AVM- The Oldest and Longest Film Production Company.

 

Today's generation may not be familiar with this name but one or two generations before it was a big name in the Hindi film audience. It was founded by  AV. Meiyappan (28 July 1907- 12 August 1979), set up the first studio in 1946, with a vision of transforming the world of cinema with top-class storytelling styles. Over the decades, each member of the AVM family has kept up with that legacy, adapting it to changing times.

 It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema. The first film  'Alli Arjuna' a Hindu mythology was released in 1935, produced under 'Saraswathi Sound Productions' and then under 'Pragathi Studios'. The first Hindi film was 'Bahar' released in 1951.

AVM has introduced numerous actors in Southern industries, some of the prominent actors are Sivaji Ganesan, Rajkumar, S. S. Rajendran, Vyjayanthimala, Kamal Haasan, and many more.In 2007, AVM produced Sivaji which at ₹ 95 crores, was said to be the most expensive film ever made in the history of the Indian film industry at that time. 

AVM made 21 films in Hindi, a few of these are Bahar(1951), Ladki(1953), Bhai Bhai91956), Chori Chori(1956), Miss Mary, Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke, and Bhabhi all released in 1957, Chhaya(1961), Mein Chup Rahungi(1962), Manmauji(1962), and Meharban(1967).

In 2014, the studio entered into the OTT platform with Tamil film Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum

Song of Bahar 1951

Song of Bhai Bhai 1956

Song of Chori Chori 1956

Song of Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke 1957

Song of Chhaya 1961

Song of Main Chup Rahungi 1962

Song of Manmauji 1962

The Rise and Fall of Iconic Studios and Banners of Bollywood

A Film Studio is an organisation and a place where artists, technicians, laboratory, sound studio, film sets, editing all present under one roof. Initially, cinema was run by the individuals but gradually studio system emerged in India. Prabhat Studio was the first Hindi film studio of India. It was established in 1929.
It made twenty-five films in its 15 years long journey. Those days all the artists were employed by the studios and were given salary. Some of the big names like V Shantaram, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Durga Khote were the product of this studio.

Prabhat Films Logo

Song of Hum Ek Hain 1946

In 1931 came up B N Sircar's New Studio in Calcutta. This studio made 165 films over a span of 25 years. K L Saigal and Bimal Roy were the product of this studio.  Another studio the Wadia Movietone was established in 1933 by the Wadia brothers J. B. H. Wadia and Homi Wadia, who were most known for Hunterwali (1935).  

Song of Jeevan Naiya 1936

In 1935 Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai started Bombay Talkies. They made 102 films and introduced stars like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

Rajkamal Kalamandir

Song of Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955),

V Shantaram who was with Prabhat studio started his own studio Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942.It defied the star system and concentrated more on music, drama and new techniques It made both Hindi and Marathi films. It was best known for Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959) and Pinjra (1972). In its heyday, Rajkamal was one of the most sophisticated studios of the country.

Song of Mother India 1957

In 1943 another iconic Studio started, it was Mehboob Studio which gave us Mother India. It had made hits such as Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Andaz (1949). Guru Dutt shot his iconic Kaagaz Ke Phool here, and actor-director Dev Anand shot many of his movies under the Navketan Films banner here, starting with Hum Dono and followed by Guide; he even maintained an office at the studio complex for 20 years.

Song of Munimji 1955

In 1943 came Filmistan Studio by Shasdhar Mukherjee which changed the face of Hindi Cinema. It was based in Goregaon, Mumbai. Spread over five acres, near Patkar College on SV road, the studio has seven shooting floors and a temple and garden for outdoor locations. Filmistan produced a number of successful hit movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including hits such as Shaheed (1948), Shabnam (1949) and Sargam (1950) and successful films such as Anarkali (1953) and Nagin (1954). Other notable films were Jagriti (1954), which won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and also Munimji (1955), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Paying Guest (1957).

Song of Barsaat 1949

In 1948 established R K Studio by Raj Kapoor. The studio occupied nearly two acres of land in the Mumbai suburb of Chembur. The studio's main building was constructed in the early 1950s. Raj Kapoor’s cottage was behind this building where he often organized small intimate meetings and functions.After the commercial failure of the studio's first venture, Aag (1948), it found success with Barsaat (1949). After this success, the company's logo was drawn to imitate the poster of Barsaat. Successful films such as Awaara (1951), Boot Polish, Jagte Raho and Shri 420 followed. Awaara was particularly successful, not just in India, but all over the world. Many R.K. Films movies featured Kapoor opposite actress Nargis.

