Ahindra Choudhury (1897-1974)
Actor born in Calcutta. Major Calcutta Theatres stage star launched with key role of Arjun in epochal production of Karnarjun at Star Theatre (1923). Stagework in e.g. Iraner Rani, Bandini, Chirakumar Sabha, Mishar Rani etc. had impact comparable to that of Sisir Bhaduri, who had a similar career. Early films at Madan Theatres, usually by Jyotish Bannerjee who continued to direct him into the talkie era, included stage successes like Mishar Rani and Karnarjun. At Madan also filmed scenes from his stage plays in early sound experiments. In 1928 attempted, unsuccessfully, to start the Ahindra Film Studio at Ultadanga, North Calcutta. Then directed some Telugu films for Aurora? (Ansuya, Vipranarayana). Was a regular genre actor in Bengali cinema, notably in films by Sailajananda Mukherjee, P.C. Barua and Modhu Bose, until he retired in mid-50s. Wrote a two-volume autobiography, Nijere Haraye Khunji (1945). His collection of theatre and film memorabilia forms the Ahindra Choudhury Archives at Chetla, Calcutta.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1922: Soul of a Slave; 1924: Mishar Rani; 1925: Premanjali; 1926: Krishna Sakha (only d.); 1927: Durgesh Nandini; 1928: Sasthi Ki Shanti; 1930: Rajsingha (all St); 1931: Rishir Prem; Prahlad; 1932: Vishnu Maya; Krishnakanter Will; 1933: Seeta; 1934: Chand Saudagar; Rooplekha/ Mohabbat Ki Kasauti; Mahua; Daksha Yagna; Bhakta Ke Bhagwan; 1935: Ansuya*; Devadasi; Prafulla; Kanthahaar; Balidan; 1936: Tarubala; Krishna Sudama; Paraparey; Rajani; Sarala; Sonar Sansar; Dalit Kusum; Prabas Milan; Chino Haar; 1937: Vipranarayana*; Rukmini Kalyanam*; Talkie Of Talkies; Haranidhi; Indira; Samaj Patan; 1938: Abhinaya; Devifullara; Khana; 1939: Janak Nandini; Jakher Dhan; Nara Narayan; Rikta; Rukmini; Sharmistha; Chanakya; Vaman Avtar; 1940: Tatinir Bichar; Kamale Kamini; Suktara; Doctor; Amar Geeti; Rajkumarer Nirbashan; 1941: Raj Nartaki/ Court Dancer; Uttarayan; Doctor; Avatar; Nandini; Karnarjun; 1942: Jiban Sangini; Ashok; Pativrata; Avayer Biye; Shesh Uttar/ Jawab; Meenakshi; 1943: Jogajog/ Hospital; Janani; Dwanda; Devar; 1944: Matir Ghar; Sandhya; Sondhi/Sandhi?; Shesh Raksha; 1945: Amiri; Banphool; Vasiyatnama; Abhinay Nay; Mane Na Mana; Kalankini; Grihalakshmi; Bondita; Nandita; Dui Purush; 1946: Pehchan; Prem Ki Duniya; Pather Sathi; Natun Bou; Nivedita; Dukhe Jader Jiban Gara; 1947: Roy Choudhury; Mandir; Alaknanda; Giribala; Abhijog; Burmar Pathey; 1948: Jayjatra/Vijay? Yatra; Bicharak; Ghumiye Ache Gram; Nandaranir Sansar; Priyatama; Sir Shankarnath; Swarnaseeta; 1949: Abhijatya; Bisher Dhoan; Niruddesh; Pratirodh; Nirdosh Abla; Grihalakshmi; 1950: Kuhelika; Michael Madhusudhan; Pattharar Kahini; Sanchali; Vidyasagar; Mahasampad; 1953: Mushkil Ashan; Chirantani; 1954: Maa-o-Chhele;Mantra Shakti; 1955: Devatra; Pratiksha; Bir Hambir; Kankabatir Ghat; Bratacharini; 1956: He Maha Manab; Chirakumar Sabha; Paradhin; Mahakavi Girishchandra; Shyamali; Rajpath; Bhola Master; 1957: Tapasi; Neelachaley Mahaprabhu; 1973: Shravan Sandhya.