Sundarrao Nadkarni

Tamil director; also worked in Telugu and Kannada. Drawn to cinema apparently by watching Eddie Polo silents in his native Shimoga, Karnataka. Started as actor with Sarpotdar at Deccan Pics, United Pics and Aryan. Début as director was left unfinished when United Pics was sold; the film was completed by Dhirubhai Desai. Became the top director of Surya Film (1930), set up in Bangalore to replicate the Sharda Studio’s Master Vithal stunt films with Ganpat Bakre and Zunzharrao Pawar. Turned to Tamil cinema with sound, mostly making mythologicals. Briefly worked as cameraman for Fazalbhoy’s Film City (1934); then went to the Sundaram Sound Studio where he made his first Tamil films (Raja Bhakti, Bhasmasur Mohini, Bhukailasa). Later worked at Jupiter Studio (Valmiki, Krishna Vijayam). Started his own Shri Ganesh Prasad Movies (1955) with Koteshwaran starring Sivaji Ganesan. Best known for his Telugu and Tamil film of R. Nagendra Rao’s hit play Bhukailasa. His last films were in Kannada.

FILMOGRAPHY (* act only): 1924: Poona Raided*; 1925: Chandrarao More*; Chhatrapati Sambhaji*; 1928: Maya Na Rang; 1929: Julia Dalia*; Mard Ki Zabaan*; Kodandhari Ram*; Raktacha Sood*; 1930: Dhoomketu; Randhir; Kalika No Kop; 1931: Baaz Bahadur; Ishq No Anjam; Zindagi Nu Jugar; Qurbani; Taj Ke Talwar; Teer-e-Qatil; Aseer-e-Hirs (all St); 1934: Sakkubai; 1936: Raja Bhakti; 1937: Bhasmasur Mohini; 1938: Bhukailasa; 1939: Sant Sakkubai; 1940: Bhukailasa; 1942: En Manaivi; 1944: Haridas; 1946: Valmiki; 1949: Krishna Vijayam; 1951: Sudarshan; 1952: Krishna Kanhaiya; 1953: Azhagi; 1955: Koteshwaran; 1957: Mahadevi; 1963: Sant Tukaram; 1968: Gauri Ganda.

Director