Rama Shankar Choudhury (1903-72)

Hindi director born in Benares, UP. Graduated from J.J. School of Art (1922). Entered films as art director and designer of publicity pamphlets. Did remarkable covers for Gujarati film journal Mouj Majah. Assisted Manilal Joshi at Laxmi Film. First film at Laxmi is Sandow’s hit costume spectacular, Neera. Best-known films at Imperial and Sagar, where he made several classics in historical genre, e.g. Anarkali, Shirin Khushrau, Shaan-e-Hind, often using the legendary epic as a nationalist allegory. Films often starred Sulochana and Zubeida. Regarded as teacher by Mehboob for whom he later scripted Roti (1942), Aan (1952) and Son of India (1962). Also scripted, in addition to his own films, e.g. Kardar’s Pehle Aap (1944), M. Sadiq’s hit Rattan (1944) and several films for Ravindra Dave. Continued writing scripts until the 70s.

FILMOGRAPHY (* also act): 1926: Neera; Asha; 1927: Karmayili Kali; 1928: Anarkali; Pita Ke Parmeshwar; Sarovar Ki Sundari*; Madhuri; 1929: Maurya Patan; Heer Ranjha; Indira; Punjab Mail; Shirin Khushrau; Talwar Ka Dhani; 1930: Hamarun Hindustan; 1931: Badmash; Khuda Ki Shaan (all St); 1932: Madhuri; 1933: Sulochana; Daku Ki Ladki; 1934: Aaj Kal; Piya Pyare; 1935: Anarkali; 1936: Hamari Betiyan; Shaan-e-Hind; 1937: Kal Ki Baat; 1938: Rifle Girl; 1939: Sach Hai; 1942: Aankh Micholi; 1943: Adab Arz; 1944: Gaali; 1946: Magadhraj; 1953: Jallianwala Bagh Ki Jyot.

Director