Quick Facts
Biography
O. P. Ralhan was born on 21 August 1928 in Sialkot, Pakistan. He died on 20 April 1999.He was a Bollywood producer, director, writer, actor who made several hit movies in 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Among his notable achievements are giving breaks to struggling actors and also introducing new actors in his films. He directed film Mujrim (1958) starring Shammi kapoor and Ragini. He gave Dharmendra his first golden jubilee blockbuster with Phool Aur Patthar (1966) and made him a star. [[Zeenat Aman was first introduced in Bollywood by O. P. Ralhan in his 1971 film Hulchul, although some people have a misconception that Dev Anand brought her with Hare Rama Hare Krishna. He also introduced Kabir Bedi in Hulchul. He cast Amitabh Bachchan in Bandhe Haath (1973) when he was not yet a known name.
O.P Ralhan's sister was married to Jubilee Star Rajendra kumar. His grandson Armaan (son of his daughter Rupalli) has taken his grandfathers last name Ralhan to continue the legacy of his grandfather in Bollywood.
After playing small roles from early 1950s to early 1960s, he managed to get distributors finance his first film: Gehra Daag (1963), with Rajendra Kumar and Mala Sinha in lead roles. Pool aur Phattar directed by MR.O.P Ralhan with a cast including Meena Kumari, Shashikala & Dharmendra, which went on to make him into a super star.The film was quite successful in Hindi &was also made in Tamil, "Oli Vilakku" starring M.G. Ramachandran, Jaya Lalithaa & Sowkar Janaki. However, he is best remembered as the Director (and also its producer) for film: Talash (1969) (Lead actors:Rajendra Kumar and Sharmila Tagore).The film was, and perhaps still is, quite enjoyable to watch and had excellent music by composer Sachin Dev Burman. It was the most expensive movie made of its time. Hulchul, was a film without any songs a Comedy suspense thriller. "Bandhe Haath" a Doppelgänger story starring Mumtaz & Amitabh Bachchan. "Mari Bena" was Mr Ralhan's venture into Regional films starring Reeta Bhaduri, Arvind Kirad, Dina Pathak & Mr O. P Ralhan. "Paapi" was a multi starrer with an ensemble cast of Sunil Dutt, Sanjiv Kumar, Zeenat Aman, Reena Roy, Prem Chopra, Danny Denzongpa. "Pyaas" was a film made on Social subject a Tax free film starring Tanuja, Zeenat Aman, Kawaljeet Singh & O.P Ralhan.
