Biography
Pritish Nandy is a Indian poet, painter, journalist, politician, media and television personality, animal activist and film producer. He is Bengali by ethnicity. He was member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament representing Maharashtra based party Shiv Sena. He has published a number of poetry books in English and translated poems by other writers from Bengali and Urdu into English.
Early Life
Nandy was born on 15 January 1951, in Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar in eastern India to a Bengali Christian family. He is the son of Satish Chandra Nandy and Prafulla Nalini Nandy, and brother of Ashis Nandy and Manish Nandy. He was educated at La Martiniere College and, briefly at Presidency College in Kolkata. Nandy's mother was a teacher at La Martiniere Calcutta and subsequently became the school's first Indian vice principal.
Publishing Career
Nandy's first book of poems Of gods and olives was published in 1967. Three further volumes followed in the 1960s and a further 14 volumes were published in the 1970s. In July 1981 Nandy was nominated as a Poet Laureate by the World Academy of Arts and Culture at the Fifth World Congress of Poets in San Francisco.
In 1982 Nandy became a full-time journalist. He was publishing director of The Times of India from 1982 to 1991, and editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India from 1983 to 1991. He has also served as the editor of The Independent and Filmfare. He served concurrently as the publisher of The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent, Filmfare, Femina, Science Today, Dharmayug and Madhuri. He is currently a columnist with The Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar.
Nandy opened India's first cyber café in 1996.
Political Career
Nandy was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, in July 1998. He was a Member of Parliament for six years and was on a number of committees including the National Committee to Celebrate 50 years of Independence, the Parliamentary Committee for Defence, the Parliamentary Committee for Communications, the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs. He is on the Expert Committee for upgradation of the International Film Festival of India set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Film and Television
Nandy founded Pritish Nandy Communications in 1993 and remains its Non-Executive Chairman. The Company's first programme was a chat show entitled the The Pritish Nandy Show which aired on Doordarshan, a public broadcasting channel. The World This Week also aired on Doordarshan. This was followed by Fiscal Fitness, India's first weekly business show, on Zee TV, and The Pritish Nandy Business Show. Nandy has presented over 500 news and current affairs shows on Doordarshan, Zee TV and Sony TV. Nandy's film and television productions include:
Television Content
1. India 98 : The Choice
A live election debate show on Doordarshan. Moderated by Pritish Nandy and Nalini Singh. Directed by Pankuj Parashar. Won the RAPA Award.
2. The Pritish Nandy Show
A signature chat show on Doordarshan and Zee TV Network. Hosted by Pritish Nandy. Directed by Umesh Agarwal. The show was later repeated on Doordarshan Metro, Jain, Sun and Udaya TV. Nominated for the Screen Videocon Awards.
3. Maneka's Ark
An environment chat show on Star Plus and Doordarshan. Hosted by Maneka Gandhi. Directed by Amar Sharma and Rima Chhib.
4. Mr Gaayab
A comedy serial based on the invisible man on Zee TV Network. Starring Joy Sengupta. Directed by Kushan Nandy.
5. Face Off
An election chat show on Doordarshan. Hosted by Pritish Nandy and Javed Akhtar. Directed by Pankuj Parashar.
6. Ek Raja Ek Rani
A comedy serial on Doordarshan and Zee TV Network. Starring Shekhar Suman in a double role and Bhairavi Raichura. Directed by Kushan Nandy. Won the Aashirwad Award for Best Actor in 1999.
7. Raj Kahani
A costume drama on Doordarshan. Starring R Madhavan in a double role. Directed by Kushan Nandy.
8. Khwahish
A behind the scenes look at the big bad world of fashion on Sony Television. Starring Annie Thomas. Directed by Manu Gargi.
9. Yudh
A daily soap opera on Doordarshan, Sun, Udaya and Jain TV. Starring Mahavir Bhullar and Lalit Tiwari. Directed by Kushan Nandy.
10. Sanjog
A daily show based on the story of an ideal Indian family. This serial crossed 250 episodes on Doordarshan National. Starring Amar Talwar, Anjana Mumtaz, Aamir Ali Malik etc. Directed by Ajeet Kumar.
11. India-The Awakening
A daily show profiling achievers on Doordarshan. Hosted by Pritish Nandy. Directed by different directors.
12. Hungama Unlimited
A sitcom that lists the best of Hindi films and pop music. Also a countdown show to hit the number one position on Doordarshan Metro in terms of viewership ratings. Directed by different directors.
13. Heads & Tails
An animal rights show on Doordarshan. Hosted by Maneka Gandhi. Directed by Umesh Agarwal. Won the RAPA Award and was nominated for the Screen Videocon and Pinnacle Awards.
14. Entertainment Now
A daily entertainment news show on Doordarshan. Hosted by Sagarika Sonie. Directed by Subir Dhar and Amitabh Tripathi.
15. Chup Bas Lakshya
PNC's foray into regional Marathi television on Doordarshan Sahyadri. Starring Laxmikant Berde. Directed by Bhaskar Jadhav.
16. New Horizons
An alternative lifestyle show on Doordarshan and Zee TV Network. Hosted by Maneka Gandhi. Won a Screen Videocon Award.
17. Fiscal Fitness
A corporate and business show on Zee TV Network. Hosted by Pritish Nandy. Directed by Umesh Agarwal.
Films
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi /2001/ Producer
Bollywood Calling /2001/ Producer
The Mystic Masseur /2001/ Producer
Sur, The Melody of Life /2002/ Producer
Kaante /2002/ Producer
Jhankaar Beats /2003/ Producer
Mumbai Matinee /2003/ Producer
Chameli /2004/ Producer
Popcorn Khao! Mast Ho Jao /2004/ Producer
Shabd /2005/ Producer
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi /2005/ Producer
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena /2005/ Producer
Ankahee /2006/ Producer
Pyaar Ke Side Effects /2006/ Producer
Bow Barracks Forever /2007/ Producer
Just Married /2007/ Producer
Ugly Aur Pagli /2008/ Producer
Meerabai Not Out /2008/ Producer
Raat Gayi Baat Gayi? /2009/ Producer
Click /2010/ Producer
Awards
National Science Talent Scholar 1964
American Field Service Scholar, 1964
E. M. Forster Literary Award, 1976
Padma Shri, 1977
Homi Bhabha Fellow, 1982
Shrikant Verma Award for Journalism, 1988
Outstanding Citizen Award, 1986 and 1992
Vijaya Ratna Award, 1989
Shiromani Vikas Award, 1990
Priyadarshini Award, 1990
Freedom of Information Award, 1990
RAPA Hamid Sayani Trophy 2003 for contribution to Indian media and entertainment
United Nations Heritage Award 2006
Ramnath Goenka Award 2006 for Excellence in Cinema
Karmaveer Puraskaar 2008 ..
