Veteran filmmaker Shankerbhai Bhatt dead

Veteran filmmaker Shankerbhai Bhatt, who made memorable movies like 'Baiju Bawra', 'Hariyali Aur Raasta' and 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai', died at his residence in Versova, Mumbai, on Friday, family sources said. He was 99.

The filmmaker, who was involved in movie production since the silent era, was bedridden for the past six months, the sources said.

Son of a railway guard, Shankerbhai was born in Palitana village in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. He came to Mumbai and began his stint in the world of art by penning Gujarati plays in the late twenties.

Along with his brother he formed the Royal Film Company and later in 1934 established his own firm, Prakash Pictures.

The prominent movies produced by him in silent era included 'Pournima', 'Narsi Bhagat', 'Bharat-Milap' and 'Ram Rajya'.

The other well-known films produced by him were 'Himalaya Ki God Mein' and 'Holi Aayi Re'.

In all Prakash Pictures produced 64 movies.