Ashok Thakeria is an Indian film producer and director who has been a part of the Indian film industry for over three decades. After starting out as an assistant to acclaimed filmmaker BR Chopra, Thakeria went on to produce several hit movies under the banner of ‘Pooja Films’. He is best known for his collaborations with actor Govinda, producing films like ‘Raja Babu’, ‘Coolie No. 1’ and ‘Hero No. 1’. Thakeria has also directed two films ‘Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki’ and ‘Kudrat Ka Kanoon’ which were both released in 1984.
#1 Early Life and Education
Ashok Thakeria is an Indian film producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is best known for his work on blockbuster films. Born in Mumbai, India, Thakeria was raised in a middle-class family and graduated from the University of Mumbai with a degree in commerce. After college, he began his career in the film industry working as an assistant director. After several years of hard work, he established his own production company, Thakeria Films, in the early 1990s. Under this banner, he produced some of the most iconic Indian films of all time, such as Ishq and Hera Pheri. He was also the executive producer of several other successful films such as Hulchul and Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Apart from his work in the film industry, Thakeria is also an avid philanthropist who has contributed to various charities and social causes. He also serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations.
#2 Career Beginnings
Ashok Thakeria began his career in the film industry in the early 1970s as a producer. He first worked with renowned director Prakash Mehra on the 1975 film ‘Zanjeer’, which made him a household name. After that, he produced a number of successful films, including ‘Kabhi Kabhie’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’, ‘Namak Halal’, and ‘Kaala Patthar’. He then went on to co-produce ‘Sholay’, one of India’s most successful and iconic films. After this, he produced a number of other films, including ‘Parinda’, ‘Henna’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’, and ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’. He was also the executive producer of the 1994 film ‘Barsaat’. Thakeria’s production company, ‘Mangal Murti Films’, is credited with producing some of the best films of the 1980s and 1990s. Thakeria is also the founder of the ‘Ashok Thakeria Film Academy’, an institute that provides training in filmmaking and other aspects of the film industry.
#3 Breakthrough and Success
Ashok Thakeria is one of the most successful film producers in Indian cinema, having had a major role in the resurgence of Hindi cinema in the 1980s. His breakthrough came with the 1983 hit, ‘Himmatwala’, which was the highest-grossing movie of the year and marked the start of a long and successful career. Thakeria’s production house, ‘T-Series’, went on to produce some of the biggest movies of the decade, such as ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ and ‘Ram Lakhan’. He has also produced and directed some of the most iconic films of the industry, including ‘Raja Hindustani’ and ‘Ishq’. Thakeria has been credited with introducing some of the biggest stars in the industry, such as Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar. His movies have often had a social message, and his last release, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, was a huge success, winning multiple awards and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2017. Thakeria’s contribution to the industry has been immense, and he has cemented his place as one of the most successful film producers of all time.
#4 Major Works
Ashok Thakeria was one of the most influential filmmakers in the Indian film industry. His works have left a lasting impression on Indian cinema, and his movies have become a part of modern-day pop culture. Here are some of his major works that have made him one of the most respected filmmakers in India.
The 1986 movie “Naam” was Ashok Thakeria’s first major work that gained immense popularity. The movie starred Amitabh Bachchan and Nutan in the lead roles, and the film was a commercial success. It was a story about the struggles of a poor family in Mumbai and the theme of the movie resonated with Indian audiences.
“Dil” was Ashok Thakeria’s second major work that was released in 1990. The movie was a romantic drama that starred Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles. The movie was a blockbuster and was praised for its excellent direction and beautiful music.
The 1996 movie “Raja” was another major work of Ashok Thakeria. The movie was a romantic drama that starred Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Kapoor, and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles. The movie was a commercial success and was appreciated for its excellent direction and strong performances.
The 1999 movie “Hera Pheri” was another major work of Ashok Thakeria. The movie was a comedy that starred Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Sunil Shetty. The movie was a huge hit and has become a cult classic. It was praised for its excellent comic timing and strong performances.
These are some of the major works of Ashok Thakeria that have cemented his place as one of the most respected filmmakers in India. His movies have been praised for their excellent direction, strong performances, and beautiful music. Ashok Thakeria’s movies have become a part of modern-day pop culture and are still remembered by Indian audiences.
#5 Awards and Accolades
Ashok Thakeria has been critically acclaimed for his works in the Indian film industry, garnering numerous awards and accolades along the way. He has received numerous awards for Best Director, Best Story, and Best Dialogue, and his films have won several National Awards. He has also been presented with several honorary awards from the Indian government, including the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Shri, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In addition to these, Thakeria has also received several international awards, including the Canadian Indian International Film Festival Award, the Cairo International Film Festival Award, and the Melbourne International Film Festival Award. These awards and accolades are a testament to his immense contribution to the Indian film industry.
#6 Legacy and Personal Life
Ashok Thakeria is a successful entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry. He is also the founder of the production company, Pooja Films. Thakeria was born in a small village in Maharashtra in 1947. He was always passionate about the film industry and after completing his studies, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in the film industry. He started his career as an assistant director and worked on several films before launching his own production house, Pooja Films, in the early 1970s. The company went on to produce some of the most successful films in the history of Indian cinema, such as ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’, and ‘Karan Arjun’.
Thakeria was also an active philanthropist and was involved in several charitable initiatives. He was a strong advocate of equality and was instrumental in launching several campaigns to promote education and health among the underprivileged. He also supported several social causes such as women’s rights and development of rural areas. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003 for his contribution to the Indian film industry.
Thakeria was married to his wife, Poonam, and together they had two sons, Prashant and Rajiv. He passed away in 2014 following a brief illness. His legacy lives on in the form of the successful production house he founded, Pooja Films, and in the numerous films and social campaigns he was associated with.
FAQs About the Ashok Thakeria Biography
1. What is Ashok Thakeria’s most notable contribution to the film industry?
Answer: Ashok Thakeria is a prominent Indian producer and director who is best known for his production of the classic Bollywood film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, in 1992.
2. Who are some of the actors that Ashok Thakeria has worked with?
Answer: Ashok Thakeria has worked with a variety of actors, including Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, and Govinda.
3. What other films has Ashok Thakeria produced or directed?
Answer: Ashok Thakeria has produced and directed a number of other films, including Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001).
Conclusion
Ashok Thakeria was an Indian film producer and director who is best known for his work in the Hindi film industry. He produced and directed some of the most iconic films of the 1980s and 1990s including Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Dil, Chachi 420 and Ishq. His films were loved by audiences and critics alike and he is credited with bringing a sense of realism to his work. He was a pioneer in the Hindi film industry and his contribution to the industry will be remembered for generations to come.
