Showing posts with label v shantaram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label v shantaram. Show all posts

Saturday 3 March 2018

The Great Architects Of Golden Era Of Bollywood


The 50s and 60s was the Golden Period of Bollywood. It was the period that saw the Hindi cinema with melodious socials and melodramas with melodious & immortal songs.The films made during that time not only gave entertainment but also social & moral message..this period saw the production of some of India’s most critically acclaimed directors, actors and actresses,Music Directors,Lyricist and films of all time.  

V SHANTARAM -

 In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction.He left Prabhat co. in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kalamandir" in Mumbai. In time, "Rajkamal" became one of the most sophisticated studios of the country. Through his 66-year-old career, was known to use cinema as an instrument to effect social change, advocate humanism and expose bigotry and injustice. He was also interested in music and actively participated in the music creation and production of his films. He was also remembered to have ‘ghost-written’ music for many of his music directors.He is most known for films such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959),
BIMAL ROY

 He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as Do Bigha ZaminParineeta, MadhumatiSujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Golden Era of Hindi cinema.He was a filmmaker of great and in-depth understanding of human strengths and weaknesses.He introduced the genius composer Salil Chowdhury to Hindi Cinema with Do Beegha Zameen , but also utilised his writing skills in at least three films. Do Beegha was based on a story Rikshawala written by him back in the ’40s. Parakh was also based on his story and Salil da wrote the screenplay of Prem Patra .

MEHBOOB KHAN -

 The maker of bold saga Aurat (1940),Anmol Ghadi (1946), the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling musical Aan (1951) and the grand social epic Mother India (1957).He set up his production company – Mehboob Productions, and later a film studio – Mehboob Studios in Bandra, Mumbai in 1954.

K ASIF -

 A film directorfilm producer and screenwriter who is famous for his work on the Hindi epic motion picture, Mughal-e-Azam (1960)..His directorial debut, Phool (1945), did very well at the box-office due to the casting of and portrayals by famous actors and actresses of the time such as Prithviraj KapoorDurga Khote and Suraiya. He became a successful director due to his perfectionism in weaving his imagination into an art form and gave birth to Mughal-e-Azam, a legendary film in the Indian Film Industry. He died at age 48. 

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor  is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of cinema.[5] He was the winner of several accolades including 3 National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards in India He was a two-time nominee for the Palme d'Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954).He established R K Studio in 1948  and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with Aag starring himself, He went on to produce and star in several hit films made under his R. K. Banner including Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

B R CHOPRA -

He was one of the architects of golden era,Best known for making Hindi films like Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967).His first film as a director, Afsana, was released in 1951 and featured Ashok Kumar in a double role – the film was a hit and established his name in Bollywood. Chopra made Chandni Chowk, with Meena Kumari as a lead, in 1954. In 1955, B.R. formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was the highly successful Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit. He was instrumental in developing the career of singer Mahendra Kapoor

GURU DUTT -

 He was an Indian film directorproducer and actor. He made 1950s and 1960s classics such as Baazi, PyaasaKaagaz Ke PhoolSahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Chaudhvin Ka Chand. In particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are now included among the greatest films of all time, both by Time magazine's "All-TIME" 100 best movies.His first film as Director, Navketan's Baazi, was released in 1951..He also produced Aar Paar 1954 and C I D in 1956.

VIJAY ANAND-

 Also known as Goldie Anand, was a filmmakerproducerscreenwritereditor and actor, who is known for acclaimed films such as Guide (1965) and Johny Mera Naam (1970). He made most of his films for the in-house banner Navketan Films.He was also the director of Teesri Manzil(1966).He gave us the films like  Nau Do Gyarah(1957) Kala Bazar (1960),Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963),Jewel Thief (1967),Tere Mere Sapne (1971).

Actors of Golden Era
The three most popular male Indian actors of the 1950s and 1960s were Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand, each with their own unique acting style.Other actors were Ashok Kumar. Balraj Sahni,Guru Dutt,Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar,Johny Walker and Mehmood while successful actresses included  NargisSuraiyaVyjayanthimalaMeena KumariNutanMadhubalaSadhanaWaheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha.

Music Directors Of Golden Era
Naushd,S D Burman,Shankar Jaikishan,O P Nayyar.Madan Mohan,C Ramchandra.Hemant Kumar and Roshan were few of the great composer of that time.

