Dinshaw Bilimoria (b. 1904)

Actor-director born in Kirkee. Usually described as the highest-paid silent star in India. Formed the celebrated lead couple with Sulochana esp. at Imperial. Introduced in stunt movie-derived historicals and mythologicals adapting Maratha legends at N.D. Sarpotdar’s United Pics. First two films at Imperial, Bhavnani’s Wildcat of Bombay and Choudhury’s Anarkali, were massive hits for him and Sulochana. His John Barrymore- style image was born in elaborate costume fantasies opposite Sulochana’s Orientalised ‘Queen of Romance’, a reference elaborated later by some of the biggest directors of the silent era, e.g. Choudhury, Chandulal Shah, Homi Master, Jaswantlal and Nanubhai Vakil. Several of his silent hits were remade as sound films, notably Indira MA and Anarkali. Acted in some films at Ranjit. Azadi-e-Watan (1940), advertised as directed by him, is probably a dubbed version of an American import.

FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1925: Chhatrapati Sambhaji; 1926: Dha Cha Ma; Tai Teleen; Umaji Naik; 1927: Wildcat of Bombay; Vilasi Kanta; Daya Ni Devi; 1928: Anarkali; Qatil Kathiyani; Madhuri; Rajrang; 1929: Khwab-e- Hasti; Mewad Nu Moti; Punjab Mail; Heer Ranjha; Rajputani; Hawai Swar; 1930: Pahadi Kanya; Rasili Radha; Diwani Dilbar; 1931: Baghdad Nu Bulbul; Mojili Mashuq; Noor-e- Alam; Premi Jogan (all St); Devi Devayani; 1932: Sati Madalasa; 1933: Daku Ki Ladki;Saubhagya Sundari; Sulochana; 1934: Gul Sanobar; Indira MA; Khwab-e-Hasti; Piya Pyare; Devaki; 1935: Anarkali; Do Ghadi Ki Mauj; Pujarini; 1936: Bambai Ki Billi; Jungle Queen; Shaan-e-Hind; 1937: Jagat Kesari; New Searchlight; Wah Ri Duniya; 1939: Prem Ki Jyot; 1942: Jawani Ki Pukar*.

Actor Director