indian cinema heritage foundation

Harry Fernandes

Director
  • Born: 12th February 1961
  • Primary Cinema: Konkani
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A veteran of over thousand Marathi plays, Harry Fernandes has worked in Bhojpuri, Marathi and Konkani films. Some of this notable plays are Charlie Chaplin, Mogambo Khush Hua, and Ami Xalet Zannar Nahim. He was influenced to join films by Govinda, who is his childhood friend. He introduced him to Lawrence D’Souza of Saajan (1991) fame, who gave him an opportunity to be an assistant cameraman. He worked with him for eight years in which he worked in Nyay Anyay (1990) and Prateeksha (1993). Lawrence in turn introduced him to Laxmikant Berde, the famous comedian. Laxmikant’s brother Purushottam Berde was in search of an assistant director and Harry filled this gap. With Purushottam Berde he worked in Shame to Shame (1991) and Ek Full Char Half (1991). Harry was invited for the trial of Jimmy Shergill’s film Jahan Tum Le Chalo (1999). He provided helpful criticism which was approved by the film’s makers. Later he received the opportunity to make a Hindi film called Anjaane: The Unknown (2005). His audio visual script Superstar No. 1 Amitabh Bachchan has been praised by the star himself.
An NRI from Bihar approached Lawrence who was in need of a director for his Bhojpuri film. Lawrence recommended Harry leading to him helming the film Bhojpuri Bhaiya (2008). The film was a hit and thus he got more Bhojpuri films like Gola Barood, Bhumiputra, Aj Ke Karan Arjun and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati. His Marathi film Madhyam Varg-The Middle Class (2014) was also a resounding success. 
He forayed into Konkani films with Noxibacho Khell (2016) and  Zanvoy No. 1 (2018). For Sophiya - A Dream Girl (2017) he earned the award of best director from the Karnataka government. Mangalore’s Kalangan has bestowed him with Hyssna Global Award for best script. Similarly he has earned awards for his dialogues in Bhumiputra. He is currently involved in a new Konkani film entitled Benddkar.