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