Singers of Golden Era
Lata,Geeta Dutt,Asha Bhosle,Suriya among the female Rafi,Talat Manna De Mukesh and Kishore Kumar were among the male singers.

Friday 18 November 2016

Remembering V SHANTARAM on his 115th Birth Anniversary


V. Shantaram, renowned Indian producer-director-actor, most known for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) and Navrang (1959), to the path breaking Duniya Na Mane (1937) and Pinjara (1973).
He was born on 18 th November 1901 in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur.He started his film career doing odd jobs in Maharashtra Film Co. owned by Baburao Painter at Kolhapur.He went on to debut as an actor in the silent film, Surekha Haran in 1921.
He directed his first film, "Netaji Pulkar" in 1927, and in 1929, founded the Prabhat Film Company along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which he left in 1942 and to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai, in time 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.
The highest accolade of the Indian film industry, for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was conferred on him in 1985. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award in 1992.
He married thrice; His first marriage was with Vimla, his second marriage was to the actress Jayashree and the third marriage was with Actress and Dancer Sandhya  who was his co-star in Do Aankhen Barah Haath as well the heroine of his films like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje and Navrang.
V.Shantaram was truly a "complete" filmmaker. In an illustrious career spanning well over seven decades, from silent films to talkies, from B&W to Technicolor, cinemascope and stereophonic sound, he produced 92 feature films, directed 55 films and acted in 25 films. Every film he made dealt with the social, economic and political problems of a society struggling under colonial rule
Apart from his own multi-faceted activities as a Producer, Director, Actor, Distributor, Exhibitor, and Studio Owner, he was closely associated with various film industry welfare and trade organisations and thus helped to lay a sound foundation for the systematic growth of the Indian Film Industry. He was also responsible for establishing in scientific, methodical and systematic manner the present Films Division of the Government of India after independence, which today has grown to large proportions.
Shantaram died on 30 October 1990 in Mumbai.A postage stamp, bearing his face, was released by India Post to honour him on 17 November 2001.

Songs From Shantaram's Films
Aadha Hai Chandrama from Navrang 1959


Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan from Navrang 1959


Nain Se Nain from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje

 Ae Maalik Tere Bande Hum from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje

Song from  GEET GAYA PATHARON NE 1964 




Pankh hote to udh aati re from Sehra






Tuesday 20 September 2016

PRABHAT STUDIO


From the late 1920s to the mid-1950s, Indian movie studios proved the impossible: that social commitment, artistic creativity and commercial viability could coexist.Those days
every aspect of fim making was controled by the studios included the cinema halls.The Indian studios functioned in a manner similar to Hollywood: the bosses ran the show, while actors were retained on a payroll. Besides honing the talents of early stars (KL Saigal, Devika Rani, Ashok Kumar,Dev Anand,Guru Dutt) and filmmakers (Debaki Bose, V Shantaram, Bimal Roy),
One such Studio was Prabhat Studio which was one of the Three Big Names,The Bombay Talkies of Bombay,New Theatre of Calcutta and Prabhat Studio of Pune.

 The noted film director V. Shantaram, along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni.formed Prabhat Film Company on 1st June 1929 at Kolhapur Maharashtra with an initial investment amount of Rs 15,000.


In fact V Shantaram who was the the right hand man of Baburao Pendharkar who was already running a film company since 1920,The Maharashtra Film Company where Damle and Fatehlal were partners.

The company popularly known as PRABHAT STUDIO moved to Pune in 1933, where it established its own studio and produced a total of 45 films in both Marathi and Hindi over 27 years, including are Kunku (Duniya Na Mane in Hindi),Swarajyacha Toran also called Udaykal, based on Shivaji’s life, Dharmatma on life of saint EknathSant Tukaram, based on the saint-poet and social reformer, Shejari also called Padosi, on communal harmony, Manoos (aka Aadmi) about alcoholism and Amar Jyoti about woman’s emancipation. 