On 16 September 2017, RK studio has caught fire and collapsed as of now. A massive fire broke out in the studio during the shoot of a television reality show and the studio was engulfed in fire.

The Kapoor family has decided to sell the iconic RK Films and Studios, which was built by legendary actor Raj Kapoor nearly 70 years ago, due to growing losses.

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Navketan Films is a film production house based in Mumbai, India. Started in 1949 by actor-director and producer Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, The first film under this banner was Afsar released in 1950 Since then 32 films were made under this banner. The last film was Chargesheet in 2011.

Song of Madhumati 1958

In 1953 came Bimal Roy Production. Under this banner, many great films were made. The first film under this banner was Do Beegha Zamin in 1953, Devdas (1955), Madhumati(1958), Sujata(1960), Bandhini(1963) and many more.

Song of Pyaasa 1957

In 1954 Guru Dutt Films was established. The first film Aar Paar was released in 1954. Guru Dutt not only produced, directed but also acted in the film. This was followed by the 1955 hit, Mr. & Mrs. '55, then C.I.D., Sailaab and in 1957, Pyaasa His 1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool was an intense disappointment.Later in 1960 came Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam  in 1962 were remarkable.

Song of  Naya Daur 1957

 In 1955, B R Chopra formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was Ek hi Raasta which was highly successful followed it up with Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit.His subsequent releases like Kanoon, Gumrah, Humraaz were major hits in the sixties.

In 1961 Nasir Hussain Films started. The musical hits like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne(1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) came under this banner.

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

YRF was founded by Yash Raj Chopra, a veteran of the Indian film industry, in 1970. Yash Chopra started out as an assistant to his elder brother, B.R.Chopra, and went on to direct five films for his brother's banner - B.R. Films. YRF controls almost every part of the value chain from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, music, home entertainment, marketing, design, digital, licensing, merchandising, talent management, brand partnerships, music studios and film studios - all in-house facilities. YRF has its own fully integrated studio that houses shooting stages and sound studios and is headquartered in Mumbai. After the death of founder Yash Chopra in 2012, his son Aditya Chopra took over as Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

Sohrab Modi - His films always carried Social or National Message

Sohrab Modi (born 2 November 1897) a great filmmaker of the 1930s 1940s.and 1950s. He launched Minerva Movietone in 1936. His early films at Minerva dealt with contemporary social issues such as alcoholism in Meetha Zaher (1938) and the right of Hindu women to divorce in Talaq(1938). His greatest film was Sikander(1941), which immortalized Prithviraj Kapoor playing the title role.

He started his career as a Parsi theatre actor with some experience in silent films. He earned quite a reputation as a Shakespearean actor, travelling throughout India with his brother's theatrical company and enjoying the tremendous sense of fulfilment every time the curtain came down and the audience applauded.

Sohrab Modi was also known for making Historical films. He made  Pukar (1939),it was based on Mughal Emperor Jehangir. The charisma of its stars, Chandra Mohan and Naseem Bano, and Kamaal Amrohi's oration, with its literary flourish and innate grace, ensured the film's popularity. Following Pukar came Sikander in 1941. The film, due to its underlying theme of nationalism at a time when India was still some years away from freedom, proved a hit among the masses, wherein it was later banned from some theatres.
Prithvi Vallabh was his next film released in 1943, it was based on K.M. Munshi's novel of the same name. The film's major highlights were the confrontations between Modi and Durga Khote, the haughty queen Mrinalvati, who tries to humiliate him publicly but then falls in love with him.
In 1945 he made Ek Din Ka Sultan. The film was a "minor historical" using a small incident from the time of Emperor Humayun's reign. Gangar cites that Ek Din Ka Sultan was hailed as a "well-directed" film with "some beautiful production values.
In 1950, when Sohrab Modi's Sheesh Mahal was being screened at Minerva Theatre in Bombay, the actor was present at the hall. Mr. Modi noticed a man sitting in the front row with closed eyes. Upset with such a reaction, he asked an attendant to let the viewer out and to return his money. The employee came back to say that the person was blind but had come just to hear Sohrab Modi's lines.

He made Jhansi Ki Rani in 1953. It was  India's first technicolour film, Modi had technicians flown in from Hollywood. Mehtab starred as the young queen of Jhansi who took up arms against the British during the Mutiny of 1857 with Modi playing the role of the Rajguru, her chief advisor. The film was notable for its authenticity in creating the right period and delineating historical events, its spectacular battle scenes and Mehtab's stirring performance though she was far too old for the role. 

