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Archive for the ‘Profiles’ Category

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 by admin
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Munawwar Sultana

Munawwar Sultana (not to be confused with Pakistani playback singer from the same time period) was a Bollywood actress who was popular in the late 40s. She started her career probably around early 40′s under the filmi name of Asha in films like Khazanchi (1941). She first gained some recognition in Pehli Nazar (1945), where ...

. Actors & Actresses

Sunday, September 26th, 2010 by admin
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Shakila

At a filmi function, the evergreen Dev Anand politely greeted a lady and then went right back to socializing with others. The lady approached him, smiled warmly and this time introduced herself as Shakila, his leading lady in his famous film, CID. Dev Anand, of course, couldn’t believe his eyes. “You have changed so much!” ...

. Actors & Actresses

Saturday, September 18th, 2010 by admin
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Swaranlata (1924 – 2008)

Swaranlata, known to the world as the ‘tragedy queen’ of her time, was born into a Syal family in Rawalpindi as the youngest of many siblings. She lost her mother at the time of birth and was brought up by her eldest brother, who subsequently also gave her permission to start her acting career. She ...

. . Actors & Actresses . Actors & Actresses

Friday, September 17th, 2010 by admin
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Madan Theatres

Giant distribution corporation and studio which dominated India’s silent cinema. Built by Jamshedji Framji Madan (1856-1923) into one of the country’s premier Parsee theatre companies. J.F. Madan came from a middle- class Bombay Parsee family of theatre enthusiasts: his brother Khurshedji was a partner in the Original Victoria Theatrical Club while Jamshedji and another brother, ...

Production Companies

Friday, September 17th, 2010 by admin
1

R.G. Torney (1890 – 1960)

Ramchandra Gopal Torney – Hindi and Marathi director; born in Sukulwadi and educated in Malwan, coastal Maharashtra. Employed by Greaves Cotton Electrical in Bombay (1896); then transferred as a branch manager to Karachi. Resigned and returned to Bombay (1920). He is often cited as Dada Saheb Phalke’s rival for having apparently made the feature Pundalik ...

. Producers & Directors

Friday, September 17th, 2010 by admin
2

Hiralal Sen (1866 – 1917)

Bengali film pioneer born in Bakjuri village, Manikganj (now Bangladesh). India’s first film-maker with Bhatavdekar. The son of a lawyer, he started as photographer and achieved considerable renown. Almost definitely saw first-ever film show, at Star Theatres, featuring Prof. Stevenson’s shorts on double-bill with Star’s stage hit, The Flower of Persia (1898). His first film, ...

. Producers & Directors

Friday, September 17th, 2010 by admin
2

H.S. Bhatavdekar

Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar Aka Save Dada. Almost certainly the first Indian film-maker. Professional still photographer often portrayed as an amateur, but, in fact, a businessman trading in cameras and film equipment on a nationwide basis. Made several shorts, including one on a wrestling match and one on the antics of monkeys. Best-known footage shows the ...

Producers & Directors

Friday, September 17th, 2010 by admin
1

Dada Saheb Phalke (1870 – 1944)

May 13th, 1913. The first Indian made silent film,`Raja Harishchandra’ is about to be released at the Coronation Theatre in Girgaum,Bombay. The stage show has finished its act. The live band has struck up a tune and now the screen flickers alive. For the next half hour; cinemagic envelops the audience. The tale of the ...

. Producers & Directors

Monday, September 6th, 2010 by admin
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Kishore Sahu (1915 – 1980)

Hindi actor, writer, director and producer born in Durg, MP. Son of the Raja of Raigarh’s chief minister. Degree in literature from the University of Nagpur (1937). Wrote many short stories. Started as actor in Bombay Talkies playing ineffectual lover opposite Devika Rani in Jeevan Prabhat (1937) . Prominent early instance of a total author: ...

. Actors & Actresses . Producers & Directors

Monday, September 6th, 2010 by admin
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Sitara Devi (B. 1919)

Actress born in Calcutta. One of the foremost exponents of classical Kathak dance, with notable appearances as a dancer in early Mehboob films. Daughter of Sukhdev Maharaj of Benares, former court musician at Nepal, she was trained by her father and by Achan Maharaj at the palace of the Rajah of Mymensingh and later by ...

. Actors & Actresses

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