== Dattatreya Jagannath Dharmadhikari ==


Marathi and Hindi producer-director born in
Kolhapur. Doorkeeper at [[Prabhat]] (1934), then
bit player (1936) and assistant to [[K. Narayan
Kale]] ([[Mazha Mulga]], 1938), Damle and
[[Fattelal]], and [[V. Shantaram]]. One of the
younger cineastes (e.g. [[Raja Nene]], editor
[[Anant Mane]], scenarist [[Shantaram Athavale]]
and musician Keshavrao Bhole) who left
Prabhat (1944) to work collectively in
Bombay. Assisted Raja Nene at Mohan Studios,
then at Balasaheb Pathak’s Manik Studios.
Made first film for Raja Nene’s company,
probably co-directed by Nene. Launched
Alhaad Chitra (1951-4) which revitalised the
Marathi cinema converting the social into very
successful stage-inspired weepies (e.g. [[Chimni
Pakhare/Nannhe Munne]], Stree Janma Hi
Tujhi Kahani), often ending with funerals. This
style was continued by e.g. Anant Mane, Datta
Mane and [[Datta Keshav]] (all from Alhaad
Chitra), grafting Hindi [[All-India film]] norms on
to Marathi cinema. Also worked in Hindi for
[[Homi Wadia]]’s Basant Studio and at [[Filmistan]].
Appeared as actor in [[Sant Dnyaneshwar]]
(1940). His son Alhaad Dattatreya
Dharmadikari, aka Master Alhaad (b. 1947)
became a noted child actor in Hindi and
Marathi films.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1947: Shadi Se Pehle; 1949:
Maya Bazaar; Bala Jo Jo Re; 1951: Kunkvacha
Dhani; 1952: Akher Jamla; Chimni Pakhare/
Nannhe Munne; Stree Janma Hi Tujhi
Kahani; 1953: Bhagyavaan; Saubhagya;
Mahatma; 1954: Savdhan; 1956: Sudarshan
Chakra; 1957: Aliya Bhogasi; 1959: Deep Jalta
Rahe; Pativrata; 1961: Ek Dhaga Sukhacha;
Kalanka Shobha; 1962: Kshan Aala
Bhagyacha; Saptapadi; Vithu Mazha
Lekurvala; 1963: Subhadra Haran; 1964:
Vaishakh Vanava; 1967: Thamb Lakshmi
Kunku Lavte; 1969: Saticha Vaan; Mujhe
Seene Se Laga Lo; 1973: Nasti Uthathev; 1975:
Bhakta Pundalik; 1978: Dhakti Mehuni; 1980:
Satichi Punyayi.
[[Director]]