Next year released his another film Mirza Ghalib. The film, based on the life of the great Indian poet who lived during the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last of the Mughal Emperors, won the President's Gold Medal for Best Feature Film of 1954. 

Modi's later films did not reach the heights of his earlier work though Kundan (1955), Nausherwan-e-Adil and Jailor (1958) had their moments. The last he made was Mera Ghar Mere Bachhe released in 1969 but he was acting here and there in very selected films till 1983. he last appeared in Kamal Amrohi's Razia Sultan.

Sohrab Modi received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1980. He was the tenth recipient of the award. He suffered from cancer of the bone marrow and succumbed to the disease on 28 January 1984.

Song of Sikandar 1941

Song of Jhansi Ki Rani (1953)

Song of Mirza Ghalib (1954)

Song of Mirza Ghalib (1954)

NAVKETAN FILMS-A Studio That Always Looked Forward

Dev Anand's Fans and Hindi-movie buffs have many reasons to be grateful for the production house Navketan, founded in 1949 by the Anand brothers Chetan and Dev Anand.In the 1950s most of the studios were making historical or  involved the village in some form or the other,Navketan was making Urban based movies.True to its name Navketan,which is a Sanskrit word that means Newness,the banner made films with new subjects and introduced new talent and technology.
The Kapoors are often referred to as the first family of Bollywood, but not many realize that the Anand brothers — Chetan, Dev and Vijay — formed a creative combination with an equally rich legacy.The Anands have, however, proved to be far more prolific, produc ing 35 motion pictures under Navketan as compared to the 20 films made by the Kapoor clan.
 It was under the Navketan roof that directors Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla and Vijay Anand, music directors S D Burman and R D Burman, cinematographer Fali Mistry and V Ratra did some of their best work. 
Unlike R K Film Studio or Mehboob Studio, Navketan does not possess a shooting floor. So all of his (Dev Anand’s) films were shot in Mehboob Studio.
 Dev Anand had bought the 19,000 sq ft Pali Hill property in the early ‘50s and established Anand Recording Studio in 1986 to mix and dub all the films produced by Navketan Films. When it was running, the studio specialised in voice overs, dubbing and surround mixes in all formats.It is perhaps the most technically advanced studio in the country, with great expertise in all fields.Over 10,000 films such as Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Ghajini (2008) have been mixed here.Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan come regularly to dub their films
 In 2009, it was decided that the studio will make way for a 12-storeyed swanky tower. At the time, Dev Anand wished for a penthouse to be built for him and his family in the plot 

                                                              AFSAR
The first film of Navketan Banner was AFSAR released in 1950,a romantic comedy film directed by Chetan Anand. It was produced by and starred Dev Anand. It co-starred Suraiya, who also recorded the playback singing for the film. The film was based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector. The film was an average in Box office.

Song from Afsar 1950

Baazi 

The second film of Navketan was Baazi released in 1951.The movie stars Dev Anand with Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. It is a crime thriller and had very popular music composed by S.D. Burman.This film was the game changer for Dev Anand and Navketan.It was very successful at the box office.Had it not been hit we would have not seen the great films of Guru Dutt and Navketan Films.

Song from Baazi 1951

Aandhiyan

It is a 1952 Hindi drama, written and directed by Chetan Anand. It starred Dev Anand, Nimmi and Kalpana Kartik in lead roles.The music of the film was from a classical musician Ali Akbar Khan.The background score of the film was also done by Ali Akbar Khan along with other Hindustani classical musicians Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pannalal Ghosh.

Song from Aandhiyan 1952

Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film was directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand, Dev's wife-to-be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film was written by Chetan himself, along with his wife Uma Anandand his other brother Vijay Anand. The film's music director was S. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi.The film was a super hit and it was the film that started outdoor shooting of Bollywood films.

