Seeta Devi

Seeta Devi (born Renee Smith, 1905-1983) was one of early stars of silent films in Indian film industry.

Career

Himansu Rai casted Smith, an Anglo-Indian, in "Prem Sanyas", the movie which is more well-known by its English title: "The Light of Asia". This was her debut film as Seeta Devi, and it made her a star immediately. Later she acted under the banner of Madan Theatres also.

Three of her most successful films were: "The Light of Asia", "Shiraz", "Prapancha Pash". All these three movies were made by collaboration of German film director Franz Osten and Indian actor-producer Himangsu Rai along with Bavarian company Emelka. [ [http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001341/134149eo.pdf "Indian Films and Western Audiences", An article by Jerzy Toeplitz, from Unesco website] ] This unique trilogy were connected to three different religions and based on three different stories of Indian History/Mythology: "The Light of Asia" was based on life of Buddha, "Shiraz" was based on construction of Taj Mahal and "Prapancha Pash", better known by its English title "A Throw of Dice", was based on a story from Mahabharata. Seeta Devi was the leading actress in all these three films, though the role in "Shiraz" was that of 'other woman'.

Three of her other successful films, "Durgesh Nandini", "Kapal Kundala" and "Krishnakanter Will" were based on popular novels of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

Many believed that Renee Smith and her sister Percy Smith alternatively appeared as 'Seeta Devi'. [ [http://www.indianetzone.com/2/actresses_indian_cinema.htm Article from Indiannetzone.com on Bolloywood Actresses] ] [ [http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/slideshows/20s/20-4.htm A slideshow from Hindustan Times website] ]

Filmography

* Prem Sanyas (1925) (German title: Leuchte Asiens, Die, English Title: The Light of Asia)
* Krishnakanter Will (1926)
* Durgesh Nandini (1927)
* Shiraz (1928) (German title: Grabmal einer großen Liebe, Das)
* Sarala (1928) (Hindi title: Swarnalata)
* Loves of a Moghul Prince (1928) (Urdu title: Anarkali; also 'Rajmahal Ni Ramani')
* Bhrantri (1928) (English title: Mistake)
* Kapal Kundala (1929)
* Prapancha Pash (1929) (English title: A Throw of Dice, German title: Schicksalswürfel)
* Bharat Ramani (1930) (English title: The Enchantress of India)
* Kal Parinaya (1930) (English title: Fatal Marriage)

References

External links

*
* [http://www.athrowofdice.com Website on re-release of "A Throw of Dice"]
* [http://www.abasar.net/filmOthers.htm#seetaa Bengali article from abasar.net]