V. Shantaram
Encyclopedia
V. Shantaram (18 November 1901 – 30 October 1990) is a renowned India
n filmmaker, film producer
and actor
. He is 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), Navrang (1959), Duniya Na Mane
(1937), Pinjra
(1972), Chani
, Iye Marathiche Nagari and Zunj.
He directed his first film, "Netaji Palkar" in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company
along with V.G. 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 in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai
. In time, 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.
He was praised by Charlie Chaplin
for his Marathi film Manoos.Charlie Chaplin
reportedly liked the film very much.
) into a reputed Jain family. During his lifetime he was honoured with Jain Samaj Ratna award given to outstanding Jains.
Shantaram, fondly known as Annasaheb, had an illustrious career as a filmmaker for almost six decades. He was one of the early filmmakers to realize the efficacy of the film medium as an instrument of social change and used it successfully to advocate humanism on one hand and expose bigotry and injustice on the other. V. Shantaram had a very keen interest in music. It is said that he "ghost wrote" music for many of his music directors, and took a very active part in the creation of music. Some of his songs had to rehearsed several times before which they were approved by V. Shantaram.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award
, was conferred on him in 1985.He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
in 1992.
His autobiography Shantaram was published in Hindi and Marathi.
Shantaram died on 30 October 1990 in Mumbai
. The V. Shantaram Award was consitituted by Central Government and Maharashtra State Government. The V. Shantaram Motion Picture Scientific Research and Cultural Foundation, established in 1993, offers various awards to film makers. The award is presented annually on 18 November.
and Tejasri
His third wife, actress Sandhya
, was his co-star in Do Aankhen Barah Haath
as well the heroine of his films like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, Navrang, Jal Bin Machli Nrutya Bin Beejli, and Sehra. His other children are Prabhat Kumar, Sarojini, Charushila and Madhura, who is married to Pandit Jasraj
is the mother of Durga Jasraj
.
He introduced Rajshree
and Jeetendra
in the 1964 film Geet Gaya Patharon Ne
. He also introduced his niece Ranjana Deshmukh
into the marathi film industry through Chandanachi Choli Ang Aang, directed by Kiran Shantaram in 1975. Ranjana dominated the Marathi silver screen in 70s and 80s.He used to live at Panhala
.His son has maintained his house and converted it in a hotel Valley View.
As Director
As Producer
Source: IMDB
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n filmmaker, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is most known for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani
Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani
Dr. Kotnis ki Amar Kahani is a 1946 Indian film made in Hindi as well as English and directed by V. Shantaram. The English version was titled The Journey of Dr. Kotnis.Both the versions starred V. Shantaram in the title role of Dr...
(1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is a 1955 Indian film directed by V. Shantaram. It stars Shantaram's wife Sandhya and dancer Gopi Krishna. One of the earlier Technicolor films made in India, the film won the 1956 Filmfare Best Movie Award.-Cast:...
(1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath
Do Aankhen Barah Haath
Do Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it...
(1957), Navrang (1959), Duniya Na Mane
Duniya Na Mane
Duniya Na Mane is a 1937 Hindi social classic directed by V. Shantaram, and based on the Marathi novel, "Na Patnari Goshta” by Narayan Hari Apte, who also wrote film’s screenplay...
(1937), Pinjra
Pinjra (film)
Pinjra , is a Marathi film made in 1972. The film is directed by V. Shantaram. In 1973 this film was remade in Hindi.-Plot Summary:Pinjra is the tragic story of a school teacher and a dancer. The 'cage' here is a metaphor for life. The dancer dies as she falls for the teacher & is unable to save him...
(1972), Chani
Chani
Chani is a fictional character featured in Frank Herbert's novels Dune and Dune Messiah . Known mainly as the Fremen wife and legal concubine of protagonist Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides, Chani is the daughter of Imperial Planetologist Liet-Kynes and his Fremen wife Faroula, and later the mother of...
, Iye Marathiche Nagari and Zunj.
He directed his first film, "Netaji Palkar" in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company
Prabhat Film Company
Prabhat Film Company popularly known as Prabhat Films was an Indian film production company and film studios, formed in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India in 1929, towards the end of silent films' era, by the noted film director V. Shantaram, along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B...
along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja
Ayodhyecha Raja
Ayodhyecha Raja was the first Marathi talkie released in 1932, directed by Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre...
, the first Marathi language
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
film in 1932 under his direction. He left Prabhat in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. In time, 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.
He was praised by Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
for his Marathi film Manoos.Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
reportedly liked the film very much.
Early life
Shantaram was born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre on 18 November 1901 in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur (in present day MaharashtraMaharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
) into a reputed Jain family. During his lifetime he was honoured with Jain Samaj Ratna award given to outstanding Jains.
