Ardeshir Irani, the father of talking films… know his life story – Dainik Savera Times

Mumbai: No genre related to films remained untouched by the father of Indian cinema, Ardeshir Irani. He made cine lovers crazy not only with his filmmaking talent but also with his direction, acting, writing, film distribution and cinematography. Ardeshir Irani was born on 05 December 1886 in Pune, Maharashtra. After his primary education, Ardeshir Irani studied art at J.J.Art School, Mumbai.

After this he started working as a teacher. Later he also worked as a kerosene inspector for some days. Leaving this job, he started helping his father in his musical instruments business. In this connection, he came in contact with many foreign companies and soon he started importing foreign films and exhibiting them. During this time, pleased with his work, the American Universal Company appointed him as its distributor in West India.

After some time, Irani realized that to make a place in the film world, he should have his own studio. In the year 1914 he purchased the Majestic and Alexander Theaters in collaboration with Abdul Ali and Yusuf Ali. In the year 1920, he produced his first silent film ‘Nal Damayanti’. During this time, he met Bhogi Lal Dave, former manager of Dadasaheb Phalke’s company ‘Hindustan Films’.

He then established ‘Star Films’ together with him. Under the banner of Star Films, he first produced the film ‘Veer Abhimanyu’. At that time, approximately Rs 10,000 was spent in the production of the film. Ardeshir Irani and Bhogilal Dave stopped working together after producing 17 films under the banner of Star Films.