About Lekh Tandon:
Lekh Tandon (13 February 1929 – 15 October 2017) was an Indian filmmaker and actor. Lekh started as Assistant Director in Hindi movie industry in 1950s and became a director of several hit movies beginning with Professor (1962 film). Though the prestigious film Jhuk Gaya Aasman starring Rajendra Kumar and Amrapali with Vyjanthimala did not become successful at box office, they are considered classics.
His successful directorial ventures at box office include Prince (1969 film), Ek Baar Kaho, Agar Tum Na Hote. His most talked about film remains Agar Tum Na Hote starring Rajesh Khanna in the main lead. Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye was one of his biggest hits and the film’s heroine Rameshwari told The Times of India that Tandon was involved in every aspect of the film. She also said that the film was released without any publicity.
Actor Victor Banerjee, who played the leading role in his film, Doosri Dulhan, described him as a director who “loved his craft and could deftly weave the commercial angle in a decently-told narrative. For this film Khanna received Best Actor award and Tandon received Best director award at Filmfans Association Awards in 1983. Then he moved on to nascent TV scene and started directing TV serials.
His first offering was Phir Wahi Talash on India’s National Television Channel Doordarshan. Lekh is credited with discovering Shahrukh Khan by casting him his TV serial Dil Dariya. He also directed TV serial Farmaan, broadcast on Doordarshan in early 1990s.
He shared the 1978 Filmfare Best Screenplay Award for his movie, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye, with Vrajendra Gaur and Madhusudan Kalekar.
His biopic, Amrapali starring Vyjayanthimala and Sunil Dutt, was India’s submission to the 39th Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film
He received the Best Director Award for his film Agar Tum Na Hote starring Rajesh Khanna in Filmfans Association of India in 1983.
The Indian cinema lost one of the best it has.