P.K. RAJA SANDOW (1894-1942)
Aka P.K. Nagalingam. Silent star, Hindi actor and Tamil director born in Pudukottai, TN. A passionate gymnast, he started his career as a stunt actor in S.N. Patankar's National Film 1922). Top star at Kohinoor and its associate Laxmi Pies. (1922~8) under ManilalJoshi? IMojili Mumbai), R.S. Choudhury and Homi Master. Achieved fame when he formed a trio with director Chandulal Shah and heroine Gohar, starting]agdish Film with them (1928) and its successor, Ranjit Film (1929- 36) Sandow's star image in reformist melodramas, playing complex psychological characters opposite Gohar, was bunched with Gunsundari and extended in several classic 'negative' roles in Shah-Gohar sound films, e.g. Desh Dasi, Prabhu Ka Pyara and Barrister's Wife. Other noted roles include Indira MA where he plays Kishore. Directed his first film with R. Padmanabhan's .Madrasbased Associated Films (Anadhai Perm), embarking on a series of reformist socials. Anadhai Penn, Nandarzar(the story of an Untouchable Hindu saint, subtitled The E1euation of the Downtrodden), Peyum Perznum and Taranhaar were followed by sound films Vasantsena and Chandrakantha. These films are all considered influential predecessors to Damhachari 0935), usually seen as the first 'social' in Tamil sound film. Merzaka, produced by the TKS Brothers, introduced the star N.S. Krishnan. Continued a freelance career as actorwithJaswantlal's Kashmeem, Homi Wadia's Dhoomketu. and Babubhai Mistri. Some Hlms with footage of Sandow were released after his death. Early memoirs excerpted in the Movie Mirror in 1928.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d/ only d): 1922: : Bhakta Bodana: Su1ya Kumari: 1923: Vratmsur Vadha; Veer Bhimsen; 1924: Ra Mandlik, Bismi Sadi; Razia Begum; Sati Sone; Sadguni Sushi/a; 1925: lndrasabhha; Suuarna; Kala Chor, Devadasi; Panchdanda: Desh Na Dushman; Mojili Mumbai; Vee1· Kunal; Virnala; Khandani Khavi:Matri Prem; 1926: Madhav Kam Kundala; Merza Kumar!: lvfumtaz Mahal; Neera; Bhtmnasur Vadha: Ra Kawat; Samrat Shiladitra; Typist Girl; Telephone Ni Taruni; 1927: Bhaneli Bhamini; Gunsundari; Sati Madri; Sindh Ni Sumari; The Mission Girl; 1928: Grihalakshmi; VaagPadmirzi: Vishwamohini; Snehjvoti"; 1929: Chandramukhi; Pati Patni; 1930: Anadhai Penn*; Raj Laksbmi; Sati Usha Surzdan*; Rajeshwan*; Peywn Pennum*; Nandanar; Sadaram~; 1931: Bhaktavatsala; Taranhaar; Signet Ring~ (all St); 1932: Parijata Pushpaharanam•*: 1933: Noor-eImaan; Pardesi Preetam; 1934: Indira lilA; Kashmeera; Toofani Tarurzi; Dewki; 1935: College Girl; Desh Dasi; Ratan Manjari; Raat Ki Ram*; Menaka; Barrister's Wife; 1936: Dil Ka Daku; Matlabi Duniya; Prabhu Ka Pyara; Chandrakantha; ChalakChor?; Vasantsena*; 1937: Minor Rajamam; 1938: Vishnu Leela*; 1939: Thiruneelakantar; 1941: Choodamani; 1942: Araichht Mani; 1949: Dhoomketu; 1952: Alladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, 1953: Nav Durga; Husn Ka Chor.