Irani, Ardeshir Marwan(1886-1969)

Director and producer in several languages; born in Pune. Studied at the J.J. School of Art in Bombay; teacher and kerosene inspector before joining his father in the phonograph and musical instruments trade in Bombay. Entered film as exhibitor representing Western Indian interests of Universal Film. Partnered Abdulally Esoofally in exhibition interests launched with acquisition of Alexandra and Majestic theatres (1914). The partnership lasted 55 years. Initially went into film production to keep distribution outlets supplied. Launched Star Film (1920) in partnership with Bhogilal K.M. Dave, releasing their first film, [[Manilal Joshi]]’s Veer Abhimanyu? in 1922. They became Majestic Film (1923), then Royal Art Studio (1925) and finally the major silent era studio, Imperial Film? (1926). A ‘mogul’ in the mould of the big Hollywood studio bosses; credited with between 225 and 250 productions in his lifetime, about half in the silent era, and talkies in nine languages including Farsi (Dukhtar-e-Lur, the first Iranian sound film). Early screen directions often jointly credited to Naval Gandhi but took rare solo directorial credit for India’s first full sound feature, Alam Ara, for which, having imported a sound technician from Hollywood (Wilford Deming), he finally recorded most of the sound himself. Bought rights to Cinecolour process and set up colour laboratory, producing India’s first indigenously processed colour film [[Kisan Kanya]] (1937). Produced only one film after Imperial went into liquidation in 1938 (Pujari, 1946) but remained active member of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) of which he had been, in 1933, its first president. In 1974, Kennedy Bridge in Bombay was renamed Ardeshir Bridge and his Jyoti Studios (Est: 1939) passed to his son, Shapur A. Irani.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1924: Mumbai Ni Sethani; Shahjehan; Paap No Fej; 1925: Navalsha Hirji (all St); 1931: Alam Ara; 1933: Dukhtare- Lur.

Director

Producer