Career
V. Shantaram 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.Shantaram, fondly known as Annasaheb, had an illustrious career as a filmmaker for almost six decades. He was one of the early filmmakers to realize the efficacy of the film medium as an instrument of social change and used it successfully to advocate humanism on one hand and expose bigotry and injustice on the other. V. Shantaram had a very keen interest in music. It is said that he "ghost wrote" music for many of his music directors, and took a very active part in the creation of music. Some of his songs had to rehearsed several times before which they were approved by V. Shantaram.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
, was conferred on him in 1985.He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1992.
His autobiography Shantaram was published in Hindi and Marathi.
Shantaram died on 30 October 1990 in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. The V. Shantaram Award was consitituted by Central Government and Maharashtra State Government. The V. Shantaram Motion Picture Scientific Research and Cultural Foundation, established in 1993, offers various awards to film makers. The award is presented annually on 18 November.
Personal life
Shantaram married thrice. His first marriage was to Vimla. He then married actress Jayashree, with whom he had three children-Marathi film director Kiran Chandra, actress RajshreeRajshree
Rajshree is an Indian actress. She was known for her classic beauty, acting and dancing capabilities.-Personal life:Rajshree is the daughter of acclaimed Indian film maker V. Shantaram and actress Jayshree, second wife of V. Shantaram...
and Tejasri
His third wife, actress Sandhya
Sandhya Shantaram
Sandhya Shantaram is an Indian actress. She is best known for her appearances in various Hindi and Marathi films directed by her husband V. Shantaram.-Career:...
, was his co-star in Do Aankhen Barah Haath
Do Aankhen Barah Haath
Do Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it...
as well the heroine of his films like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, Navrang, Jal Bin Machli Nrutya Bin Beejli, and Sehra. His other children are Prabhat Kumar, Sarojini, Charushila and Madhura, who is married to Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj is an Indian classical vocalist. He is the foremost exponent of the Mewati Gharana of Hindustani classical music.-Early life:Jasraj was born in Hisar, Haryana in an orthodox brahmin family to Pandit Motiramji, a classical exponent. His family is well known for singing in the Mewati...
is the mother of Durga Jasraj
Durga Jasraj
Durga Jasraj is an Indian television presenter and actress. She co-founded "Art and Artistes' Pvt. Ltd. ", an entertainment and event management company along with Vikram Shankar in 1999, which promotes classical music and subsequently co-founded Indian Music Academy in 2006.-Early life:Durga...
.
He introduced Rajshree
Rajshree
Rajshree is an Indian actress. She was known for her classic beauty, acting and dancing capabilities.-Personal life:Rajshree is the daughter of acclaimed Indian film maker V. Shantaram and actress Jayshree, second wife of V. Shantaram...
and Jeetendra
Jeetendra
Jeetendra born Ravi Kapoor is an Indian actor and television producer...
in the 1964 film Geet Gaya Patharon Ne
Geet Gaya Patharon Ne
Geet Gaya Patharon Ne is a 1964 film produced and directed by V. Shantaram. The film marked the debut of V. Shantaram's daughter Rajshree and Jeetendra. The film's music was composed by Ramlal who gave a number of melodious tunes to the songs penned by Hasrat Jaipuri....
. He also introduced his niece Ranjana Deshmukh
Ranjana Deshmukh
Ranjana Deshmukh also famous on-screen as just Ranjana was a popular Marathi actress who dominated the Marathi silver screen in the '70s and '80s....
into the marathi film industry through Chandanachi Choli Ang Aang, directed by Kiran Shantaram in 1975. Ranjana dominated the Marathi silver screen in 70s and 80s.He used to live at Panhala
Panhala
Panhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
.His son has maintained his house and converted it in a hotel Valley View.
Filmography
As Actor- Sinhagad, 1923
- Savkari Pash,1925
- StriStreeStree is a 1961 Indian fantasy film directed by and starring Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 34th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.-Cast:...
, 1961
As Director
- Netaji Palekar, 1927.
- Gopal Krishna, 1929
- Udaykal, 1930
- Rani Sahiba, 1930
- Khooni Khanjar, 1930
- Chandrasena, 1931
- Maya Machindra, 1932
- Jalti Nishani, 1932
- Ayodhya Ka Raja, 1932
- Sinhagad, 1933
- Sairandhri, 1933
- Amrit Mantham, 1934
- Dharmatma, 1935
- Chandrasena, 1935
- Amar Jyoti, 1936
- Duniya Na Mane, 1937
- Manoos, 1939
- Admi, 1939
- Padosi, 1941
- Shakuntala, 1943
- Parbat Pe Apna Dera, 1944
- Maali, 1944
- Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar KahaniDr. Kotnis Ki Amar KahaniDr. Kotnis ki Amar Kahani is a 1946 Indian film made in Hindi as well as English and directed by V. Shantaram. The English version was titled The Journey of Dr. Kotnis.Both the versions starred V. Shantaram in the title role of Dr...
