Phani Majumdar

Last updated

Phani Majumdar
Born(1911-12-28)28 December 1911
Died16 May 1994(1994-05-16) (aged 82)
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)film director, screenwriter
Years active19381986

Phani Majumdar was a pioneering Indian film director, who worked in Hindi cinema, [1] most known for his film Street Singer (1938) starring K.L. Saigal noted for its song, Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaye , Meena Kumari classic Aarti (1962) and Oonche Log (1965). He also worked in Singapore, where he notably made Hang Tuah (1955) in Malay, which was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival. [2]

Contents

Career

Starting in 1930s, with leading film director P.C. Barua at New Theatres Studio of Calcutta founded by B. N. Sircar, who during this period made classics like Devdas (1935). He moved to Bombay in 1941 and worked with Bombay Talkies studio, he made Tamanna (1942) with Suraiya and Mohabbat (1943) with Shanta Apte and Andolan (1951). He made films in Punjabi, Magadhi (Bhaiya, 1961) and Maithili (Kanyadaan, 1965). [1] His Oonch Log was actor Feroz Khan's first hit and won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.

Noted film director-producer Shakti Samanta assisted Majumdar in Tamasha, Baadbaan and Dhobi Doctor at Bombay Talkies before working independently. [3]

He was married to Monica Desai, sister of actress, Leela Desai. [4]

Filmography

YearFilm Director Writer Notes
1938 Street Singer YesNo K.L. Saigal, Hindi
1938 Sathi YesNoK. L. Saigal, Bengali version of Street Singer
1943 MohabbatYesNo
1948 Hum Bhi Insaan Hain YesNo
1952 Tamasha YesYes (screenplay)Dev Anand, Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Kaushalya
1952GoonjYesNoSuraiya (Heroine), Suresh(Hero), Producer: H.S Kwatra, Story & Lyrics: D. N. Madhok, Sardul Kwatra
1954 Baadbaan YesYes (story)
1956 Hang Tuah YesNo Malay language
Anak-ku Sazali YesNo Malay language
1958 DoktorYesYes (story) Malay language
1961 Bhaiyaa YesYes (story) Magahi
1962 Aarti YesNo Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar
1965 Kanyadan YesNo Maithili language
Akashdeep YesNo
Kaajal NoYes [5]
Oonche Log YesYes National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film in Hindi [6] [7]
Feroz Khan's first hit [8]
1978 Badalte Rishtey NoYes
1986 Ek Chadar Maili Si NoYes
Note:Films in Hindi-language unless mentioned otherwise.

Awards

National Film Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khwaja Ahmad Abbas</span> Indian Film director, screenwriter, novelist and journalist

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was an Indian film director, screenwriter, novelist, and journalist in Urdu, Hindi and English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashok Kumar</span> Indian actor (1911–2001)

Ashok Kumar, was an Indian actor who attained iconic status in Indian cinema. He was considered the first big star of Indian cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. He was a member of the cinematic Ganguly family. He was honoured in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India. He received the Padma Shri in 1962 and Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raaj Kumar</span> Indian film actor (1926-1996)

Raaj Kumar was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi films. In a career that spanned over four decades, he went on to star in 70 films and is regarded as one of the most successful actors of Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunil Dutt</span> Indian film actor, producer, director and politician (1929–2005)

Sunil Dutt was an Indian actor, film producer, director and politician. Dutt was honoured with Padma Shri, in 1968, by the Government of India, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. R. Chopra</span> Indian film director (1914–2008)

Baldev Raj Chopra was a prolific Indian director and producer noted for pioneering the Hindi film industry and television series. He's known for directing notable films, such as Afsana, Ek Hi Raasta, Naya Daur, Sadhna, Kanoon, Gumrah, Hamraaz, Dhund, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Insaf Ka Tarazu and Nikaah. He also produced hit films, including Dhool Ka Phool, Waqt, Ittefaq, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Chhoti Si Baat, The Burning Train, Aaj Ki Awaaz, Baghban and the TV series, Mahabharat. He was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema, for the year 1998, and Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shakti Samanta</span> Indian film director and producer

Shakti Samanta was an Indian film director and producer, who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known for films such as Anand Ashram (1977), Anusandhan /Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1981), Anyay Abhichar (1985), Howrah Bridge (1958), Insan Jaag Utha (1959), China Town (1962), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aradhana (1969), Kati Patang (1971), and Amar Prem (1972), Amanush (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feroz Khan (actor)</span> Indian actor and filmmaker (1939–2009)

Feroz Khan, born Zulfiqar Ali Shah Khan, was an Indian actor, film editor, producer, and director best known for his work in Indian cinema. He appeared in over 60 films throughout his career and became one of Bollywood's popular style icons. Khan is known for his roles in successful Hindi films, such as Arzoo (1965), Safar (1970), Mela (1971), Apradh (1972), Khotte Sikkay (1974), Kala Sona (1975), Dharmatma (1975), Nagin (1976), Qurbani (1980), Janbaaz (1986) and Welcome (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chetan Anand (director)</span> Hindi film producer, screenwriter and director

