Kushan Nandy

Biography:

Kushan Nandy, the offspring of renowned Indian author and media figure Pritish Nandy, was determined to carve his own niche in the Bollywood industry rather than living in the shadow of his accomplished father. Despite hailing from a family steeped in talent—Pritish being a gifted writer and owner of a production house, and having writer/dramatist Ashish Nandy as a cousin—Kushan chose independence. While his two sisters worked for their father’s company, Pritish Nandy Communications, Kushan pursued a path away from familial ties.

In his early twenties, Kushan gained valuable experience working behind the camera under the guidance of director Satish Kaushik, a close friend of his father. Making his directorial debut at the age of 22 with the murder mystery “88 Antop Hill,” Kushan expressed a penchant for thrillers and mysteries, focusing on genres that captivated him.

The film starred Rahul Dev, Lisa Ray, and Atul Kulkarni, marking the beginning of Kushan’s endeavor to create diverse films that could also achieve commercial success. His television experience included directing thrillers and mysteries like “Saturday Suspense” and “X-Zone” for Zee Network. His collaboration with Kiran Shroff during his television days brought about significant changes in his professional life.

Kushan went on to establish his own company, Sarvodaya Visuals, with Kiran Shroff as his partner. They collaborated on various film projects, emphasizing a successful partnership. One notable television venture was “Do Lafzon Ki Kahaani,” where Kushan successfully brought legendary actress Helen on board.

While his film career did not feature the popular Khans and Kapoors, Kushan worked with a talented ensemble of actors. His second film, “Hum Dum” (2005), had a modest performance at the box office. In 2014, Kushan announced his directorial project, a political thriller titled “Babumoshai Bandookbaaz,” starring Chitrangada Singh and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. However, during filming, controversy erupted over an intimate scene between Nawazuddin and Chitrangada. Their publicized spat led to Chitrangada’s exit from the film, and Kushan, maintaining his decency, dismissed the allegations. The movie underwent casting changes, replacing Chitrangada with a new face.