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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Remembering producer director A V Meyyappan 1907-79


Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar (28 July 1907 – 12 August 1979), also known as A. V. Meiyappan or AVM, was an Indian film producer, director and philanthropist who established AVM Productions in Vadapalani, Chennai. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Tamil cinema, and one of three movie moguls of the South Indian film industry along with S. S. Vasan and L. V. Prasad. His production company AVM Productions is the only production company in Kollywood (Tamil film industry) to run successfully for five decades and three generations.
Abdullally Esoofally
Abdul Ali Yusuf Ali ( 1884 in Surat , † 1957 ) was an Indian filmpionian. In addition to Jamshedji Framji Madan , he was the most important film presenter of the early days of Indian film. Abdulally Esoofally bought JF Madan's foreign film copies at the same time, and, with a filmmaker and tent, led them in a moving cinema until they were torn. From 1908 to 1914 he traveled through Burma , Sumatra , Java , Singapore , Ceylon and India and made the cinema known in remote areas. He settled in Bombay in 1914 and acquired the Alexandra Theater cinemas, and later the Majestic Theater , with financial participation from Ardeshir Irani . With Irani, he was a more than 40-year-old entrepreneurial partnership. While Irani took over the film production, Esoofally took care of commercial exploitation of the films. He was involved in the founding of Iranian film production company Imperial Films in 1926. In Esoofally's Majestic Theater on March 14, 1931, Alam Ara , the first Indian sound film premier. From 1946, Abdulally Esoofally was an active member of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of India .
Ameena
Ameena is an actress, known for Anarbala (1940), Hawai Khautala (1946) and Jungle Princess (1958).
Amir bai karnataki
Amirbai was a talented singer and actress who was fluent in Kannada (mother tongue) and Gujarati languages. 'Mahre te gamray ek baar aawjo' is one of her famous Gujarati songs from the film 'Ranrakdevi' with music composer Avinash Vyas. A representative from HMV Label music company was so impressed by her singing talent that he made her sing a Qawwali, which became very popular. This qawwali song was for film Zeenat (1945) by film producer-director Shaukat Hussain Rizvi.Her elder sister, Gauherbai, was an actress and helped Amirbai get a role in the film Vishnu Bhakti in 1934.Initially, Amirbai sang songs in films, but they failed to attain the success she desired. In 1943, with the release of Bombay Talkies' Kismet (1943 film), she achieved popularity: the songs of Kismet became a rage and Amirbai became famous. The man behind the success was the composer Anil Biswas. She was initially known as a singing star, but at the decline of her career she became a playback singer. She reached her career peak by 1947. After 1947, Lata Mangeshkar became a rising star, so once again Amirbai switched over to acting. In her later years she mostly played character roles. Amirbai also composed music for Wahab Pictures film Shehnaaz (1948). In the same year she almost left Hindi Cinema for Gujarati and Marwari films. One of the famous film magazines 'Film India' had mentioned in one of its articles that at that time in the 20th century when other singers used to get Rs. 500 for singing a song, Amirbai used to get Rs. 1000 per recording.
Amir bano,
Amir Bano was a supporting actress who appeared in a number of Hindi films of 1940s and 1950s. Notable films to her credit include Dillagi (1949), Bazaar (1949), Jadoo (1951) and Musafirkhana (1955).
Amla Shankar
Amala Shankar was born as Amala Nandy in 1919. Her father Akhoy Kumar Nandy wanted his children to be interested in nature and villages. In 1931, when she was 11 years old she went to the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris. Here she met Uday Shankar and his family. Amala at that time was wearing a frock. Uday Shankar's mother Hemangini Devi gave her a Saree to wear. She joined Uday Shankar's dance troupe and performed across the world.In 1939 when she was staying in Chennai with Uday Shankar's dance group, one day came to Amala at night and gave her marriage proposal. Uday Shankar married Amala in 1942. Their first son Ananda Shankar was born in December, 1942. Their daughter Mamata Shankar was born in January, 1955. Uday Shankar and Amala Shankar was a popular dance couple for a long time. But, later Uday Shankar was romantically involved with a young girl of his troupe and he produced Chandalika without Amala. Uday Shankar died in 1977. The last few years, the couple lived separately. As of 2012 Amala Shankar is still active and has kept Shankar gharana alive with her daughter Mamata and daughter-in-law Tanushree Shankar. She is the sister-in-law of Ravi Shankar.
Anees Khatoon
Anees Khatoon is known for Nai Zindagi (1943), Padosi (1941) and Milaap (1937).
