In 1920, Sampat founded the Kohinoor Film Company, and went on to become a legend. Not least because he had a pet tiger! He introduced wooden sets, doing away with the painted sceneries of the past.

He made 98 films between 1919-1929. Some of them:

In 1920 - Vikram Urvashi.
The film starred Leena Valentine, who was billed as the'blue-eyed fairy of the screen.' During intermission, Valentine would appear on stage!

In 1921 -
- Anusuya.
The actress Sakinabai appeared nude in the film, but the censors allowed it!

- Bhakta Vidur.
The film was banned in Hyderabad (Sind) because the protagonist bore a strong resemblance to Mahatma Gandhi. The District Magistrate of Karachi ordered the ban, saying ''it is likely to excite disaffection against the government and incite people to non-cooperation.''

In 1923 - a fire at the studio destroyed negatives of the company's films. However, artistes and technicians were most cooperative and Eastman Kodak willingly granted further credit for raw film stock.

In 1924 - Kala Nag.

In 1925 - Handsome Blackguard.

In 1926 - Telephone Girl.

With the advent of sound, the studio faded into history

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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