Harshadrai Sakerlal Mehta
Pioneer Hindi and Tamil director born in Mota, Bardoli Dist., Gujarat. Started as a painter, editor and cameraman at Kohinoor (1919), but made his début for Krishna Film (Ver Ni Vasulat). At Krishna he began his association with long-time partner and cameraman Luhar (e.g. Be Din Ni Badshahi, Amar Asha) making melodramas often starring the Anglo-Indian star Ermeline. Best-known film of this period is Janjirne Jankare, the much-acclaimed Rajput romance scripted and shot by Luhar. Made his most influential films with the famous Mehta- Luhar Prod. set up in 1931 with Bapubhai Desai and the informal support of the Sharda Studio. Made several Sharda-type stunt movies featuring e.g. Navinchandra. Moved to Coimbatore’s Premier Cinetone (1937) and made a number of Tamil films.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1925: Swapna Sundari; Ver Ni Vasulat; Chandrakant; Hothal Padmini; Jal Kumari; Krishna Kumar; 1926: Be Din Ni Badshahi; Amar Asha; Panna Ratna; Ram Bharose; Bhool No Bhog; Panch Kalyani; 1927: Janjirne Jankare; Keemti Ansoo; Roop Sundari; Sharad Purnima; Keshavkant BA; Vadia Dhor; 1928: Gul Badan; Karuna Kumari; Raj Tarang; Saundarya Sura; Sassi Punnu; 1929: Dilruba; Miss Dolly; Jai Somnath; Satta No Mad; Pataal Padmini; Ranagarjana; 1930: Talwar Ka Pani; Daku Ke Dilbar; Soneri Khanjar; 1931: Kala Wagh; Raj Bhakta; Priyatama; Ronak Mahal; Tirandaz; Solanki Shamsher; Dharti Kaamp; 1932: Kalo Sawar; Hoor-e-Hind; Vanraj Kesari; Bharat Veer; 1933: Jallad (all St); Sohni Mahiwal; Vikram Charitra; Rambha Rani; 1934: Veerangana Panna; 1935: Meethi Nazar; 1936: Pahadi Kanya; 1938: Eknath; Shri Kanda Leela; 1939: Shakti Maya; 1940: Parasuramar; 1942: Alli Vijaam; 1944: Ghar Ki Shobha.