Asit Sen (Director)
Asit Sen started his career, assisting auteur Bimal Roy at New Theatres in Kolkata.By 1952 he restarted the second phase of his career with Maa (1952) for Bombay Talkies. Though he had made Assamese film, Biplabi (1948), after his shift, he made his Hindi film debut with Parivaar (1956), produced by Bimal Roy and starring Kishore Kumar, and Usha Kiran, however he continued working in Bengali cinema. He assisted Roy in Parineeta (1953) and Biraj Bahu (1954). Next he made Bengali film, Chalachal in 1956 starring Arundhati Devi, which was a success, many years later he remade the film in Hindi as Safar, which was also a hit. In 1959, he made Deep Jwele Jaai (1959) starring Suchitra Sen set in a psychiatric hospital, which again he remade in Hindi, as Khamoshi in 1969, with Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman. In Mamta (1966) remake of his 1963 Bengali film Uttar Falguni, a story about class conflict, he excelled as a storyteller. The film had lead actress Suchitra Sen in a double role, and featured memorable songs, Rahen Na Rahen Hum sung by Lata Mangeshkar and her hit duet, Chuppa Lo Yun Dil Mein Pyar Mera with Hemant Kumar.
Sen worked with some of the most prominent actors in Bollywood during his career. As a director in Khamoshi 1969 he directed Rajesh Khanna and in Sharafat (1970) he directed Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Ashok Kumar, in Annadata (1972) he directed Jaya Bachchan, in Maa Aur Mamta (1970), Ashok Kumar, in Mamta (1966) he directed Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra, and in Bairaag he directed Helen, Madan Puri and Kader Khan. In Anari (1975) he directed actors such as Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Moushumi Chatterjee and Kabir Bedi.
He died at a Kolkata hospital on 25 August 2001 at the age of 79.
Asit Sen, Acor & Comedian
Asit Sen (13 May 1917 – 18 September 1993) was a prolific Indian film actor and comedian in the Hindi film industry. He starred in over 200 films between 1953 and 1993 until his death. He often portrayed a character with authority, such as a police inspector or landlord, but with comedic effect, mostly as a slow-speaking person. His acting career was particularly prolific in the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. He had a very thin voice, in striking contrast to his huge physical frame. He was born in Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh).
Avinash Vyas
Avinash Vyas composed music for over 1200 songs for 190 Hindi and Gujarati films during his career, his total contribution exceeding 10,000 songs including non film songs Most of the major singers of that era such as Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Suman Kalyanpur, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor and Usha Mangeshkar sang his compositions in various movies. He tuned the lines of several noted lyricists like Qamar Jalalabadi, Indeevar, Bharat Vyas and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Geeta Dutt was one of his favorite singers and she sang in more Gujarati films than in Bengali films where she originally came from.
Azra
Azra was a starlet active in Hindi films from late ’50s to ’60s. Azra was introduced by Mehboob Khan in his classic film Mother India (1957) opposite Sunil Dutt. Although she was cast as a leading lady in few films including Babar (1960), she was soon reduced to character roles in films like Love in Simla, Junglee and Ganga Jamuna. She is remembered as a fake princess in the famous song from Junglee (1961), Suku Suku.Azra was a starlet active in Hindi films from late ’50s to ’60s. Daughter of director Nanubhai Vakil, Azra was introduced by Mehboob Khan in his classic film Mother India (1957) in a supporting role. Although she was cast as a leading lady in few films including Babar (1960), she was soon reduced to supporting roles in films like Love in Simla, Junglee and Ganga Jamuna.
B. Nandrekar
B. Nandrekar is an actor, known for Sant Tukaram (1936), Baghban (1938) and Amar Jyoti (1936).
Baburao Pendharkar
Baburao Pendharkar (1896–1967), was an Indian actor, director, film producer and writer.Baburao Pendharkar was born in Kolhapur. Born to Radhabai and her patron Dr Gopal Pendharkar, Baburao was related to quite a few film personalities in Indian film industry. His younger brother Bhalji Pendharkar was a famous film Director, Producer and Writer. Other famous names in family included half-brother Master Vinayak Radhabai's son after she married Shri Karnataki, cousin V Shantaram, son of Kamalabai, Radhabai's younger sister.Baburao started his career in the era of silent films.
babu bhai mistry
Baby Naaz
Kumari Naaz was born on August 20, 1944 in Bombay, India as Salma Baig. She was an actress, known for Boot Polish (1954), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Bidesiya (1963). She was married to Subbiraj. She died on October 19, 1995 in Mumbai, India.
Baby Saroja
Acting in just three films made Baby Saroja a child super star.Indian cinema has seen many child stars. But none attracted the sobriquet: Shirley Temple of India!
Saroja became part of the Tamil folklore of that era. Soldiers who were enlisted in the army just before World War II, apparently sang a song bidding adieu to Baby Saroja (Baby Saroja, Naan warukku poren Née kavalai padade).
Saroja has fans even today not only in Tamil Nadu but also in places like Singapore and Malaysia where the three films in which she appeared are remembered. She smiles as she did in those days when she recalls her childhood as a super star.
