V Shantaram’s ‘Savkari Pash’: A landmark movie that changed an Indian actor’s life is celebrating its 100th anniversary

This 100-year-old movie is regarded as a ‘milestone film’ in Indian cinema. It is considered to be among the ‘earliest examples’ of parallel cinema, which aimed to portray actual societal difficulties. It is sometimes said that it is the acting debut of a well-known figure who began his career performing odd work for an Indian film production firm. In addition, he was famous for being a renowned Indian screenwriter, director, and producer. Charlie Chaplin commended him for his Marathi film, Manoos.

You guessed right: the actor’s name is V Shantaram (Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre), and the film’s title is ‘Savkari Pash’ (1925). This movie was regarded as his second collaboration with Baburao Painter, the founder of the Maharashtra Film Company. Surekha Haran, his debut silent film, was helmed by Baburao Painter in 1921. He was a filmmaker for about 70 years. He became aware of the cinema medium’s effectiveness as a tool for social change while collaborating with Baburao Painter.

Netaji Palkar (1927) was V Shantaram’s debut motion picture as a director. Together with K.R. Dhaiber, he founded the Prabhat Film Company in 1929. In 1932, he released the first Marathi talkie, titled ‘Ayodhyecha Raja,’ which translates to ‘The King of Ayodhya.’ The puranic tale of Raja Harishchandra of Ayodhyay and his trial by the sage Vishwamitra, which is told in Valmiki’s epic Ramayana, serves as its basis. In the same year, the movie was also released in Hindi under the title ‘Ayodhyay Ka Raja.’ According to some, this film was Indian cinema’s first double version talkie.

He left Prabhat Co. in 1942 to establish Mumbai’s ‘Rajkamal Kalamandir.’ When it was built, it became known as one of the most advanced studios in India. In Geet Gaya Patharon Ne, he introduced his daughter Rajshree and Jeetendra. Amar Bhoopali (1951), Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Duniya Na Mane (1937), Navrang (1959) etc are a few of his well appreciated films.

V Shantaram has won numerous accolades for his contributions to the film industry. He won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985, and the Technical Grand Prize for Direction at the Cannes Film Festival in 1952, to mention two accolades. Posthumously, he received the Padma Vibhushan.

Shantaram was one of the few individuals who represented Indian cinema abroad and took home a prize from the Cannes Film Festival during early fifties. He produced Hindi and Marathi films. Additionally, he was honoured at the Berlin International Film Festival. He received the National Film Awards and the Golden Globe. Shantaram also won the Best Director prize from Filmfare.

The great filmmaker passed away in Mumbai in 1990.