Dev Anand's taxi in the movie was the British made Hillman Minx, a black car with the number 1111. Such became the popularity following the film, that the British made Hillman Minx became a vehicle of choice as a taxi in Bombay until the 1970s

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

House No. 44

House No. 44 is a 1955 Hindi film directed by M. K. Burman and produced by Dev Anand for his banner Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik in a lead role.^[1] The film is also noted for its popular songs with music by Sachin Dev Burman, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, including "Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se" and "Chup Hai Dharti Chup Hain Chand Sitaare", sung by Hemant Kumar

Song from House No. 44  1955

Funtoosh

Funtoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the ninth highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared a "Hit". The music of the movie was an instant hit and songs such as "Dukhi Mann Mere" were topping Binaca Geet Mala. Other hits were "Woh Dekhen To Unki Inayat", "Humne Kisi Pe Dore Dalne Hai", "Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" and "Denewala Jab bhi deta Poora Chappad Phad Ke Deta". The Songs cemented the bond of SD Burman, Dev Anand and Kishore Kumar.

Song from Funtoosh 1956

Nau Do Gyarah

It was a 1957 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand. This was his brother, Vijay Anand's directorial debut.^[ The film stars Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik, Madan Puri, Shashikala and Jeevan. The film's music is by S. D. Burman and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Kala Pani

Kala Pani was a 1958 Hindi movie, produced by Dev Anand for Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla.The film stars Dev Anand, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant, Bir Sakuja and Agha. The film's music is by Sachin Dev Burman, and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The movie won two Filmfare awards including Filmfare Best Actor Award and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Song from Kala Paani 1958

Kala Bazar

Another Super hit film from Navketan in 1960.Written and directed by Dev's younger brother Vijay Anand, the film starred Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand, Chetan Anand, Nanda, S.D. Burman composed the music, while the lyrics were penned by Shailendra.

It was noted for having several of Bollywood's stars in a cameo at the film premiere of Mother India (1957), and it was also the only film to star the three Anand brothers together. It became a Superhit at the box office.

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Hum Dono

Hum Dono was a 1961 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand and Navketan films.The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda, Sadhana The film is also known for its music by Jaidev and became a box office hit

Song from  Hum Dono 1961

Tere Ghar Ke Samne

It is a 1963 super hit film.The film, produced by Dev Anand and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand.The film's music is by S. D. Burman, while the lyrics have been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. 

Song from   Tere Ghar Ke Samne  1963

Guide

It is a 1965 romantic drama film starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It was directed by Vijay Anand, who contributed to the screenplay. The film is based on the novel The Guide, by R. K. Narayan.The movie proved memorable for its award-winning performances by the lead actors and memorable music by S. D. Burman. The film was a box office hit upon release and considered as the Top five Classic of Bollywood.

Song from Guide  1965

Jewel Thief

It is a 1967 Hindi spy thriller  film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala and Ashok Kumar in the lead roles.The film became a box office hit.The music for all the songs were composed by S. D. Burman and The lyrics for this film were by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Jewel Thief  1967

Prem Pujari

This was the first film directed by Dev Anand.It was released in 1970 with a great hype but it did not fare well in Box Office.The movie stars Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and a then-unknown Amrish Puri. It has several popular songs composed  by S. D. Burman.

Song from Prem Pujari 1970

Tere Mere Sapne

It was a 1971 film produced by Dev Anand, and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand for Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev, Vijay, Mumtaz and Hema Malini. The film's music is by S. D. Burman 

Song from Tere Mere Sapne 1971

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

It was a 1971 Indian film once again  directed by Dev Anand starring himself, Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman. The film was a hit^[1] and a star-making vehicle for Zeenat Aman, who played a westernized hippie, and won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. It aimed to have an anti-drug message,hippie Culture and also depicts some problems associated with Westernization such as divorce.

Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971

Shareef Budmaash

It was a 1973 Bollywood action thriller film directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha and Ajit in pivotal roles.The film was an average at the Box Office.

Song from  Shareef Budmaash 1973

Heera Panna

It was a 1973 Hindi film. Written, produced and directed by Dev Anand for Navketan films, the film stars Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman, Raakhee, Rehman, Jeevan, A.K. Hangal, Paintal and Dheeraj Kumar. The film's music was composed by R. D. Burman. 

 

Song from Heera Panna 1973

Des Pardes

It was  a 1978 Hindi film, produced and directed by Dev Anand. This family drama stars Dev Anandand Tina Munim (in her debut film), with Ajit Khan, Pran, Amjad Khan, Shreeram Lagoo, Tom Alter, Bindu, Prem Chopra, A. K. Hangal, Sujit Kumar, Mehmoodand Paintal in the supporting cast. For the first time, Dev Anand chose comparatively new music director Rajesh Roshan for this film, who did full justice to his selection as most of the songs became quite popular. 

Song from Des Pardes 1978