Rajiv Gulshan Rai (born 18 July 1955) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film editor. The son of producer Gulshan Rai, he has directed many films under his father's production company, Trimurti Films, including Yudh (1985), Tridev (1989), Vishwatma (1992), Mohra (1994), Gupt (1997), Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) and Asambhav (2004). He was married to actress Sonam from 1991 to 2016 and has a son with her.
Rajiv Rai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 18 July 1955 |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 1982–2004 2022–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Father | Gulshan Rai |
Career
editHe made his debut as a director with the 1985 action film Yudh. He went on to write and direct several hit films in the action and thriller genres: Tridev (1989), Vishwatma (1992), Mohra (1994), and Gupt (1997). His films are also notable for their hit music composed by Kalyanji-Anandji (in Tridev) and Viju Shah in all his subsequent films. After a four-year hiatus from the Bollywood industry, he returned to directing by introducing Arjun Rampal with his comeback venture Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001).[1] This was an attempt by Rai at directing a romantic drama, a change from his previous action films. The film failed at the box office and Rai returned to the action genre with his next film Asambhav (2004), again starring Arjun Rampal, which also failed to do well. Shortly after the release of Asambhav, his father died at the age of 80 of a prolonged illness.
Following a sabbatical of two decades, Rai announced his return to direction in 2022 with a production titled Zora.[2][3]
Personal life
editIn 1991, he married Bollywood actress Sonam, whom he had directed in Tridev and Vishwatma. They have a son, Gaurav Rai (b. 1992). They divorced in 2016.[4]
In 1997, he had to leave India with his family for the UK after a failed attempt to kill him by hitmen believed to be working for the Mumbai underworld leader Abu Salem.[5]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Yudh | Screenplay, Director |
| 1989 | Tridev | Writer, Screenplay, Director |
| 1992 | Vishwatma | Screenplay, Director |
| 1994 | Mohra | Screenplay, Director |
| 1997 | Gupt | Editor, Screenplay, Director, Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Director |
| 2001 | Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat | Editor, Screenplay, Producer, Director |
| 2004 | Asambhav | Editor, Screenplay, Producer, Director |
References
edit- ^ "A complete change of scene". The Hindu. 17 August 2001. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ^ "'Tridev' director Rajiv Rai back on set". Mid-day. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ "'Gupt' director Rajiv Rai set for his new film after 18 years". The Times of India. 3 July 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ "15 साल से अलग रह रहे राजीव-सोनम का तलाक, 25 साल पहले हुई थी शादी". dainikbhaskar (in Hindi). 1 August 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Director Rajiv Rai shot at, escapes unhurt". Rediff. 31 July 1997. Retrieved 15 September 2019.