Producer and India video rights dealer Dhirajlal Shah passed away today (11th March) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he had been admitted a few days back. His lungs had not been functioning to the fullest after he contracted COVID-19 in 2020. He had been admitted to the ICU of Nanavati Hospital in mid-January last year. After that, his movements were restricted as his lungs were weak.
His last rites will be performed tomorrow (12th) at Pawan Hans crematorium on S.V. Road, Vile Parle West. The funeral procession will start from his residence (Mahaveer Society, Lajpatrai Road, Vile Parle West) at 9 a.m. His prayer meeting will be held on Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jalaram Hall, JVPD Scheme, Juhu, Bombay.
Dhirubhai, as he was fondly called, had produced, presented and/or distributed a number of films with brothers Pravin and Hasmukh Shah, including Vijaypath, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Gambler, Masoom, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, Krishna, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Hu Tu Tu, Kurukshetra, The Hero, Khiladi 420, Jodi No. 1, International Khiladi and Kismat, besides TV serials Dishayen, Khushiyan, Sanskar and Bajega Band Baaja. His biggest blockbuster as a distributor was Gadar Ek Prem Katha in Bombay circuit. He had set up Time Video which, in the 1980s and 1990s, was among the companies in the forefront for acquiring India video rights of films. The Shah brothers, therefore, had a huge library of films of which they held India video rights. Much later, he and his son, Jimit, started Time Cinemas which has presence in Ahmedabad, Surat and Idar in Gujarat.
Dhirubhai was a very jovial person who loved to live life to the fullest. In fact, he was extremely disturbed after his movements were restricted post his hospitalisation in early 2023.
Dhirajlal Nanji Shah is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, four brothers (including Pravin and Hasmukh Shah, who are both active in the film industry) and two sisters.