M W Mukadam
- Born: 24 May, 1921 (Godhra)
- Primary Cinema: Hindi
Cinematographer M W Mukadam was born on 24 May, 1921 in Godhra. He started in films as the operative cameraman for Deedar (1951), a film about a blind and traumatised young man, who makes a living singing, and searching for his childhood sweetheart. The film starred Nargis, Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Nimmi. Mukadam went on to make his debut as cinematographer with Mehmaan (1953). Directed by Ramanand Sagar, the film featured Prem Nath, Nimmi and Sajjan. Mukadam went on to work in films such as Daera (1953), Bazooband (1954), Vachan (1955), Pocket Maar (1956), Arab Ka Saudagar (1956), Sharada (1957), Agra Road (1957), Post Box 999 (1958), Dulha Dulhan (1964), Dil Ne Pukara (1967), Upaasna (1971), Anjaan Raahen (1974), Raja Kaka (1974), and Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977).
Prominent among his films were the L V Prasad-directed Sharada which starred Meena Kumari and Raj Kapoor in the lead in a film that depicted love beyond labels, and Kamal Amrohi’s Daera which followed the life of a 16-year-old girl, Sheetal (Meena Kumari) caught in a vortex of uncertainty and morality.
Among the other films cinematographed by Mukadam, Bazooband, directed by Ramanand Sagar, depicted the ancient forces of virtue and vice, which are in combat for supremacy of one over the other. It starred Balraj Sahni and Sulochana Chatterjee, among others. Vachan starred Geeta Bali and Rajendra Kumar in lead roles, and also received two nominations at the annual Filmfare Awards. Agra Road, directed by Ravindra Dave, starring Vijay Anand, Shakila, Satish Vyas, and Nanda, was a thriller. Another Ravindra Dave directorial, starring Sunil Dutt, Shakila and Leela Chitnis, Post Box 999 revolved around the story of a young man who lives with his widowed mother, and is in love with a young woman. The girl is shot dead and an eyewitness names the young man as the killer. The film depicts the mother’s attempts to prove her son’s innocence. The Ravindra Dave directed Dulha Dulhan starred Raj Kapoor and Sadhana Shivdasani in pivotal roles together for the first time. It told the story of Chanda, unconscious for three days, who goes home only to realize a stranger by the name of Rajkumar claims to be her husband and calls her by the name of Rekha. Upaasna starred Sanjay Khan, Mumtaz and Feroz Khan. The film had a very melodious song Aao tumhe main pyaar sikha du, as well as other popular songs Darpan ko dekha and Meri jawani pyaar ko tarse. Anjaan Raahen, directed by Mohan J Bijlani, starred Feroz Khan, Asha Parekh, and Akbar Khan. It unravelled the mystery of a London-returned teacher played by Feroz Khan, who is well-liked by his students, but faces a challenge when he is accused of raping and impregnating a female student. Raja Kaka was directed by Chotu Bihari. The film’s title was said to be a tribute to superstar Rajesh Khanna, who was known by this nickname. However, Khanna opted out of the film, which eventually starred Kiran Kumar in the lead role with Vidya Sinha and Roopesh Kumar.
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