In 1968 he and Mehmood remade the Bengali film Pasher Bari (1952) into one of the biggest successes of all time in Padosan. Padosan remains an all-time classic, with its songs still popular among most. That year also marked the beginning of his association with Hrishikesh Mukherjee with Ashirwaad (1968). Together they would make films that defined popular Hindi cinema in the 70’s. The decade that followed was studded with their memorable collaborations – Jaya Bhaduri’s star-making film Guddi (1971), the Rajesh Khanna tearjerker Anand (1971), the rollicking Bombay To Goa (1972), the delightful comedies Bawarchi (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979) and Khubsoorat (1980). He also produced Gulzar’s directorial debut Mere Apne (1971). The kind of films he produced helped create the genre of middle class cinema, which existed as an alternative to the dominant angry young man films of Amitabh Bachchan in the 70’s.
N.C. Sippy passed away on 25 November, 2001 in Mumbai. He was succeeded in the film industry by his two sons Romu and Raj Sippy, who both went on to become successful producers in their own right. The films he produced live on as evergreen classics in the annals of Indian cinema history.