MUMBAI:Indian film director and screenwriter B R Ishara, famed for movies like ‘Chetna’ and ‘Ek Nazar’, passed away on 24 July after suffering from tuberculosis. He had suffered a paralytic stroke last year and was undergoing physiotherapy for the same. At the time of his death, he was undergoing treatment for TB at a criticare hospital in Juhu.

B R Ishara started a trend of bold themes in Hindi cinema and is also known to be the first director to have started the tradition of shooting in bungalows. He was responsible for introducing stars like Parveen Babi and Bappi Lahiri to the industry.

After news of his death reached Amitabh Bachchan who starred in Ek Nazar, Amitabh tweeted “BR Ishara – BabuDa, took a departure from conventional style of film making in early 70s – novel and appreciated by all… He directed and made ‘Ek Nazar’ with Jaya and me before our marriage… ”. The writer-director is survived by his actress wife Rehana Sultan.