B. K. Karanjia

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Burjor Khurshedji Karanjia (21 December 1919 โ€“ 25 June 2012) was an Indian film journalist and editor. He was the editor of Filmfare for 18 years, followed by Screen which he edited for 10 years. He also remained the chairman of the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC).[1][2]

Early life and background

Karanjia was born and brought up in

R. K. Karanjia, who became a noted investigative journalist and founded Blitz.[1][3] He studied at Wilson College, Mumbai and it was here that he first developed interest in films. In 1934, a group of students from the college were taken on a study tour to Bombay Talkies studio in Malad. There he saw the shooting of German director Franz Osten's film Always Tell Your Wife with Najmal Hussain and Devika Rani, which left him mesmerised.[4]

Career

Karanjia started his career with the

Indian Civil Services (ICS) after passing the exam in 1943, however within a few months of joining, he left services as he didn't enjoy the work in the Supplies department. He instead joined as a literary assistant in the National War Front organisation in India. Subsequently, he chose to become a film journalist. In between, he also joined the Godrej Group, as publicity manager at their Malayasia factory.[3][5]

In time he became the editor of the film magazine

Times of India publication, where he worked for the next 18 years. During his tenure, the magazine almost doubled its circulation and he even tried to sort out the scandals associated with the Filmfare Awards.[3]

After his retirement from Filmfare,

Indian film industry and several biographies.[1][3]

Karanjia was the founder of the Film Finance Corporation, which later became the NFDC with him as its chairman. In time, it started financing art films made on a low budget, initiating what is now known as Parallel cinema, through the late 1970s and '80s.[6]

The film Pestonjee starring Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, was based on his story about two Parsi friends. He also wrote dialogues of the film and co-wrote the screenplay with the director Vijaya Mehta.[7] At the 35th National Film Awards, it won the award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[8] His well-received autobiography, Counting My Blessings was published in 2005.[5]

Personal life

B. K. Karanjia was married to Abad (Allbless).[9] He lived in Bandra, a Mumbai suburb. Later in life, after the death of his wife in 2005, he shifted to Sopan Baug area in Pune in 2007, where he died at Jehangir hospital at the age of 92. He was survived by daughters, Routton and Delshad, and son Yuzud. His elder brother, Russi died five years prior to him.[1]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Film scribe B K Karanjia passes away". The Times of India. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Film journalist B.K. Karanjia, former NFDC chairman, dead". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d V. Gangadhar (29 January 2006). "Writing for pleasure". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  4. ^ B K Karanjia (2009). "Beyond the limelight". Harmony Org. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b Himmat Singh Gill (29 January 2000). "Gallery of memories". The Sunday Tribune. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Former NFDC chairman BK Karanjia dies at 92". IBNLive. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  7. IMDb
  8. ^ "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  9. ^ "India Today Magazine Issue - Dated September 20, 2021".
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