PTI

Mumbai, Nov 8: Noted film producer N N Sippy, best known for films like Kalicharan, Sargam, Chor Machaye Shor and Fakira, died at Breach Candy hospital on Tuesday evening.

He was 75 and survived by his son and three daughters.

Sippy was suffering from a heart ailment and died at 6.50 pm. He was admitted to the hospital last week, family sources said.

Before beginning his career as a producer in 1959, Sippy worked for 10 years in the film industry in various capacities, including film finance and distribution.

His father was a prominent distributor in Sindh province before India's partition and he too briefly worked for the family business.

Sippys career straddled various eras of filmmaking to which he made his own contributions.

"One should be well acquainted with all the parameters of filmmaking. Otherwise this is no place for you," he once said.

After India's partition, Sippy moved to Mumbai, where he completed his college degree while working in the film industry. The formal education gave him the self-confidence that helped him deal with the wounds of partition, he later said.

As a producer, Sippy's first film was Kaatil, a swashbuckling fantasy drama that starred Premnath and Chitra.

Sippy then made another fantasy named Rooplekha with the director of his first venture, Mohammed Hussain.

This too was a success but Sippy decided to venture into other genres. This led to diverse hits like the supernatural thriller Woh Kaun Thi (1964), the musical Sargam (1979), action films Kalicharan and Fakira (both 1976) and the comedy Chor Machaye Shor (1974).

Sippy worked with directors like Guru Dutt and Subhash Ghai, whom he gave a break to direct his first film.

"You have to really know your work to be able to keep up with the changing trends in filmmaking, and to ensure that the audiences keep on watching your films," he once remarked.

Filmography as Producer

Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999)
Teesra Kaun (1994)
Aaj Ka Goondaraj (1992)
Aag Se Khelenge (1989)
Meri Jung (1985)
Ghazab (1982)
Phir Wahi Raat (1980)
Sargam (1979)
Devtaa (1978)
Ghar (1978)
Fakira (1976)
Kalicharan (1976)
Chor Machaye Shor (1974)
Haar Jeet (1972)
Paras (1971)