Ezra Mir (1903-93)
Hindi director born as Edwin Myers in Calcutta. Actor on the Madan stage (played Khusro in Noorjehan and later filmed the play) and in two silent Madan films (1922-3). Sailed to New York in 1924 and worked as extra in Rudolph Valentino’s A Sainted Devil (1924). Worked in editing and story departments of Universal (1925-7) and moved to United Artists (1927-9). Made short film, The Symbolesque. Returned in 1930 to Imperial and made Noorjehan (he had acted in a 1923 version). Moved to Sagar (1932-4) where he made e.g. the Zubeida film Zarina, adapting Niranjan Pal’s play, before returning to Madan (1935). Their Kajjan starrers helped delay the studio’s demise. After a European voyage, he went to Bombay to make the Kidar Sharma-scripted Rickshawala for Ranjit Studio. Set up Everest Pics in 1939 (Sitara). During the war, inspired by the March of Time series, turned to documentary: Road to Victory used newsreel material lent by Universal and 20th Century-Fox. Joined the Film Advisory Board (1940-1) and produced over 175 films for its successor Information Films of India 1942-6. Took over Films Division in 1956 and was chief producer until 1961, moulding that institution into its current shape. Also ran the CFS (1962-4).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1929: The Symbolesque (Sh) (St); 1931: Noorjehan; 1932: Zarina; 1933: Premi Pagal; 1934: Farzande Hind; 1935: Mera Pyara; Rashida; 1936: Parivartan; Shaitan Ka Pash; Jeevan Sangram; Rajdulari; 1938: Rickshawala; 1939: Sitara; Road to Victory (Doc); 1941: Voice of Satan (Sh); 1942:Whispering Legend (Doc); 1947: Beete Din; 1954: Pamposh; 1958: Do You Know? (Doc); 1964: Raju Aur Gangaram.