Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi

Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi, (also spelled as Vishwanath Prasad Shahabadi), also known as B.P. Shahabadi, was an Indian film producer and businessperson known for producing Bhojpuri and Hindi films. He is known as the father of Bhojpuri cinema. He is known for producing the first black-and-white Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1962. His works include Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya (Bhojpuri) and Hindi films like Rootha Na Karo, Ganga Dham, Geet Ganga, Sasural and Tulsi and Ghar Jamai. He died on 13 July 2000.

Biography He was born on 24 January 1912, in Bandhuchhapra village in Arrah, Bihar. Shahabadi owned mica and coal mines, along with a liquor contract business. Shahabadi owned movie theaters in Dhanbad and Giridih. In 1938, he contributed to the freedom cause by purchasing six yards of khadi from Rajendra Prasad in a special auction for Rs 15,000.

In the 1960s, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, asked Bishwanath to make a Bhojpuri film. He produced the film Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo in 1963, marking the first Bhojpuri language film, which was well received. The film was produced by Shahabadi under Nirmal Pictures and directed by Kundan Kumar.

He wrote the story for the 1980 film Ganga Dham. He worked on Geet Ganga Ke, a flop at box office. In 1983, he produced Hamaar Bhauji, a big hit. It was inspired by a famous South Indian film called "Bhabhi" (1957).

Filmography + Year Film 1992 Ghar Jamai 1989 Ustaad 1985 Tulsi 1984 Sasural 1982 Geet Ganga 1979 Ganga Dham 1970 Rootha Na Karo 1965 Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya 1962 Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo

Personal life He was the youngest among the five children of father Uttamchand Shah. Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi was married to Swarnmani Devi. He died at the age of 89 on 13 July 2000.