Mumbai (Gurpreet Singh) – The Indian film industry mourns the loss of veteran filmmaker MM Baig, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Baig, who was in his 70s, was best known as the director of the 1994 film Chhoti Bahu and as the father of Baby Guddu (Shahinda Baig), one of the most prominent child stars of the 1980s.
The tragic discovery was made after neighbors alerted the police regarding a foul odor emanating from Baig’s home. Local authorities entered the premises to find the filmmaker’s body, which was subsequently sent to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Reports suggest that he had been unwell for a significant period and had not been seen for several days.
A Legacy of Mentorship and Cinema
MM Baig began his cinematic journey as an assistant to legendary filmmakers such as J Om Prakash, Vimal Kumar, and Rakesh Roshan. He contributed to several classic hits, including:
- Aadmi Khilona Hai
- Kala Bazaar
- Kishen Kanhaiya
- Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii
Beyond his directorial work on Chhoti Bahu and the unreleased Maasoom Gawah, Baig was highly regarded for his technical expertise. He played a pivotal role in the early career of Hrithik Roshan, mentoring the superstar in diction, voice modulation, and dialogue delivery long before his debut in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.
Family Connections to Bollywood
His daughter, Baby Guddu, was a staple of Hindi cinema in the 80s, appearing alongside icons like Rajesh Khanna in Aakhir Kyon?, Sridevi in Nagina, and Jeetendra in Aulad. Publicist Hanif Zaveri described Baig as a “loving man” whose contributions to the industry, both on and off-screen, left a lasting impact on those he mentored.
