Dhirendranath Gangopadhyaya or Dhiren Ganguly as he was affectionately called, was born in 1893 and is regarded as one of the founders of the Bengal film industry. He had served as headmaster at Nizam's Art College, Hyderabad (State:AndhraPradesh) before turning to film making.

The political scene was volatile when Ganguly entered the world of films. In 1919, General Dyers had ordered troop-firing upon a peaceful gathering at Jallianwalla Bagh, Amritsar (state: Punjab). Rabindra Nath Tagore returned his knighthood. The British government of India jailed Mahatma Gandhi, clamped down upon the media and films were subjected to heavy censoring. The Calcutta Board of Censors denied certificates to 13 of the 49 films up before it, severely cutting the rest.

Ganguly and Nitish Chandra Laharry set up Indo-British Film Company in 1921.

In 1921 - Bilet Pherat or England Returned.
A comedy on the assumed mannerisms and confusion of an England-returned Indian. The film was very successful, and remains their biggest hit.

In 1922 - Sadhu Ke Shaitan.

In 1923 - the partnership broke up.

Ganguly returned to Hyderabad, and under the Nizam's patronage, formed the Lotus Film Company. He remained lucky with the comedies Lady Teacher and The Marriage Tonic.

In 1924 - Razia Begum was released at Ganguly's theatre. The film dealt with Razia Sultana, the daughter of Iltutmish (the most powerful ruler of the Slave Dynasty) and ruler after him. Her love for an Abyssinian slave had enraged the nobility then as the movie now enraged the Nizam. Ganguly was ordered to leave Hyderabad within a day.

In 1928, Ganguly returned to Calcutta and set up British Dominion Film Company.

In 1930 -
- Flames of Flesh.
The film on the life of the celebrated beauty, Rani Padmini of Chittor, was shot in Amber Palace, Rajasthan.

- Panchashar.

SOURCE

So Many Cinemas.
Author - B.D. Garga
Publishers - Eminence Designs Private Limited.

Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema.
Author -Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen
Publishers -Oxford University Press.

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