'''Gajanan Jagirdar (1907-88)'''


First major freelance director-character actor in
Marathi and Hindi cinema. Born in Amravati.
Child actor on amateur stage. Started Arun
Players in Pune and staged Chekov’s Cherry
Orchard and Harindranath Chattopadhyay’s
Returned from Abroad. Claimed Ernst
Lubitsch’s The Patriot (1928) as a major
influence. Started in films as writer of English
intertitles at Prabhat; then bit actor.
Apprenticed to [[Bhalji Pendharkar]]. Made
films for [[Master Vinayak]]’s Huns Pictures,
briefly at [[Minerva Movietone]] as scenarist for
[[Sohrab Modi]] (Meetha Zaher, [[Talaaq]], etc.)
and at P.K. Atre’s company. Best-known film:
[[Ramshastri]] (at Prabhat), taking over the
direction from [[Raja Nene]] and [[Bedekar]] as
well as playing the lead role. Main
performance was as the Muslim patriarch in
[[Shantaram]]’s [[Shejari]]. Appointed first director
of the [[FTII]] (1960) and became well-known
pedagogue applying e.g. Stanislavski’s theories
to local conditions in a book about acting
(1983). Published two autobiographies (1971 &
1986). Made a TV serial, Swami, on the life of
Madhavrao Peshwa, celebrating Marathi
chauvinism.


'''FILMOGRAPHY''' (* also d/** only d): 1932:
Jalti Nishani/Agnikankan; 1934:
Sinhasan**; 1936: Honhar*; Aseer-e-Hawas;
1937: Begunah**; 1938: Umaji Naik**;
Meetha Zaher; Talaaq; 1940: Main Hari**;
1941: Payachi Dasi/Charnon Ki Dasi*;
Shejari/Padosi; 1942: Vasantsena*; 1943:
Kanoon; 1944: Ramshastri*; Kiran*; Anban;
1945: Kaise Kahun; 1946: Jhumke; Shatranj;
Behram Khan*; 1947: Jail Yatra*; 1948:
Dhanyavaad*; 1950: Birha Ki Raat*; Sabak;
Pagle; 1952: Chhatrapati Shivaji; 1953:
Armaan; Mahatma; 1954: Maan; Mallika-e-
Alam Nurjehan; Oon Paoos; Angarey;
Mahatma Kabir**; 1955: Ghar Ghar Mein
Diwali*; 1956: Chhoo Mantar; Zindagi Ke
Mele; Dassehra; 1957: Paying Guest;
Aparadhi Kaun; Talash; Yahudi Ki Ladki;
Zamana; 1958: Taxi Stand**; Trolley Driver*;
Dulhan; Karigar; Raj Tilak; 1959: Qaidi No.
911; Chacha Zindabad; 1960: Babar; Hum
Hindustani; Umaji Naik**; 1961: Shahir
Parashuram; Vaijayanti*; Hum Dono;
Tanhaai; 1962: Main Chup Rahungi; Aarti;
1963: Chhota Jawan; Sukhachi Savli*;
Grihasthi; 1964: Ek Don Teen; Sarfarosh;
1965: Yugo Yugo Mi Vaat Pahili; Ek Saal
Pahele; Guide; Kajal; Main Hoon Alladdin; Tu
Hi Meri Zindagi; 1966: Dillagi; Suraj;
Amrapali; Chhota Bhai; Hum Kahan Ja Rahe
Hain; Shankar Khan; Bandar Mera Saathi;
1967: Mera Munna; 1968: Farishta; Dil Aur
Mohabbat; Humsaya; Mangalsutra; Jhuk Gaya
Aasmaan; 1969: Admi Aur Insaan; Beti
Tumhare Jaisi; Saajan; Anmol Moti; Ittefaq;
Nai Zindagi; Paisa Ya Pyar; 1970: Insaan Aur
Shaitan; Poraki; Ti Mi Navhech; Dr X; Devi;
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani; Jeevan Mrityu; Raaton
Ka Raja; Jwala; 1971: Nate Jadle Don Jivache;
Donhi Gharcha Pahuna*; Hulchul; 1972: Sub
Ka Saathi; Aai Mi Kuthe Jau?; Zindagi
Zindagi; 1973: Aa Gale Lag Jaa; Bandhe
Haath; Chori Chori; Garibi Hatao; Naina;
Sonal; 1974: Raja Shivachhatrapati; Ashiana;
Badi Maa; Hamrahi; Woh Main Nahin; Mera
Vachan Gita Ki Kasam; 1975: Badnaam;
Mutthi Bhar Chawal; 1976: Aaj Ka Yeh Ghar;
Gumrah; Meera Shyam; Raksha Bandhan;
1977: Admi Sadak Ka; Aankh Ka Tara;
Paradh; Imaan Dharam; Ram Bharose;
Chhota Baap; Dhoop Chhaon; Do Dilwale;
Mandir Masjid; Naami Chor; Shankar
Hussain; 1978: Anjaam; Des Pardes;
Karmayogi; Dost Asava Tar Asa; 1979: Maan
Apmaan; Naiya; Saanch Ko Aanch Nahin;
1980: Deva Pudhe Manoos; Mantryanchi
Soon; Paij; 1981: Umrao Jaan; Dahshat; Sher
Shivaji; 1983: Rishta Kaagaz Ka; Lal
Chunaria; Love In Goa; 1984: Bhool; 1986:
Aap Ke Saath; Yeh Preet Na Hogi Kam;
Sutradhar; 1988: Swami** (TV).

[[Director]]

[[Actor]]