From a family of master shipbuilders, the Wadia brothers changed course and founded Wadia Movietone in 1933.

Some films --

1933 - Lal-e-Yaman.

In this film, Fearless Nadia had the part of a chorus girl. She was the star of the studio's later action films that fired the public imagination.

Her real name was Mary Evans, and she had been a circus artiste in Zacko's Russian troupe and a ballet dancer in Madame Astrova's ballet troupe. She later married Homi Wadia who was also the director of her films!

1935 - Desh Dipak.

- Hunterwali.

The movie was an absolute hit and spawned an entire genre of daring stunt films, featuring the Robin Hood-like protagonist. Nadia performed her amazing action sequences herself, thereby endearing herself to the public. In this and later films, the actor Sayani (who always played the villain) and a horse named Punjab Ka Beta were staples. The character became a cult of sorts - whips, masks, shoes and belts with the Hunterwali logo were the rage.

1936 - Miss Frontier Mail.

The most famous of the 'train films' with a spectacular fight scene atop a moving train.

1937 - Hurricane Hansa.

1938 - Lutaru Lalna.

1939 - Punjab Mail.

1940 - Diamond Queen.

This film had Nadia's magical car Rolls Royce-Ki-Beti.

1941 - Bambaiwali.

- Rajnartaki.

Based on the Bengali play by Manmatha Ray, the film was about the love between a prince and a court dancer. Sadhona Bose starred as the dancer, and choreographed the dance sequences that remain unforgettable. The film was unfortunately a box-office failure.

1942 - Jungle Princess.

- Muqabala.

In the same year, Wadia Movietone sold out to V. Shantaram who later sited his Rajkamal Kalamandir at the very place.

The Wadia brothers continued making films and Fearless Nadia acted.

1943 - Hunterwali Ki Beti.

1946 - Lady Robin Hood.

- Toofan Queen.

Many more films followed till the seventies.

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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