, 1946 - Lokshahir Ramjoshi, 1947
- Apna Desh, 1949
- Dahej, 1950
- Amar Bhopali, 1951
- Parchhaiyan, 1952
- Teen Batti Char Raste, 1953
- Surang, 1953
- Subah Ka Tara, 1954
- Jhanak Jhanak Payal BajeJhanak Jhanak Payal BajeJhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is a 1955 Indian film directed by V. Shantaram. It stars Shantaram's wife Sandhya and dancer Gopi Krishna. One of the earlier Technicolor films made in India, the film won the 1956 Filmfare Best Movie Award.-Cast:...
, 1955 - Do Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it...
, 1957 - Navrang, 1959
- StriStreeStree is a 1961 Indian fantasy film directed by and starring Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 34th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.-Cast:...
, 1961 - Sehra, 1963
- Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne, 1964
- Ladki Sahyadri Ki, 1966
- Boond Jo Ban Gaye Moti, 1967
- Jal Bin Machali Nritya Bin Bijli, 1971
- Apna Desh, 1972
- Pinjra, 1973
- Jhanjhar, 1987
As Producer
- Banwasi, 1948
- Sehra, 1963
- Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne, 1964
- Ladki Sahyadri Ki, 1966
- Jal Bina Machali Nritya Bina Bijli, 1971
- Raja Rani Ko Chahiye Pasina, 1978
- Jhanjhar, 1987
Source: IMDB
Won
- 1957: Filmfare Best Director AwardFilmfare Best Director AwardThe Filmfare Best Director Award is one of the main awards presented given by the annual Filmfare Awards to recognise directors working in the Hindi film Industry. It was first presented in 1954 in the inaugural year.-Superlatives:...
: Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje - 1958: National Film Award for Best FilmNational Film Award for Best FilmThe National Award for Best Feature film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1954. This is one of the Golden Lotus Awards given among National Film Awards...
: Do Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it... - 1958: Berlin International Film Festival8th Berlin International Film FestivalThe 8th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 27 to July 8, 1958.-Jury:* Frank Capra * J. Novais Teixeira* Jean Marais* Paul Rotha* L. B. Rao* Duilio Coletti* Michiko Tanaka* Gerhard T...
, OCIC AwardSIGNISSIGNIS is a Roman Catholic lay ecclesial movement for professionals in the communication media, including radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet and new technology. It is a non-profit organization with representation from over 140 countries...
: Do Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it... - 1958: Berlin International Film Festival8th Berlin International Film FestivalThe 8th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 27 to July 8, 1958.-Jury:* Frank Capra * J. Novais Teixeira* Jean Marais* Paul Rotha* L. B. Rao* Duilio Coletti* Michiko Tanaka* Gerhard T...
, Silver Bear (Special Prize): Do Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it... - 1985: Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDadasaheb Phalke AwardThe Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
- 1992: Padma VibhushanPadma VibhushanThe Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
Nominated
- 1951: Cannes Film Festival1951 Cannes Film FestivalThe 4th Cannes Film Festival was held on 3-20 April 1951. The festival was not held in 1950.-Jury:*André Maurois *Georges Bidault *Louis Chauvet *A...
, Grand PrizePalme d'OrThe Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
: Amar BhoopaliThe Immortal SongThe Immortal Song is a 1951 Indian film directed by Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram. It was entered into the 1952 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Prize of the Festival....
(The Immortal Song) - 1959: Golden Globe Awards16th Golden Globe AwardsThe 16th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film for 1958 films, were held on March 5, 1959.-Best Actor - Drama: David Niven – Separate Tables*Tony Curtis – The Defiant Ones...
, Samuel Goldwyn Award: Do Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah HaathDo Aankhen Barah Haath is a 1957 Hindi film directed by the Indian film director V. Shantaram, who also starred in the film. It is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema and is based on morals of Gandhian philosophy. It won a Silver Bear at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and it...
Biographies
- Shantaram, Kiran & Narwekar, Sanjit; V Shantaram: The Legacy of the Royal Lotus, 2003, Rupa & Co., ISBN 8129102188.
- Banerjee, Shampa; Profiles, five film-makers from India: V. Shantaram, Raj Kapoor, Mrinal Sen, Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Development Corp, 1985.