26th June 2023,Mumbai: Veteran film producer Kuljit Pal, who passed away in Mumbai from a heart attack, was recalled by Mahesh Bhatt. Mahesh described Kuljit as “a giant of a man with an extraordinary sense of humour” in a recent interview. The director remembered how Kuljit supported him during Arth when he “faced four flops.” Additionally, he gave Kuljit Pal credit for his “long and enduring career.”
According to a recent source, Kuljit passed away on Saturday at the age of 90 after a protracted illness. On Sunday, he was cremated at the Santacruz crematory. On Thursday from 5 to 6 o’clock there will be a prayer meeting in Santacruz West. Films made by Kuljit include Arth, Aaj, Parmatma, Vaasna, Do Shikari, and Ashiana. He was the first producer to offered actor Rekha her first break in the Hindi film industry. However, the film was shelved.
Mahesh stated, “Kuljit Pal was a giver—a giant of a man with an exceptional sense of humour. I called him Kuli. He would make fun of both himself and his surroundings. I couldn’t have written my timeless classic Arth without his influence on my life. It took courage to create Arth, and Kuljit possessed that courage. To support a director who has experienced four flops and has been cast off by the industry demands guts and bravery. Kuljit stood by me through good times and bad, letting me direct the movie I wanted, hire the actors I wanted, and, most importantly, keep the unconventional finale that gives the movie its character.”
He added, “While everyone typically believes a name with a run of successes, I had never met somebody who backed me in life the way Kuljit did. He recognised something in me that made Arth conceivable. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Kuljit and show my gratitude. I wouldn’t have had a resurrection or a successful, lengthy career if it weren’t for him. I’m grateful, Kuljit.” Sanjay Bajpai, Kuljit’s manager, claimed that the producer had a heart attack. Additionally, he had been struggling with his health for a while.
According to sources, Mahesh was displeased with Kuljit in 2013 for authorising a remake of the 1983 movie Arth. Mahesh said, “First of all, this so-called media-generated debate has a moral issue at its core. The product belongs to the author if there is no contract in place that specifies a profit-sharing arrangement because the author is the only owner under local law.”
-by Kashvi Gala