At The Edge

A packet of Rajkamal Sindoor Emblem of V. Shantaram's studio 'Rajkamal Kalamandir' established in 1943 . It was surprising to see the 'lotus girl' iconography still doing the rounds.

Emblem of V. Shantaram 's studio 'Rajkamal Kalamandir' that opened in 1943. Sequence is from his famous film 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' (1957)  video link V. Shantaram left Prabhat Film Company in 1942 and started Rajkamal Studios, where his maiden venture was Shakuntala which was screened at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1947. Read more about the studio and V.Shantaram in an old article from The Hindu

Mudai Laakh Bura Chahay To Kya Hota Hai,Wohi Hota Hai Jo Manzoor-e-Khuda Hota Hai Mehboob Productions founded by Mehboob Khan in 1943. This one is from his classic film Mother India (1957). video link

`When the bugles blow, there's a good show!' Reminds me of late afternoon Sunday movies of Doordarshan. this one from Gemini Studio Chandralekha (1948). In 1941, S. S. Vasan bought a studio on Mount Road, Madras, in `court auction' and re-named it Gemini Studio. The Studio never made too many films but its powerful logo of 'Gemini Twins' instantly remind people of old black and white big buget movies. Read more about S.S. Vasan and Gemini Studio here at a fine article from The Hindu. video link

In year 1949, Dev Anand, along with brother Chetan Anand, started a film production company called Nav Ketan films . Year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the film company. The company that introduced artists like Guru Dutt, Jaidev, Johny Walker, Sahir Ludhianvi. Zeenat Aman and Tabu. Beginning was great with Chetan Anand directing Afsar (1949) based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector . Next came Guru Dutt's directorial debut Baazi (1951). Then within next decade some of fine films, mostly thanks to Chetan and Vijay Anand. In 1961, people heard the great music by Jai dev for the film Hum Dono. A film later in 1965, Vijay Anand directed path breaking Guide (1965) adapted from R. K. Narayan's novel The Guide and  then he went on to direct the brilliant thriller Jewel Thief (1967). Dev Anand turned director with Prem Pujari (1970) and on screen played a butterfly chasing peacenik. Then in 1971,  he directed the phenomena called Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Ze...