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Peter Pereira Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1929

Age93 (at time of death)

BirthplaceUttan, Thane district, Maharashtra

ProfessionCinematographer, Special Effects Creator & Supervisor

NationalityIndian

FamilyTwo nephews (Lanhert Pereira, Carlton Dmello)

Peter Pereira Biography

Peter Pereira was an Indian cinematographer and special effects creator whose work across decades of Hindi cinema included the memorable invisibility and "

Early life and background

Peter Pereira was born in 1929 and raised in Vasai in what is now Palghar district, Maharashtra. His family environment encouraged an early interest in images and photography: his father was passionate about photography, and that hobby rubbed off on Peter from a young age. As a youth he owned a small camera and spent considerable time taking photographs, which laid the groundwork for his later career in motion pictures.

He began his film career as an apprentice at Basant Studios in Chembur, a facility associated with filmmaker Homi Wadia. In that early period he performed a variety of practical studio tasks while learning the basics of filmmaking. To develop skills in trick photography and special effects, Peter assisted the specialist Babubhai Mistry and was paid a monthly salary of Rs 50 during his apprenticeship.

Career

Peter's work spanned both cinematography and special-effects supervision. He made his debut as a cinematographer on the 1963 film Parasmani, and his first credited work in special effects was on Sachaa Jhutha (1970). Over the following decades he contributed to the visual craft of many Hindi films, working in camera and electrical departments on productions such as New Delhi (1956), The Train (1970), Bharam Veer (1977), and Border (1997).

He became widely known for his special-effects work on the 1987 blockbuster Mr. India, where he created the sequences that made the protagonist appear and disappear. For that film he used classic masking methods as well as stop-motion techniques to capture supernatural details such as footprints. Peter also handled effects on several other fantasy and mainstream films, including Roti (1974), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Prem Rog (1982), Sheshnaag (1990), and Ajooba (1991).

As a cinematographer he shot a number of high-profile films, including several featuring Amitabh Bachchan: Yaarana (1981), Coolie (1983), Mard (1985), Shahenshah (1988), Toofan (1989), and Lal Baadshah (1999). His credited final cinematography work was on Bhaggmati (2005).

Public profile

Peter's career included on-screen visibility as well: he made a special appearance in the popular 1977 film Amar Akbar Anthony. Throughout interviews he spoke fondly of comedy and cited Charlie Chaplin as a major influence. He also described how seeing older films such as The Corsican Brothers (1941) inspired him to pursue the craft of cinematography.

In later years Peter recounted collaborative moments on sets, describing his working relationship with directors and other cinematographers. For Mr. India he recalled collaborating with director Shekhar Kapur and noted that he worked to fulfill the director's ideas; he was not the principal cameraman on that picture, a role filled by Baba Azmi.

Later years and death

In the early 2000s Peter developed glaucoma, a progressive disease that led to loss of vision. He lived in Juhu, Mumbai from 1970 onward while pursuing professional opportunities and spent his final years in that neighborhood. A caretaker arranged by a nephew in the United States supported him during his last days.

Peter Pereira died on 10 January 2023 at his residence in Juhu, Mumbai, at the age of 93. He was buried the same day at Our Lady of Grace Cathedral Papdy in Vasai, Maharashtra. Following his death, members of the film community remembered him for his pioneering contributions to cinematography and special effects; one notable tribute described him as a pioneer and praised his generosity and professionalism.

Latest updates

Peter's work was included in the 2022 documentary Chhayaankan, directed by Hemant Chaturvedi, which highlighted the contributions of 14 cinematographers active in Hindi cinema from the 1950s through the 2000s. That film represents one of the most recent public acknowledgments of his career and craft.
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Recent Work

Chhayaankan

Documentary directed by Hemant Chaturvedi that showcased the contributions of 14 cinematographers; Peter appeared in 2022.

2022
Bhaggmati

Last credited work as a cinematographer.

2005
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted as cinematographer on Parasmani (1963).
  2. Created the special effects for the disappearing sequences in Mr. India (1987).
  3. Worked as cinematographer on several Amitabh Bachchan films including Yaarana, Coolie, Mard and Shahenshah.
  4. Assisted special effects specialist Babubhai Mistry early in his career.
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Peter Pereira born?

1929

What is Peter Pereira known for?

Cinematographer, Special Effects Creator & Supervisor