Veteran Bollywood director Esmayeel Shroff, known for films like Bulundi (1981), Ahista Ahista (1981), Love 86 (1986), Suryaa (1989), Nishchaiy (1992), Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum (2004) and others, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 62.
According to reports, Esmayeel Shroff was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai where he breathed his last. He'd suffered a heart attack around a month ago and was seeking treatment at the hospital.
Esmayeel Shroff hailed from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. He made his directorial debut with the Hindi crime thriller Agar... If (1978). His second film, Thodisi Bewafaii (1980), starring Rajesh Khanna, Shabana Azmi and Padmini Kolhapure, was a big hit.
Esmayeel Shroff also directed Govinda in his debut film, Love 86. His other notable works include Pighalta Aasman (1986) starring Shashi Kapoor and Rakhi, the Vinod Khanna-Salman Khan-led Nishchaiy (1992) and the Jackie Shroff-Raaj Kumar action vehicle God and Gun (1995). Raaj Kumar also appeared in Bulundi, Police Public and Suryaa directed by Esmayeel Shroff.
Later in his career, Esmayeel Shroff made Tarkieb (2000), a thriller starring Nana Patekar, Tabu and Shilpa Shetty, and the teen romance Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum (2004), featuring Arya Babbar and Shriya Saran. A number of Esmayeel's films were written by his brother, Moin-Ud-Din.
Mourning Esmayeel Shroff's death, the Indian Film and Television Producers Council tweeted, "Deeply Saddening news Indian film director & writer Esmayeel Shroff Ji passed away,known for his work in the Bollywood industry,his hit film Thodisi Bewafaii. Deepest condolences to the family and loved ones. Om Shanti.#IFTPC #SajidNadiadwala @JDMajethia #NitinVaidya"
Remembering his first director, Govinda told ETimes, "I’m deeply saddened. My career started with his film. Uparwala unko jannat naseeb karaye (may God place his soul in heaven). May his soul rest in peace. Not only did he give me work, but he used to have faith in me, too. He was the first person in my life who said that Govinda understands cinema. He played a big role in making me Govinda from Govind.”