Mohan Sinha (2 December 1903–1984) was an Indian film director and producer. He directed over 30 films in his career, including Anuradha (1940), Omar Khaiyyam and 1857 (both 1946). He is credited with giving Madhubala her screen name and served as a director in five of her films.
His son-in-law was the writer Pratap A. Rana, and grand-daughter, Vidya Sinha, was a notable actress during the 1970s.
Career
Sinha was the owner of the production house Murari Pictures. He directed over 30 films in his career and launched the careers of actors Madan Puri and Jeevan. One of his earliest works include Anuradha (1940), which he also wrote. In 1946, he directed and produced the period dramas Omar Khaiyyam and 1857; both films were among the highest-grossing productions of the year. The former marked one of the final screen appearances of K. L. Saigal.
Contrary to the rumors that Devika Rani gave Madhubala her screen name, it was Sinha who introduced Mumtaz—then a child actress—as "Madhubala" in November 1946. Sinha went on to direct five films featuring Madhubala as lead actress: Chittor Vijay, Dil Ki Rani, Mere Bhagwan, Khubsurat Duniya (all four in 1947) and Imtihaan (1949).
12Dhar, Parthiv; Bhattacharjee, Anirudha (27 October 2022). Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography, Winner of the National Award for Best Book on Cinema, 2022. Harper Collins. p.219. ISBN978-93-5629-172-0. "Although it is popularly believed that Devika Rani had a hand in rechristening Mumtaz as Madhubala, it was Mohan Sinha, her director for Chittor Vijay (1947), Dil Ki Rani (1947) and a few other films, to whom posterity should be indebted. Incidentally, Mohan Sinha was the maternal grandfather of Vidya Sinha, a successful actress of the mid-1970s."
