Pr 1936
1936 - Sant Tukaram. The film stood apart because of its simplicity. Directed by V. Damle and Fattelal, it was awarded at the Venice Film Festival in 1937 - the first Indian film to be honoured thus.
One of the most revered saint-poets of Maharashtra, Tukaram was played by Vishnupant Pagnis. The saint's wife, Jijai, was played by Gauri who had joined the studio as an ordinary worker. A perfect casting since Tukaram, as also the other saint-poets, hailed from an ordinary background and transcended all social divisions because of his vision and charisma.
still listed among the world's best films by critics
Gayatri Chatterji on Sant Tukaram[1]
Ravi Vasudevan's Essay on Devotional Transformations
In 1936, Amar lyoti, an impressive spectacle made by Shantaram in Hindi and Marathi, was shown at the IV International Film Festival at Venice. Amar Jyoti had both Durga Khote and Shanta Apte, the two beautiful and successful stars of his earlier films. The Prabhat team used back-projection for the first time in this film, and the latest innovation of playback singers. Not only were the sets and drapery lavish and ornate, there was also a conscious attempt at achieving more than just telling a good story and telling it well. It was also one of the earliest films that took up cudgels on behalf of women. A wronged wife, rebelling against the different standards of morality for men and women, forms a group of other victims of similar injustice and becomes an outlaw. In keeping with the approach of the times, however, the woman outlaw becomes a dehumanized and bitter person,and is only redeemed through her natural and spontaneous love for a son who has never known her.
The strength of the theme, and the complicated background of intrigue and passion, are complemented by a conscious effort to make a a visually artistic and dramatic presentation. Amar Jyoti remains even today a stimulating cinematic experience. look up Dr. V Shantaram
