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