V. Shantaram

Infobox actor
bgcolour = silver
name = V. Shantaram


imagesize = 200px
birthdate = birth date |1901|11|18
location = Kolhapur, Maharashtra IND
deathdate = Death date and age|1990|10|30|1901|11|18
Mumbai, IND
occupation = Film director, producer, actor, Screenwriter
yearsactive =1921-1987 [ [http://www.ultraindia.com/movies/awards/vsfgraphy.htm filmography] ]
awards = Dadasaheb Phalke Award:1985
Padma Vibhushan:1992

V. Shantaram, renowned Indian producer-director-actor, most known for his films like "Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani" (1946), "Amar Bhoopali" (1951), "Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje" (1955), "Do Aankhen Barah Haath" (1957) and "Navrang" (1959), to the path breaking "Duniya Na Mane" (1937) and "Pinjara" (1973).

He directed his first film, "Netaji Pulkar" in 1927, and in 1929, founded the Prabhat Film Company along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/05/02/stories/2002050200380100.htm A navrang of Shantaram's films - Retrospective] "The Hindu", May 02, 2002.] , which he left in 1942 and to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai [ [http://www.prabhatfilm.com/founders.htm Founders] "Prabhat Film Company "] , in time 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2001/11/30/stories/2001113000910400.htm Well ahead of his times] "The Hindu", Nov 30, 2001.] .

He was awarded the Indian film industry's highest award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 1985 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1992.

Biography

V. Shantaram was born "Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram" [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/14188 Biography] British Film Institute.] , on November 18, 1901, in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur in present day Maharashtra [ [http://www.indianetzone.com/2/v.shantaram.htm V. Shantaram] Profiles at indianetzone.] .

V. Shantaram started his film career doing odd jobs in Maharashtra Film Co. owned by Baburao Painter at Kolhapur [ [http://www.indiaplaza.com/Promo/vshantaram/page2.shtml Biography - The V. Shantaram Centennial Collection] ] , growing up to debut as an actor in the silent film, Surekha Haran in 1921 [ [http://www.screenindia.com/old/20001208/falis.htm Remembering the Pioneer] screenindia.]

V. Shantaram had an illustrious career as a filmmaker for almost six decades, starting as an actor in the silent era films and later transitioning into a film director of Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was one of the early filmmakers to realize the efficacy of the film medium as an instrument of social change and used it successfully to advocate humanism on one hand and expose bigotry and injustice on the other.

He is the founder of Rajkamal Studios.

The highest accolade of the Indian film industry, for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was conferred on him in 1985 [http://www.ultraindia.com/movies/awards/vshantaram.htm 17th Awardee] Dada Saheb Phalke Awards, List of Awardees.] He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award in 1992 [ [http://india.gov.in/myindia/padmavibhushan_awards_list1.php Official List of Awardees] Padma Vibhushan.]

His autobiography titled, 'Shantaram' was published in Hindi and Marathi [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2033356.cms] .

V. Shantaram died on October 30, 1990 in Mumbai . The 'V. Shantaram Award' was consitituted by Central Government and Maharashtra State Government, and the V. Shantaram Motion Picture Scientific Research and Cultural Foundation, established in 1993, shortly after his death, and offers various awards to film makers, the award is presented on 18th November each year being Shantaram's birth anniversary .

Personal life

He married thrice; His first marriage was with Vimla, his second marriage was to the actress Jayashree, with whom he had two children: the actress Rajshree whom he launched in the film "Geet Gaya Patharon Ne" , and a son, Kiran Kumar, sometime sheriff of Bombay and Marathi film director.

His third wife was actress, Sandhya who was his co-star in "Do Aankhen Barah Haath" as well the heroine of his films like "Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje" and "Navrang". His other two children are Prabhat Kumar and Madhura Pandit, who is married to classical singer, Pandit Jasraj and have a daughter actress, Durga Jasraj [ [http://www.spicevienna.org/showPerson.php?p=7249 V. Durga Jasraj is his granddaughter Shantaram @ SPICE] ] .

Awards

* 1957: Filmfare Best Director Award: Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje
* 1958: National Film Award for Best Film: Do Aankhen Barah Haath

Biographies

* "V Shantaram: The Legacy of the Royal Lotus", by Kiran Shantaram, Sanjit Narwekar. 2003, Rupa & Co., ISBN 8129102188.
* "Profiles, five film-makers from India: V. Shantaram, Raj Kapoor, Mrinal Sen, Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak" by Shampa Banerjee. Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Development Corp, 1985. ISBN 8120100077.

References

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2001/11/30/stories/2001113000910400.htm 'Well ahead of his times', Article on V.Shantaram in 'The Hindu' dated Nov 30, 2001]
* [http://216.152.71.145/filmmakers/shantaram/shantaram.html]
* [http://www.indiaheritage.com/perform/cinema/history/shantaram.htm]
* [http://www.batchmates.com/channels/movie_magnum/indian/sitaare/shantaram.asp]
* [http://www.upperstall.com/people/shantaram.html]
*

External links

*imdb name|id=0788391|title=V. Shantaram
* [http://www.3to6.com/final_retro/lv.shantaram.htm]
* [http://www.upperstall.com/people/shantaram.html]