Bela Bose,
Bela Bose was a dancer and actress in Hindi films during the 1960s and 70s. She started her career as a schoolgirl as a group dancer in films to help support her family after her father's death. She picked up more films after she finished her schooling. Her first role was in Sautela Bhai (1962) opposite Guru Dutt at age 17. She honed her acting skills performing in Bengali plays. Her career consisted of more than 150 films. In Hawa Mahal (1962), she played the role of Helen's sister.
Some of her roles were in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963), F.C. Mehra's Professor and Amrapali, Atmaram's Shikar, Umang, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Dil Aur Mohabbat, Zindagi Aur Maut and Wahan Ke Log. Later, she became a character actress and playing the villainous sister-in-law in Jai Santoshi Maa.Her husband, Ashish Kumar, was an actor. She married him in 1967 and gradually eased out of films after giving birth to a daughter and a son.
Bhagwan Dada
Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, popularly known as Bhagwan dada, mainly due to his love for wrestling, made his debut in silent era with the film Criminal. He co-directed his first film Bahadur Kisan with Pawar in 1938. From 1938 to 1949 he directed a string of low budget stunt and action films that were popular with the working classes. He usually played a naive simpleton. One of the notable films that he made during this period was the Tamil film Vana Mohini (1941) that starred M. K. Radha and Sri Lankan actress Thavamani Devi. In 1942, as part of a scene, he had to slap actress Lalita Pawar hard. He accidentally slapped her very hard, which resulted in facial paralysis and a burst left eye vein. Three years of treatment later Pawar was left with a defective left eye. He turned producer in 1942 with Jagruti Pictures and owned Jagriti Studios in Chembur in 1947. On advice from Raj Kapoor he turned to making a social film called Albela starring Bhagwan and Geeta Bali, and featuring music by his friend Chitalkar, or C. Ramchandra. The songs of the film, in particular "Shola jo bhadke" are still remembered. Albela was a huge hit. After Albela, Bhagwan got C. Ramchandra and Geeta Bali together again in Jhamela (1953), where he tried to recreate the formulaic success of Albela with little success. The next film he attempted was La'Bela but that too was a commercial failure. After that Bhagwan did not have any more hits and eventually had to give up producing and directing films, sell his 25 room sea facing bungalow in Juhu and his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week). He took whatever roles he could get, but apart from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje and Chori Chori, none were roles of note, and he eventually took on bit parts in which he did his famous dance.
Bhudo Advani,
Bhudo Advani (17 August 1905–25 July 1985) was an Indian cinema character-actor and comedian. He started his acting career in theatre with the notion of spreading awareness on social issues. He came to Bombay on the advice of an Ajanta Cinetone representative and was offered a role in the film, Afzal, also called Hoor-E-Haram in 1933, directed by Mohan Bhavnani. He later joined Sagar Movietone, becoming an important fixture in most films produced by them. He turned from character roles to comedy performing in Dr. Madhurika (1935) directed by Sarvottam Badami, Deccan Queen (1936) and Do Diwaane (1936) by C. Luhar. Advani also became a vital part in director Mehboob Khan's films, acting in all the pictures directed by Mehboob while at Sagar Movietone. When Sagar shut down in 1939, Mehboob formed his own production company, National Studios, Bhudo Advani become a member there but by beginning of the 1940s, Advani was doing freelance work. In a career spanning forty-four years from 1933–1977, he acted in over ninety films. Belonging to the Sindhi community, Advani along with Moti Prakash and S. P. Menghani, helped toward development and formation of the Sindhi theatre in 1961. His later memorable roles were in some of Raj Kapoor films like Boot Polish (1954) in which he lip-synced to the song "Lapak Jhapak Tu Aa Re Badariya", sung by Manna De in Raga Adhana, Shri 420 (1955) and Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957). His last film was Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) made by Satyajit Ray.
Bhusan Tewary
Bhushan Tiwari was an Indian character actor in Hindi films, who largely played negative roles in many Bollywood movies. e.g. of villain's henchman in films, like Zanjeer (1973) and Parvarish (1977). His father was Ramayan Tiwari who also played mainly villains. He also played the role of Manilal in the TV mini series, The Far Pavilions (1984)
Bimla Kumari
Bimla was a starlet in Bollywood films from late 40s to early 50s. She will always be remembered as the “Lal Dupatta” girl because that famous song “Hawa mein udta jayey” from Barsaat (1949) was picturized on her. Besides Barsaat, another memorable role of hers was in Albela (1951) as Bhagwan’s sister. Other notable films include Sunehre Din (1949), Sargam (1950) and Shrimatiji (1952). She left Bombay in 1954 to work for Vauhini Studios in Madras. Later, she came back and worked primarily as a dancer in more Hindi films including Do Ustad (1959) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) before disappearing into oblivion.
Bir Sakhuja
Bir Sakuja is an actor, known for C.I.D. (1956), Professor (1962) and Kala Pani (1958).
Bismillah
Bismillah is known for his work on Gunga Jumna (1961), Madhosh (1951) and Ankhen (1968).

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