Nishikant Kamat was a rare talent who left his mark on Hindi and Marathi cinema across three different roles, as a director, a writer and an actor. With films like ‘Drishyam’, ‘Madaari’, ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ and ‘Force’, he turned himself into a name audiences could trust. What set his work apart was its ability to wrap entertainment around the harder truths of society and the everyday struggles of the common man. And yet, for all his success, one wish remained unfulfilled until the very end: he longed to direct Amitabh Bachchan in front of his camera.
A Film Lover From Dadar
Nishikant Kamat was born on 17 June 1970 in Dadar, Maharashtra. His love for films ran deep from childhood, and Amitabh Bachchan was almost the definition of cinema for him, with the young Kamat watching nearly every film the superstar appeared in. During his school and college years his interest drifted toward theatre. Curiously, he had once shown up merely to watch a play being rehearsed, but it was right there that he was handed a chance to perform on stage. That moment marked the beginning of his theatre journey, and what started as a hobby slowly grew into a genuine passion.
An Editor at 22, a Director at 24
While working in theatre, he gradually found himself drawn to the craft of filmmaking. He began his professional career as an assistant on a Marathi serial for Doordarshan. It was during this time that he picked up editing, and at just 22 he had established himself as an editor. After a few years at the editing table, he was handed his first chance to direct at the age of 24. Later he stepped away from the world of television to focus on writing, spending several years penning scripts.
‘Dombivli Fast’ and the National Award
The year 2005 proved to be a turning point when he directed the Marathi film ‘Dombivli Fast’. The film was a major hit and also earned a National Award. That success placed him among the most talked-about directors in Marathi cinema. After making his name in Marathi films, he turned toward Hindi cinema. Released in 2008, ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ portrayed, with great sensitivity, how the 2006 Mumbai train blasts shook the lives of ordinary people. He went on to direct ‘Force’, ‘Drishyam’, ‘Rocky Handsome’ and ‘Madaari’. Among them, ‘Drishyam’ gave him fresh recognition across the country and became one of the most celebrated films of his career.
Just as Comfortable in Front of the Camera
Nishikant Kamat was not only a skilled director, he was a capable actor too. He took on roles in films like ‘404’, ‘Rocky Handsome’, ‘Daddy’, ‘Julie 2’ and ‘Bhavesh Joshi’. His turn as the villain in ‘Rocky Handsome’ was especially loved by audiences. Despite all the acclaim and success he gathered, one desire kept burning within him. He wanted to direct Amitabh Bachchan in one of his films, the very artist whose movies had taught him the nuances of cinema. But that dream never became reality. After a long battle with liver disease, Nishikant Kamat passed away on 17 August 2020. He was just 50 years old. Even so, his films and his body of work keep him alive in the hearts of audiences to this day.
