K. Asif (14 June 1922 – 9 March 1971) was an Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter who is famous for his work on the Hindi epic motion picture, Mughal-e-Azam (1960).
Born Asif Karim in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India to parents Dr. Fazal Karim and Bibi Ghulam Fatima. Asif went to Bombay and later took the name K. Asif. He became a successful director.
His directorial debut, Phool (1945), did very well at the box-office. In 1944, Asif planned to make a film called Mughal-e-Azam based on the life and times of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great's court dancer, based on a Urdu novel 'Anarkali' written by Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, with Chandramohan in the male lead and the then upcoming actress Nargis in the female lead. However, in 1946, before the production of the film could begin, the male lead, Chandramohan, died. At that time, Asif temporarily shelved the film until further notice. He produced the film Hulchul and released it in 1951.
At that time, Asif recast Mughal-e-Azam with Dilip Kumar in the male lead and Madhubala in the female lead and began the production of the film in the same year. In 1960, after twelve years in production, Mughal-e-Azam was released and became a huge hit at packed cinema houses across India.
After the release and success of Mughal-e-Azam, Asif planned yet another motion picture called Love and God, his first directorial venture to be made completely in color, and began production. The film was to star Guru Dutt in the male lead and Nimmi in the female lead. However, in 1964, when lead actor Guru Dutt died, shooting came to a halt. Asif recast Sanjeev Kumar in the male lead and resumed production of the film. During the production of the film, K. Asif died on 9 March 1971 at the age of 48 and the film was abandoned. In 1986, Asif's widow, Akhtar Asif, released the film in an incomplete form.
Filmography
Director
Phool (1945)
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Love And God (1986) (incomplete)
Producer
Hulchul (1951)
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Screenwriter
Mughal-e-Azam (1960) (screenplay)
Awards
1960: Filmfare Best Movie Award - Mughal-e-Azam
1960: Filmfare Best Director Award - Mughal-e-Azam: Nominated
1960: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi - Mughal-e-Azam
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