Chetan Anand was a Bollywood film producer, screenwriter and director from India, whose first film, Neecha Nagar, was awarded the Grand Prix Prize at the first ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Later, he co-founded Navketan Films with his younger brother Dev Anand in 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L. V. Prasad</span> Indian director, producer, and businessman

Akkineni Laxmi Vara Prasada Rao, known professionally as L. V. Prasad, was an Indian film director, producer, actor, and businessman. He was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and is the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest Award for films in India. In 1980, he was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, for his contribution to Telugu cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amit Bose</span> Indian filmmaker (1930–2019)

Amit Bose was an Indian filmmaker, film director and editor, who directed all-time classics like Abhilasha (1968) and, as an Editor, worked on movies like Madhumati (1958), Sujata (1959), Parakh (1960), Usne Kaha Tha (1960), Kabuliwala (1961), Prem Patra (1962), Bandini (1963) and Shakespeare Wallah (1965). He worked as Chief Film Editor for Bimal Roy and with several other directors including Sanjay Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debaki Bose</span> Indian actor (1898–1971)

Debaki Bose (1898–1971), also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, was an Indian director, writer, and actor who is recognized for his contribution in Hindi as well as Bengali cinema. He was born on 25 November 1898 in Akalposh,, Burdwan, Bengal Presidency, British India. He died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is known for his innovative use of sound and music in Indian Cinema. He worked first under the banner of British Dominion Films of Dhiren Ganguly and later with Pramathesh Barua's Barua Pictures and finally he joined New Theatres banner in 1932. He started his own production company, Debaki Productions, in 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of West Bengal</span>

Cinema of West Bengal, also known as Tollywood or Bengali cinema, is the segment of Indian cinema, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Bengali language widely spoken in the state of West Bengal. It is based in the Tollygunge region of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The origins of the nickname Tollywood, a portmanteau of the words Tollygunge and Hollywood, dates back to 1932. It was a historically important film industry, at one time the centre of Indian film production. The Bengali film industry is known for producing many of Indian cinema's most critically acclaimed global Parallel Cinema and art films, with several of its filmmakers gaining prominence at the Indian National Film Awards as well as international acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhi Bhattacharya</span> Indian actor

Abhi Bhattacharya was an Indian actor of Hindi and Bengali cinema, who is most remembered for his roles in films of the 1950s and the 1960s, such as Yatrik (1952), Jagriti (1954), Anuradha (1960), Subarnarekha (1965) and Amanush 1975. In his four decade long acting career he performed in more than 150 films in Hindi and 21 in Bengali. Abhi Bhattacharya worked with eminent film directors of India such as Ritwik Ghatak, Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy and Satyen Bose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Bihar</span> Filmmaking industry in Bihar

The cinema of Bihar, a state in eastern India, primarily consists of films in the Bhojpuri language. Bihar also has smaller Maithili- and Magahi-language film industries. Cinema in the state began during the early 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nana Palshikar</span> Indian actor

Nana Palshikar was an Indian actor who appeared in over 80 Hindi films. He made his film debut in 1935 with Dhuwandhar, and went on to play character roles in both Hindi mainstream and arthouse films. He was also cast in small parts in a few international productions such as Maya (1966), The Guru (1969) and Gandhi (1982). Palshikar was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, in 1962 and 1965. He was recognised with an award in the same category by the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birendranath Sircar</span>

Birendranath Sircar was an Indian film producer and the founder of New Theatres Calcutta. He made Bengali-language films that were noted for introducing many film directors who later became famous. He was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1970 and the third highest civilian award in India, the Padma Bhushan, in 1972.

<i>Oonche Log</i> (1965 film) 1965 film by Phani Majumdar

Oonche Log is a 1965 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Phani Majumdar. It is based on the play Major Chandrakanth, by K. Balachander. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Feroz Khan in lead roles. Its lyrics were composed by Majrooh Sultanpuri and the music was given by Chitragupta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyan Mukherjee</span> Indian film director and screenwriter

Gyan Mukherjee was an Indian film director and screenwriter, who worked in Hindi cinema, best known for the hits Jhoola (1941) and Kismet (1943).

Oonche Log may refer to these Indian Hindi-language films:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Obituary: Phani Majumdar" . The Independent . 22 June 1994. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022.
  2. Awards IMDb
  3. "Shakti Samanta his Aradhana came true". MiD DAY. 11 April 2009.
  4. "Gentleman Extraordinaire: Phani Majumdar". thedailyeye.info. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  5. "Kaajal (1965)". The Hindu . 19 November 2010.
  6. 1 2 "13th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 "13th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals.
  8. "Review: Blast from the past: Oonche Log (1965)". The Hindu . 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 26 May 2009.
  9. "9th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2011.