Kunal Deshmukh- Bollywood director of ‘Jannat’ fame

Kunal Deshmukh is a successful director from Bollywood best known for directing Jannat series, starring Emraan Hashmi. He also directed Tum Mile, Raja Natwarlal and Shiddat. He is best known for his association with Emraan Hashmi, giving him romantic hits. Most of his directorial ventures have been romantic tragedies, targeting youngsters and family audience. Kunal Deshmukh is also a restaurateur by profession.

Kunal was associated with Mukesh Bhatt camp during initial days

Kunal Deshmukh was born and brought up in Mumbai. His father was in merchant navy and his mother has briefly worked in theatre and television. After doing an advertising course at H.R. College, Mumbai, he moved to US where he did a short diploma course on filmmaking. He also explored the NY dining scene with his friend Rikhey, and later entered hospitality industry.

He then met Mohit Suri through a common friend Sahil while they were partying in Goa on a New Year, and later joined as assistant director of Vishesh Films. Sahil’s mom is Mukesh Bhatt’s sister and he was working as executive producer under his uncle then. Mohit Suri is his cousin, who was to debut through Zeher and he invited Kunal to join him.

Kunal worked as assistant director for the movies, Tumsa Nahin Dekha and Zeher. He also worked as Chief Assistant director for Mohit Suri movies, Kalyug and Woh Lamhe of the same production company before his first independent film as a film director and screenwriter.

Kunal Deshmukh’s debut flick is still his most memorable film

His maiden directorial venture was Jannat (2008) which was the first installment of the Jannat film series. The movie was a success worldwide, and he directed its sequel Jannat 2 in 2012. He wrote the script of both movies as well. He directed Emraan Hashmi in Tum Mile and Raja Natwarlal, and both were flops.

He opened a fine dining restaurant in 2009

In 2009 he entered hospitality industry and started a dining restaurant, Trikaya at Bavdhan, Pune. Since then, he is not active in film industry and has directed only 2 movies – Jannat 2 (2012) and Shiddat (2012). Shiddat is the only film where Emraan Hashmi was not a part of. The movie starred Sunny Kaushal, Radhika Madan, Mohit Raina and Diana Penty, and was premiered on Disney+ Hotstar. This tragic love story received favourable reviews from critics and audience.

Kunal Deshmukh and Sonali Rattan started dating ever since 2013, post the release of Jannat 2, and they got married in 2015. She has been assisting him right from his debut film.

Kunal Deshmukh – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He has assisted Mohit Suri in Mukesh Bhatt’s production house for a few movies, before he turned an independent director for the same company.  

2. He frequently worked with Emraan Hashmi, and broke his ‘serial kisser’ image by giving him the memorable romantic tragedy, Jannat. He also made its sequel with same actor. They together worked in 4 out of 5 films he directed, apart from working as an assistant director in a few of his movies.

3. Sonal Chauhan marked her big screen with Jannat, and Esha Gupta marked her big screen with Jannat 2.

4. His films include some of the memorable songs of K.K filmed on Emraan Hashmi, Zara Sa Dil Mein, Haan Tu Hain, Tujhe Sochta Hoon, Dil Ibadat, O Meri Jaan etc to name a few.

5. He moved out of Bhatt camp with the film, Raja Natwarlal as he wanted to explore new things. It was not possible to make a con film with Vishesh Films, but worked with his favourite hero once again. Despite getting good reviews, the movie was a flop.

6. His best works – Jannat, Jannat 2 and Shiddat are romantic films, best known for their surprising twists at the climax and tragic death of lead heroes. These films stay in audiences’ hearts forever.