"Vijay Bhatt is dead. One more pillar falls

Excerpts from SCREEN dated 22nd October 1993. Article by Ali Peter John

One more example of an individual rising to become an institution in his life time, an institution to inspire generations to come, passed into the pages of history when Vijayshankar J. Bhatt (better known as Vijay Bhatt) died at 4:30 a.m. on October 17 at Saket, the house he built in Bombay. The funeral was attended by just a small crowd of friends which included Naushad, poet Pradeep, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Chandrashekhar and a few friends and admirers."

"Vijay Bhatt was awarded a gold medal and a scroll of honour by late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema in 1981 at a function organized by the Indian Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Talkies."

"The last honour he received was IMPPA's special trophy for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1990. Vijay Bhatt , the institution, retired after making 'Heera Aur Patthar' (with Shashi Kapoor & Shabana Azmi) in 1977. The man who once made a film on a budget of less than forty thousand rupees and whose word was the final command, found it nightmarish to change with the changing times, the changing colours of the conscience of the people. He retired gracefully, but never lost touch with what was happening to Indian cinema.

He had no major regrets but he silently craved for the Dadasaheb Phalke award. He told some friends he deserved it because he felt he had done more than his bit for Indian cinema. That secret dream died with him on the morning of October 17. Will he also be one of those who are privileged posthumously? A Government which can honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose after fifty years and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the man who framed the Indian Constitution after forty-five years, can still think of honouring this great son of Indian cinema"

The End of Vijay Bhatt

Excerpts from Metropolis On Saturday dated 23-24 October 1993. Article by Sriprakash Menon

OBITUARY: VIJAY BHATT

"Reel Life Stalwart It is unfortunate that the contributions made by filmmaker Vijay Bhatt to the Indian cinema went unnoticed, that the government never bothered to recognize him with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in his lifetime, which came to an end late last week. Low profile, simple, softspoken and highly talented, Bhatt had some unique distinctions as a filmmaker. No film historian or scholar can deny Bhatt his place in the sun.

Away form the razzle dazzle of modern moviedom, Vijayshankar Bhatt was a contented person. After his illustrious and hectic cinema career, he led a modest life at his Vile Parle residence."

"Short, grey haired and graceful, Bhatt was one of the handful of culturally and cinematically rich film-makers this country has produced. His films opened up the rich repositories of Indian heritage for viewers both in India and abroad. True to his name, Vijay was very successful in his endeavours as a filmmaker, even though the government may have failed to bestow on him the highest recognition for his role in reel life."

"Vijay Bhatt, director, dead

Times Of India, October 18th 1993.

The veteran producer-director Vijay Bhatt, who made such trend-setting films as Ram Rajya and Baiju Bawra, died following a heart failure at his Vile Parle residence here this morning. He was 86.

A genial soft-spoken man, he retired from the screen world after making Heera Aur Patthar in 1977.

Born in Palitana, Gujarat, he completed his Inter Science from St. Xavier's College in Bombay. Thereafter he obtained a diploma in electrical lighting and served BEST as an officer for some years.

Vijay Bhatt made 64 films with Dreamland in 1936. Among his other notable films are Leather Face, Ek Hi Bhool, Narsi Bhagat, Bharat Milap, Goonj Uthi Shehnai, Hariyali Aur Raasta, Himalaya Ki Godmein."

"Vijay Bhatt dead

Indian Express, October 18th 1993

Stalwart of Indian Cinema, Vijay Bhatt, died of a cardiac arrest on Sunday morning. He was 87 and is survived by his two sons and daughters.

Bhatt, the founder of Prakash Pictures, was the maker of some memorable musicals and mythological films including 'Ram Rajya', 'Baiju Bawra'.

He was the oldest living founder member of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association.

Interestingly, the only film seen by Mahatma Gandhi was 'Ram Rajya'.