Initially during the Silent Era Prabhat Films soon made a name for itself with silent films and produced six films, most of them directed by the tireless V. Shantaram.He was of the opinion that only Silent Films are creative ,the Talkie Movie was a transient phase, and the silent films were the real artistic area. But soon the company realized its mistake, and joined the talkie era with Ayodhyecha Raja (The King of Ayodhya) in Marathi(1932), also starring Durga Khote, which was the first film of Marathi Cinema, and later made under the name Ayodhya Ka Raja in Hindi. The film is based on Raja Harishchandra's story. 
In 1933 the company shifted their Head Quarter to Poona being nearer to Bombay,they built a well equiped Studio which was most modern and the largest in Asia.
Their art department, which had a reputation for set construction and the use of plaster and draperies, was regarded as the finest in the country. Films like Ayodhyache Raja/Ayodhya ka Raja(Marathi/Hindi 1932) on the truth-loving King Harishchandra, 

Amrit Manthan (1934) once again a bilingual,made in Marathi and Hindi.The Hindi version ,the first Hindi film to celebrate 'Silver Jubilee'.  The story was based on abolishing the practice of human as well as animal sacrifice to any Goddess. Huge sets and costumes were notable in this film.Chandramohan got a break in the Hindi version of this film and became a famous actor.

In 1935 Dharmatma  was released both in Marathi & Hindi. Master Krishnarao, music director from Gandharva's drama company made his entry in the film industry as music director.Melodious tunes and enchanting voice of Balgandharva are the highlights of the film.

Amar Jyoti 1936,was made in Hindi, the proto-feminist tale of a woman turning into a pirate and declaring war on the state when she is denied legal custody of her son, made Prabhat one of the finest producers in the country.The first Prabhat film to have play-back system.T he song 'Suno Suno Banke Prani' became hit and thousands of its records were sold.


The biopic, title Sant Tukaram, in 1936, made by V. Damle and S. Fattelal of Prabhat Film Company and starring Vishnupant Pagnis as the lead, and released on 12 December 1936 at Central Cinema in Mumbai. The film was not only a big hit but also had won an award at the 5th Venice International Film Festival in 1937


In 1937 Kunku (Marathi) / Duniya Na Mane (Hindi) released following the huge success of Sant Tukaram.


1938 another film Gopalkrishna (Marathi &  Hind)  was released It was not directed by V Shantaram, V.Damle & S.Fatelal were the joint director of this movie.Technically Gopalkrishna is distinguished by the use of stylish sets, costumes and classically-oriented but lively music.




Manoos (Marathi) / Aadmi (Hindi) 1939 Yet another brilliant "problem" film. This brings together a simple-minded policeman and an innocent prostitute. The former tries to restore to the later , a life of decency by marrying her but the woman is still haunted by moral legacy of her past. The film was famous for a multi-lingual song "Kashala Udyachi Baat"


Sant Gyaneshwar (Marathi & Hindi) 1940 once again directed by V.Damle & S.Fatelal . It was the first Indian film screened in USA. "American Cinematograph" carried a review in its October,1941 issue and praised trick photography of the film.

Shejari (Marathi) / Padosi (Hindi) 1941,The film narrates the unfortunate scism that separates a Hindu from Muslim neighbour and a lifelong friend.Much of the film's background related to dam and the photographic exploitation of the subject ending in the tragic dam-burst is marked by unique technical skill.The romantic interludes in the film are made all the more colourful by a climatic torch dance.


In 1942 V Shantaram left Prabhat Films  to form his own "Rajkamal Kalamandir" studios, Damle Mama fell ill, the company encountered hard times. Its last major film was Ram Shastri in 1944. Noted director, Guru Dutt started his career as a choreographer, under a three-year contract with the Prabhat Film Company in Pune in 1944.

The company was closed in the early 50's and property auctioned away in 1952.Film & Te The company formally closed on 13 October 1953.
Today, the Film and Television Institute of India occupies the land that once belonged to the studio in Pune. It’s fitting that a filmmaking school has come up on the spot where one of the best nurseries of talent  once stood.
!933 to 1942 was the golden Phase for Prabhat Films during that period they created lots of Hit Films.
RARE SONGS and CLIPPINGS of Prabhat Films


Aadmi 1938 : Kis Liye Kal Ki Baat : Singer & Actress , Shanta Hublikar : Md Master Krishna Rao


Kashala Udyachi Baat - Master Krishnarao - MANOOS - Shahu Modak, Shanta Hublikar

Song from Aadmi 1938


Song from Amar jyoti 1936



                               Sant Tukaram (1936) Music clip


Ek Tatva Naam - Sant Dnyaneshwar 

Ek Tha Raja | Duniya Na Mane 1937 | Shanta Apte .