The career of Govind Nihalani began in 1962 following his graduation from the Government Film and Television Institute. A pivotal figure in the development of Hindi parallel cinema, he transitioned from a technical role as a cinematographer into a prolific director and screenwriter, eventually securing numerous national accolades for his contributions to the Indian film industry.
Early Life and Training
Born in 1940 in Karachi, Sindh province, Nihalani relocated to India following the partition of 1947. He pursued formal technical training in Bangalore, graduating with a degree in cinematography from the Government Film and Television Institute in 1962.
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Nihalani initially served as an assistant to V. K. Murthy before establishing his own profile as a cinematographer. He maintained a long-term collaboration with filmmaker Shyam Benegal, contributing to many of his early productions. Beyond his work in Hindi cinema, he participated in the production of Richard Attenborough’s biographical drama Gandhi in 1982. During that project, he functioned as an uncredited second unit director, capturing key sequences such as the funeral procession.
Directorial Breakthroughs
His debut directorial project, the 1980 legal drama Aakrosh, featured a screenplay by Vijay Tendulkar and starred Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, and Amrish Puri. The film received the Golden Peacock for best film at the International Film Festival of India in 1981. He continued his directorial focus with Ardh Satya in 1983, which relied on a narrative by S. D. Panwalkar. His creative output later included the 1996 script for Drohkaal, which inspired the Tamil adaptation Kuruthipunal, serving as India’s official entry for the 68th Academy Awards.
Literary and Cultural Contributions
In addition to his film production, Nihalani co-authored the Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema in 2003 alongside Saibal Chatterjee and Gulzar. Throughout his career, he focused on socially relevant narratives, including the 1997 adaptation of Mahasweta Devi’s novel Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940, Karachi
- Citizenship: India
- Education: Government Film and Television Institute
- Padma Shri: 2002
- Occupations: Screenwriter, cinematographer, film director, producer
- Notable Book: Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema (2003)
Questions readers ask
What is Govind Nihalani’s connection to the film Gandhi?
He worked as a cinematographer and an uncredited second unit director, filming significant sequences including the funeral procession.
How many National Film Awards has he won?
He is the recipient of six National Film Awards.
Achievements
- National Film Award for Best Cinematography
- Worked as film director, film producer and screenwriter
