Mehmood Hussain

Mehmood Hussain was an Indian filmmaker, avant-garde auteur, director and author hailing from the Indian state of Odisha. Mehmood's feature films and documentaries had represented India in four International film festivals. His first feature film Unwanted was India's lone entry at Cannes film festival, France in 1985. Mehmood has authored the book "The Palestine Liberation Organisation : A study in ideology, strategy and tactics" for which he was bestowed with the honorary citizenship of the free Palestine state by the interim state of Palestine. In his 25 years of filming career, Mehmood had written, produced and directed 74 short films, various TV programmes, serials, documentaries and feature films. Mehmood's film "Ulgulan", is Odisha's first period drama movie.

Early life and education

Mehmood Hussain was born in Mufti Bagh, Jajpur into the royal family of Shergarh-Tarakote to Mohammed Muzammil Hussain and his wife, Bibi Sahiba Salma Khatoon. He was the great grandson of Tajdar e Tarakote, Raja Syed Ekram Ali. The notable Odia author and politician, Hussain Rabi Gandhi is his elder brother. Mehmood's grandfather Mohammed Dabiruddin was the last ruler of Tarakote State.

Mehmood finished his schooling from Brajanath Bada Jena high school. He then matriculated from Sambalpur Zilla High school in 1965. Mehmood earned a graduation degree in Political Science from Sambalpur University. He went ahead and did his master's degree in political science from Delhi University. He did his MPhil and PhD from school of International studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Mehmood later developed interest in filmmaking and decided to change his track. In 1981 he earned a diploma in Cinema (Direction) from the prestigious FTII, Pune. The Revolutionary Arabs : The Unfinished Agenda, the book was released by the foreign minister of Palestine, Nabil Sha'ath on 31 August 2003.

Filmography

Mehmood has directed and produced 74 short films documentaries and TV serials on the culture, ethos, issues and art of India. Some of his notable short films include Geeta, Historic Shahjahanabad, Darool Waloom, Prakruti Kola re Adivasi Mahila (A film on UNDP sub plan), Street Children, Padadip Port, Andhararu Alua, Sixty years of Odia Cinema, part 1, Sixty years of Odia Cinema part 2, Rail Roko, Children of Blind Alley, Hindu temple art of Odisha and several others.

Personal life Mehmood Hussain married Nasim Saher. He has two daughters Nausheen Hanan Hussain and Farheen Hussain.

Death Mehmood died on 11 November 2015 at his residence. He was suffering from brain cancer.