Prem Prakash Modi Explained

Prem Prakash Modi
Birth Date:1968 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Nunihat, Jharkhand, India
Nationality:Indian
Occupation:Film director, Screenwriter, Actor
Years Active:1997 - Present

Prem Prakash Modi (born 17 July 1968) is an Indian filmmaker, writer, producer and actor known for his works in Hindi & Bengali cinema. He made his debut[1] as a director in 2013 with the Bengali feature film Arjun – Kalimpong E Sitaharan[2] starring Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, Om, Manoj Mitra and Churni Ganguly, based on Samaresh Majumdar's novel Khunkharapi and Kalimpong e Sitaharan. His next directorial venture was Panchlait[3] (2017), which was well received by the audiences. He has worked as an Associate for noted directors such as Aparna Sen, Gul Bahar Singh, Anjan Dutt, Anjan Das, Suman Mukhopadhyay.

Early life

Prem Modi, also known as Prem Prakash Modi, was born on 17 July in the village Nonihat, Jharkhand, India. His father, Parmeshwar Lal Modi, worked as a small businessman in the village. There was no television or cinema halls, so Prem would travel 30 kilometers to Dumka to watch movies. This ignited his interest in cinema.

He started performing in local village theater during festivals. For his education, he was sent to live with his elder brother in Jamshedpur, where he attended Beldih Church School. Later, he joined Bhagalpur University to pursue his graduation.

Career

After graduation, Modi moved to Kolkata. His first job was at Howrah Gases Ltd as an accounts assistant. Because he had a strong interest in acting since childhood, he joined a theater group. During the day, he worked at his job, and in the remaining time, he rehearsed with his group. After a few years, he decided to quit his job and pursue a full-time career in theater and films. Soon after, he moved to Mumbai and had the opportunity to be mentored by Gul Bahar Singh, a six-time National Award-winning director and shifted behind the camera. Later, he became an associate and worked with other renowned directors such as Aparna Sen, Anjan Das, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Anjan Dutt, etc.

Prem began his career as a chief assistant director for The Goal,[4] a Children's Film Society (CFSI) production which starred Irrfan Khan and directed by Gul Bahar Singh. The film won the Best Children's Film at 47th National Film Awards, Special International Jury Prize at Cairo International Film Festival and Special Mention at International Federation of Film Societies in the Czech Republic. He then worked with Suman Mukhopadhyay as an associate in Chaturanga and later collaborated with Aparna Sen for the film Iti Mrinalini, which received acclaim nationally and internationally. Prem served as the Indian Creative Adviser and Coordinator for the American Reality Show The Amazing Race and the Brazilian television show The Embarcados (On a Boat).

Prem wrote the story and lyrics for the film Sixer[5] a CFSI production starring Amrish Puri, directed by Gul Bahar Singh. Later, he wrote dialogues for the film Antarmahal, directed by Rituparno Ghosh. Modi has directed over 300 episodes of musical series for DD1 (Doordarshan) and DD7 television channels. He also directed a fiction series titled Mukti for Doordarshan. Additionally, he directed documentaries, corporate, and promotional films for the Government of India.

His directorial debut was with Arjun – Kalimpong E Sitaharan starring Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, Om, Manoj Mitra and Churni Ganguly. His next release was Panchlait[6] [7], based on Phanishwar Nath Renu's[8] short story starring Amitosh Nagpal, Anuradha Mukherjee, Yashpal Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Ravi Jhankal and Brijendra Kala in lead roles. The film received acclaim from both audiences and was featured in prestigious film festivals, including the International Film Festival of India.[9] He also co-produced a Hindi feature film Ateet starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Priyamani and Sanjay Suri, for ZEE5.

Awards and honors

Filmography

YearTitleLanguageDirectorWriterProducerActorOtherNotes
2021HindiTBA
2020AteetHindiReleased on ZEE5
2017Panchlait[10] HindiReleased on 17 November
2015The EmbarcadosEnglishCreative Adviser & Coordinator
2015The Amazing Race (Kolkata)EnglishAmerican Reality Show
2015Saari RaatHindi1st Assistant Director
2014Anant (Mouth of Hell)Hindi, EnglishAssociate Director
2013Arjun – Kalimpong E SitaharanBengali
2011Fande Poriya Boga Kande ReBengaliChief Assistant Director
2010Iti MrinaliniBengaliChief Assistant Director
2010BBDHindiChief Assistant Director
2010Saade ChaarBengali
2010RikBengali
2010HelplineBengali
2009AagunpakhiBengaliChief Assistant Director
2009GumshudaHindiChief Assistant Director
2009Chowrasta Crossroads of LoveBengaliChief Assistant Director
2008Chalo Let's GoBengaliChief Assistant Director
2008Chaturanga (Four Chapters)BengaliChief Assistant Director
2007Jara Brishtite BhijechhiloBengali1st Assistant Director
2005FaltuBengali1st Assistant Director
2005AntarmahalHindiDialogue
2005Eashwar Mime Co.Hindi
2004Sudhu TumiBengali
2002AbaidhaBengaliChief Assistant Director
2001DattakHindiChief Assistant Director
2001Daughters of This CenturyHindi
2001SixerHindiChief Assistant Director
1999The GoalHindiChief Assistant Director

Television

TitleLanguageRoleChannel
Shesh PrasnaHindiActorDoordarshan
Lebedev Ki NayikaHindiActorDoordarshan
Prem Chand Ki KahaniyaHindiActorDoordarshan
ShikanjeHindiActorDoordarshan
Sahib Biwi Aur GhulamHindiActorSahara One
ShayadHindiActorZee TV
Chorri ChupeHindiActorDoordarshan
MuktiHindiDirectorDoordarshan
Superhit JhankarBengaliDirectorDoordarshan
SiddhantBengaliActorDoordarshan
Saturday SuspenseHindiActorZee TV

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Debutant Director Prem Modi On His Genx Rookie Sleuth — Arjun. https://web.archive.org/web/20140628054954/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130501/jsp/entertainment/story_16845158.jsp#.V-7DjCh95qM. dead. 28 June 2014. 2016-09-30.
  2. Web site: Arjun, Kalimponge Sitahoron - Times of India. The Times of India. 2016-09-30.
  3. Web site: a.chatterji . shoma . Panchlait: The Joy of Light . 2024-02-03 . dev.thecitizen.in . en-US.
  4. Web site: The Goal Children's Film Society, India. cfsindia.org. 2016-09-30.
  5. Web site: Sixer Children's Film Society, India. cfsindia.org. 2016-09-30.
  6. Web site: Panchlait: Prem Modi directed film to release with U certificate . 2024-02-03 . News Nation English . en.
  7. Web site: 2017-12-15 . Adaptation of a Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ story . 2024-02-03 . BusinessLine . en.
  8. Web site: After Teesri Kasam, Renu's Panchlait finds film life . 2024-02-03 . www.telegraphindia.com . en.
  9. Web site: 2017-10-17 . Panchlait teaser: Prem Modi's directorial might leave you with more questions than answers-Entertainment News, Firstpost . 2024-02-03 . Firstpost . en.
  10. Web site: 2017-10-17 . Panchlait teaser: Phanishwar Nath Renu’s short story on silver screen . 2024-02-03 . Hindustan Times . en.