N.N. Sippy was a prominent Indian film producer and distributor whose work shaped Bollywood during its golden era. His career spanned several decades, where he produced films like “Wo Kaun Thi?,” “Gumnaam,” “Chor Machaye Shor,” “Fakira,” “Kalicharan,” “Ghar,” “Sargam,” “Meri Jung,” and many more.
Early Life
N.N. Sippy was born in 1931 in Hyderabad, Sindh, which is now Pakistan. His father was a well-known distributor and theater owner in the pre-Partition era. After partition, the family moved to Bombay. His brothers Ram Sippy, Gul Sippy, and Kishen Sippy also went into film production. Ram Sippy is the grandfather of Nikhil Advani, the famous director.
N.N. Sippy completed his college education in Mumbai after the family’s move. During his school years, he worked on accounts at his father’s office. N.N. Sippy entered the film industry in the 1950s, working across production, finance, and distribution.
N.N. Sippy – The Beginning
After working for many years, N.N. Sippy produced his first film, “Qatil,” in 1959. Qatil was an action-adventure film starring Premnath, Chitra and Shyam Kumar and directed by Mohammed Hussain. He again collaborated with Hussain for another swashbuckler, “Rooplekha,” starring Mahipal. The success of these films was the start of alegendary career and his banner, N.N. Sippy Productions.
He again collaborated with Hussain for another swashbuckler, “Rooplekha,” starring Mahipal. The success of these films was the start of alegendary career and his banner, N.N. Sippy Productions.
In 1964, N.N. Sippy teamed up with Raj Khosla for the suspense thriller “Wo Kaun Thi.” The film starring Sadhana and Manoj Kumar was a big hit. The film established Manoj Kumar in big league. The film’s music by Madan Mohan was a big factor in its success. Film’s songs like “Lag ja Gale Se,” and “Naina Barse Rim Jhim Rim Jhim” are sill favourite among the fans
Sippy’s next was Raja Nawathe directed Gumnaam (1965), again starring Manoj Kumar with Nanda and Mehmood. The suspense thriller launched the editor duo Waman-Guru and became a cult classic. N.N. Sippy partnered with S.S. Vasan of Gemini Studios for “Shatranj (1969),” a notable co-production. He then produced Sanjeev Kumar and Rakhee starrer “Paras (1971)” and Anil Dhawan and Rehana Sultan’s “Harjeet (1972).”
N.N. Sippy The Hit Maker
In 1994 he came up with “Chor Machaye Shor,” which revived Shashi Kapoor’s career and introduced composer Ravindra Jain. Ashok Roy directed film also had “Mumtaz” who was the top heroine of the time. He again cast Shashi Kapoor in “Fakira (1976),” which established Shabana Azmi in commercial cinema.
His “Kalicharan (1976)” made Subhash Ghai and Shatrughan Sinha household names. Sippy collaborated with Gulzar on “Ghar (1978), “starring Rekha and Vinod Mehra. This was the film that turned around the career of Rekha. The film deals with the subject of rape and its physical, emotional, and social effects. The film is widely considered one of the most sensitive portrayals of the tragedy in Hindi cinema.
He produced “Sargam (1979),” which introduced Jayaprada in Hindi films. In 1980, Sippy produced the horror-thriller “Phir Wohi Raat,” directed by Danny Denzongpa. The film starring Rajesh Khanna, Kim and Aruna Irani has developed a cult following over the years. He again collaborated with Subhash Ghai for “Meri Jung (1985),” which highlighted Anil Kapoor’s rise. Sippy also produced Devata (1978), Ghazab (1982), Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj (1992), Teesra Kaun? (1994), and Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999).
Personal Life
N.N. Sippy was a respectable figure in the industry. The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) honored him with a trophy for his work. He served as president of the Indian Motion Picture Distributors Association for over 20 years.
N.N. Sippy married Champa Nari Sippy, though the exact date remains unrecorded. They had three daughters and a son, Pravesh Sippy, who continues the production legacy. His wife, Champa Nari Sippy, passed away in 1981. The family lived in Mumbai. He died on November 7, 2006, in Mumbai at age 75.
N.N. Sippy on IMDB
