Veteran writer Prayag Raaj breathed his last today (23rd September) in Bombay. The last rites will take place tomorrow (24th) at 10 a.m. at the Shivaji Park crematorium.
Prayag Raj Sharma had written the screenplay for such films as Roti, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam-Veer, Suhaag, Desh Premee, Coolie, etc. As is evident from the list above, he worked on several films in collaboration with Manmohan Desai. He was also creatively involved in films like Professor, Ponga Pandit, Ajooba, Mard, Naseeb, Allah Rakha, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi, Chacha Bhatija, Chor Sipahi, Parvarish, Dharam Karam, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Paap Aur Punya, Bhai Ho To Aisa, Deewana Mastana, GuruDev and Hifazat. Many of the films written by him proved to be hits and super-hits at the ticket windows.
Prayag Raaj had also directed a few films. Among his directorial ventures were Geraftaar and Gair Kaanoni. In Geraftaar, he assembled three top stars — Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He was the co-director of Coolie. He worked with almost all the top stars of an era gone by. Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra were seen in films written by Prayag Raaj. He also worked with almost all the Kapoors. Prayag Raaj occasionally also acted in films. The evergreen expressions ‘Yahoo’ (Junglee), ‘Affoo Khuda’ (Jab Jab Phool Khile) and ‘Allah Rakha’ (Coolie) were his gift to a nation which remembers them fondly even today.
Prayag Raaj had lost his son very recently. He is survived by another son, Aditya, and his family.