Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi

Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi, (also spelled as Vishwanath Prasad Shahabadi), also known as B.P. Shahabadi, was an Indian film producer and businessperson known for producing Bhojpuri and Hindi films. He is known as the father of Bhojpuri cinema. He gained prominence by producing the first black-and-white Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1962. Shahabadi's notable works include Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya (Bhojpuri) and Hindi films like Rootha Na Karo, Ganga Dham, Geet Ganga, Sasural and Tulsi and Ghar Jamai. He passed away on July 13, 2000.

Biography
He was born on 24 January 1912, in Bandhuchhapra village in Arrah, Bihar. Shahabadi owned mica and coal mines, along with a liquor contract business. Shahabadi owned movie theaters in Dhanbad and Giridih. In 1938, he contributed to the freedom cause by purchasing six yards of khadi from Rajendra Prasad in a special auction for Rs 15,000.

In the 1960s, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, asked Bishwanath to make a Bhojpuri film. He produced the film Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (Mother Ganges, I will Offer You a Yellow Sari) in 1963, marking the first Bhojpuri language film, which was well received. The film was produced by Shahabadi under Nirmal Pictures and directed by Kundan Kumar.

He wrote the story for the 1980 film Ganga Dham, which did well at the box office. He worked on Geet Ganga Ke,which turned out to be a flop at box office. In 1983, he produced Hamaar Bhauji, which was a big hit. It was inspired by a famous South Indian film called "Bhabhi" (1957) by AVM Productions and did well at the box office.

Personal life
He was the youngest among the five children of father Uttamchand Shah. Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi was married to Swarnmani Devi. He died at the age of 89 on July 13, 2000.