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India Heritage:Performing Arts:Cinema In India:History:The Pioneers
Chandulal Shah (1898-1975) Ranjit Flim Company
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Keenly interested in the stock exchange, Shah chanced into cinema in 1924. The director of Laxmi Films took ill and Shah was called upon to direct Vimla! He worked awhile at Kohinoor Film Company , and Miss Gohar starred in all five films. Two of them :
In 1926 - Typist Girl.

In 1927 - Gun Sundari.
The film broke away from the stereotypical submissive woman as the ideal. The wife (in this film) was a strong-charactered woman who retained her individuality and won her husband to her point of view.

As a matter of fact, most of Shah's films questioned the accepted image of women as weak and long-suffering.

Later, Shah and Miss Gohar joined Jagdish Films.

In 1928 -
- Vishwa Mohini.

- Griha Lakshmi.

In 1929 - Chandramukhi.

In 1930 - Raj Laxmi.

Shah's favourite star acted in all four.

Together, Shah and Miss Gohar formed Ranjit Film Company, and the partnership lasted 3 decades. They produced more than 30 silent films before the talkies arrived. Ranjit Film Company was renamed Ranjit Movietone and then continued the run of success. 'Film mill' was the adjective often used to describe their company - a systematic and streamlined production system that created one hit after another. Some films:


In 1929 - Rajputani.

In 1930 -
- Castles in the Air.

- Desh Dipak.

- Outlaw of Sorath.

- Rasili Radha.

In 1932 - Toofan Mail.

In 1934 - Gun Sundari (talkie version).

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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