Film producer 'Parsi' Muhammed passes away

Malappuram: T Muhammed Bapu, producer of critically acclaimed 1976 Malayalam film ‘Swapnadanam’, passed away at a hospital in Edappal on Monday evening. Bapu, who was also known by the name 'Parsi' Muhammed, was 82 and had been under treatment for respiratory problems. 

‘Swapnadanam’, the maiden directorial venture of K G George, had bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam apart from winning the Best Film Award of the Kerala Government. 

Apart from this psycho-drama, Bapu produced the Bollywood movie ‘Lubna’ (1982) and a few other films like ‘Lablaik’, ‘Rosa Ramzan’ and ‘Mumbai Local Train.’

He got the name ‘Parsi' Muhammed during his long period of stay in Mumbai where he saved the life of a man from a goon at a Parsi locality. Bapu had arrived in Mumbai in search of greener pastures and engaged in different professions. Over the years, he struck friendship with a number of leading politicians, film personalities, artists and underworld dons like Haji Mastan, Karim Lala and Varadaraja Mudaliar.

Eldest son of Purangil Muhammedali and Ayisha of Maranchery, Bapu studied Psychology at Madras Presidency College and was a founder member of the Indian Association of Psychologists. He also handled the first column that dwelt on psychological matters in a Malayalam publication.

Bapu owned several apartments in Mumbai and also developed friendship with talented youngsters who graduated from Film Institute, Pune. His friendship with figures like Aravindan and John Abraham led to the making of ‘Swapnadanam’. The film also gave a break to K G George.

Bapu was close to singing legends Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar. Rafi reportedly slashed his fee for singing the songs in ‘Lubna’ from Rs 50,000 to a mere Rs 10,00 on account of his association with the Keralite filmmaker.