V. Shantaram

Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre (18 November 1901 – 30 October 1990) referred to as V. Shantaram was an Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He is most known for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959), Duniya Na Mane (1937), Pinjra (1972), Chani, Iye Marathiche Nagari and Zunj.

He directed his first film, "Netaji Palkar" in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction. He left Prabhat in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai. In time, 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.

He was praised by Chaplin for his Marathi film Manoose. Chaplin reportedly liked the film very much.

Early life
Shantaram was born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre on 18 November 1901 in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur (in present day Maharashtra) viswakarma in Maharashtrian family.

Career
V. Shantaram started his film career doing odd jobs in Maharashtra Film Co. owned by Baburao Painter at Kolhapur. He went on to debut as an actor in the silent film, Surekha Haran in 1921.

Shantaram, fondly known as Annasaheb, had an illustrious career as a filmmaker for almost six decades. He was one of the early filmmakers to realize the efficacy of the film medium as an instrument of social change and used it successfully to advocate humanism on one hand and expose bigotry and injustice on the other. V. Shantaram had a very keen interest in music. It is said that he "ghost wrote" music for many of his music directors, and took a very active part in the creation of music. Some of his songs had to rehearsed several times before which they were approved by V. Shantaram.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was conferred on him in 1985. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992.

His autobiography Shantarama was published in Hindi and Marathi.

Shantaram died on 30 October 1990 in Mumbai. The V. Shantaram Award was consitituted by Central Government and Maharashtra State Government. The V. Shantaram Motion Picture Scientific Research and Cultural Foundation, established in 1993, offers various awards to film makers. The award is presented annually on 18 November.

Personal life
Shantaram married thrice. His first marriage was to Vimla. He then married actress Jayashree, with whom he had three children-Marathi film director Kiran, actress Rajshree and Tejasri

His third wife, actress Sandhya, was his co-star in Do Aankhen Barah Haath as well the heroine of his films like ''Pandit Jasraj is the mother of Durga Jasraj.

He introduced Rajshree and Jeetendra in the 1964 film Geet Gaya Patharon Ne. He also introduced his niece Ranjana Deshmukh into the marathi film industry through Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jaali, directed by Kiran Shantaram in 1975. Ranjana dominated the Marathi silver screen in 70s and 80s.He used to live at Panhala.His son has maintained his house and converted it in a hotel Valley View.

Filmography

 * As Actor
 * Sinhagad, 1923
 * Savkari Pash,1925
 * Stri, 1961
 * Parchhai, 1952
 * As Director and Producer 
 * Netaji Palekar, 1927.
 * Gopal Krishna, 1929
 * Udaykal, 1930
 * Rani Sahiba, 1930
 * Khooni Khanjar, 1930
 * Chandrasena, 1931
 * Maya Machindra, 1932
 * Jalti Nishani, 1932
 * Ayodhya Ka Raja, 1932
 * Sinhagad, 1933
 * Sairandhri, 1933
 * Amrit Mantham, 1934
 * Dharmatma, 1935
 * Chandrasena, 1935
 * Amar Jyoti, 1936
 * Duniya Na Mane, 1937
 * Manoos, 1939
 * Admi, 1939
 * Padosi, 1941
 * Shakuntala, 1943
 * Parbat Pe Apna Dera, 1944
 * Maali, 1944
 * Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, 1946
 * Lokshahir Ramjoshi, 1947
 * Apna Desh, 1949
 * Dahej, 1950
 * Amar Bhopali, 1951
 * Parchhaiyan, 1952
 * Teen Batti Char Raste, 1953
 * Surang, 1953
 * Subah Ka Tara, 1954
 * Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, 1955
 * Toofan Aur Diya, 1956
 * Do Aankhen Barah Haath, 1957
 * Navrang, 1959
 * Stri, 1961
 * Sehra, 1963
 * Geet Gaya Patharon Ne, 1964
 * Ladki Sahyadri Ki, 1966
 * Boond Jo Ban Gaye Moti, 1967
 * Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli, 1971
 * Apna Desh, 1972
 * Pinjra, 1973
 * Jhanjhar, 1987


 * As Producer
 * Banwasi, 1948
 * Sehra, 1963
 * Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne, 1964
 * Ladki Sahyadri Ki, 1966
 * Jal Bina Machali Nritya Bina Bijli, 1971
 * Raja Rani Ko Chahiye Pasina, 1978
 * Jhanjhar, 1987

Source: IMDB

Won

 * National Film Awards
 * 1955 - All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film - Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje
 * 1955 - President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi - Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje
 * 1957 - President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film - Do Aankhen Barah Haath
 * 1957 - President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi - Do Aankhen Barah Haath
 * 1957: Filmfare Award for Best Director: Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje
 * 1958: Berlin International Film Festival, OCIC Award: Do Aankhen Barah Haath
 * 1958: Berlin International Film Festival, Silver Bear (Special Prize): Do Aankhen Barah Haath
 * 1985: Dadasaheb Phalke Award
 * 1992: Padma Vibhushan

Nominated

 * 1951: Cannes Film Festival, Grand Prize: Amar Bhoopali (The Immortal Song)
 * 1959: Golden Globe Awards, Samuel Goldwyn Award: Do Aankhen Barah Haath

Biographies

 * Shantaram, Kiran & Narwekar, Sanjit; V Shantaram: The Legacy of the Royal Lotus, 2003, Rupa & Co., ISBN 81-291-0218-8.
 * Banerjee, Shampa; Profiles, five film-makers from India: V. Shantaram, Raj Kapoor, Mrinal Sen, Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Development Corp, 1985.