'''Nandlal Jaswantlal (1906-61)'''


Hindi director born in Bardoli, Surat. Son of
Jaswantlal Mehta, administrative officer at
Kohinoor. Started career as [[Kohinoor Studio]]
employee (1924). Assisted [[Chandulal Shah]]
(1926-9) and directed films for Ranjit Studio
(1929-33). Silent star scenarist [[Mohanlal Dave]]
apparently joined Ranjit solely to be able to
work with Jaswantlal. Left to make a tour of
Europe (1934); then joined [[Imperial Films|Imperial]] (1934-6)
where he directed [[Sulochana]] in several
remakes of her own [[R.S. Choudhury]] and
[[Bhavnani]] silent hits. Worked briefly in Madras
running a film laboratory (1937), then returned
to direction. Silent work influenced by
Gandhian nationalism. Best known for his later
[[Filmistan]] musicals: [[Anarkali]] (with Bina Rai
and music by [[C. Ramchandra]]) and [[Nagin]]
(with [[Vyjayanthimala]]), one of the biggest
post-Independence musical hits. Admired for
his sophisticated lighting (with cameraman
Pandurang Naik). Used extreme close-ups and
unusual angles creating disjointed but dramatic
and sensual spaces (e.g. the beginning of
Anarkali). Last film Akeli Mat Jaiyo was
completed by Chandulal Shah. Apparently
filmed many of the famous song sequences 
of M. Sadiq’s musical Taj Mahal (1963).


'''FILMOGRAPHY:''' 1929: Jawani Diwani;
Pardesi Saiyan; 1930: Pahadi Kanya; 1931:
Premi Jogan; Ghunghatwali (all St); 1933:
Pardesi Preetam; 1934: Indira MA;
Kashmeera; 1935: Pujarini; 1936: Bambai Ki
Billi; Jungle Queen; 1939: Jeevan Saathi;
1941: Kamadhenu; 1943: Pratigya; 1944:
Kadambari; 1945: Amrapali; 1947: Sati Toral;
Veerangana; 1951: Sanam; 1953: Anarkali;
1954: Nagin; 1956: Taj; 1957: Champakali;
1963: Akeli Mat Jaiyo.

[[Director]]