Avtar Bhogal (Born 4th November in Punjab, India) is a maverick Indian filmmaker, best known for directing the popular and critically acclaimed films like Zakhmi Aurat, Aaj Kie Aurat and Honour Killing.
Avtar Bhogal is a versatile with professional experience of filmmaking, film direction, acting, screenplay writing and storytelling.
Avtar Bhogal is a multitalented with credentials of over 15 feature films in Hindi and Punjabi Film Industry.
Born in Punjab, Avtar Bhogal was taken to Kenya when he was nine years old. He got his formal education in that country and then the film bug took him to Britain, where he did a course in film direction at the London Television Centre in Warwick, Warwickshire from 1960 to 1962.
Britain, he thought, was good enough for learning cinematography but, probably, he did not think it to be right place to make the right professional start by an Indian. So he came to Bombay at the end of ‘Sixties’ and became an assistant of Dev Anand in “Prem Pujari”. He also worked under T. Prakash Rao for “Duniya”.
Some three years back, he joined hand with another Indian from Britain, B. S. Bening, who later started the production of “Ek Huns Ka Jora”. He started his career as an independent director from the film “Ek Huns Ka Jora”.
Maverick Indian filmmaker Avtar Bhogal, famed for a series of controversial women’s issue films exploring themes of sexual exploitation and violence in the 1990’s, manipulating traditional Bollywood conventions to the consternation of the Censor Board, critics and traditionalists alike, at the time.
Avtar believes that films should be made to entertain. But after having had a good time, the viewer should have something to take home, too. That is a good value for the filmgoer’s money, he feels. And, with such ideas, he should stay in business if he executes them well.
Avtar Bhogal’s credentials as Director (Honour Killing in 2015, Dil Ka Doctor in 1995, Aaj Kie Aurat in 1993, Haar Jeet in 1990, Zakhmi Aurat in 1988, Haan Nu Haan Pyara in 1983, Videsh in 1977, Ek Hans Ka Jora in 1975), as Writer (Honour Killing, Aaj Kie Aurat, Ek Hans Ka Jora), as Producer (Dil Ka Doctor, Aaj Kie Aurat, Videsh), as Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (Prem Pujari in 1970, Duniya in 1968) and as Actor (Videsh in 1977, The Media Show (TV Series) in 1988, Episode #3.10 in 1988).
Presently, Avtra Bhogal is working on a few prominent projects and shuttling between India and UK due to hectic work schedule.
Avtarji is multi-talented filmmaker, who has expertise from developing script to film in cinemas. With vast experience of pre-production to post-production, makes him a successful filmmaker and producer.
Maverick Indian filmmaker is famous for direction of controversial issue based films, manipulating traditional Bollywood conventions to the consternation of the Censor Board, critics and traditionalists alike, at the time.
Avtarji is also a well-known personality in Hindi and Punjabi film Industry for his acting, storytelling, script writing and screenplay skills.
Avtarji is the proud owner of the two film production and distribution companies as HIFI ENTERTAINMENT LTD. (UK) and ABC FILMS INTERNATIONAL (INDIA)
“Research has shown that victims often feel government authorities have done little to help. Through the film Honour Killing, I would like to forward a humble request to our society to wake up and realize that we need to be involved rather than be safe on the grounds of cultural sensibilities. No doubt the issue of honour is important but does it justify the killing of a human being solely for the purpose of honour?”
