Chandulal Jaisingh Bhai Shah (English: Chandulal Jesangbhai Shah, born- 13 April, 1898, Gujarat; died- 25 November, 1975, Mumbai) was a famous director, producer and screenwriter of Hindi films. He is counted among the famous personalities of Indian cinema history. In a way, he came into films by accident. He astounded everyone by becoming the most skilled commercial filmmaker of his time. Even if it was a coincidence, after coming to this area Chandulal Shah never looked back. If he had not come into this field, Hindi commercial cinema would have suffered a loss, because experimental filmmakers like Chandulal Shah have also played a big role in the way Hindi commercial cinema is today.
birth and education
Chandulal Shah was born on April 13, 1898 in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He completed his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree with commerce subject. After completing his education, he got engaged in stock market business. Chandulal’s elder brother Dayaram Shah also used to work in buying and selling of shares, but along with this he also used to write stories for films. From time to time, Chandulal used to lend a hand to his elder brother.
film direction
Chandulal Shah got an opportunity to direct a film by chance in 1925. In fact, he used to go to the studio to watch the shooting of stories written by his elder brother. There he used to spend time with the directors in a very friendly manner. Sometimes he would also give his suggestions, which were very refreshing and the directors would like them at first sight. Directors praised him and said that one day he would definitely become a great director. This sentence came true and soon that day came. The shooting of a film named ‘Vimala’ of ‘Lakshmi Film Company’ was going on, suddenly the film’s director Manilal Joshi fell ill. Joshi ji suggested the producer to hire Chandulal as the director. The producer did the same and Chandulal Shah completely lived up to the expectations placed on him. He completed the film on time. ‘Lakshmi Film Company’ liked his work very much and in the same year the company gave him two more films to direct.
Success
After the completion of these two films, Chandulal Shah again returned to the world of stock market, but it was written in his destiny to become a film director. For the second time too, his entry into film direction happened by chance, but this time he came into this field forever. What happened was that Homi Master was directing the film ‘Shiri Farhad’. One day when he was explaining some scenes to the artists, he slipped and fell and broke his leg. Groaning in pain, he remembered Chandulal Shah and Chandulal appeared. He accepted to direct the film, but changed the script. The film became a hit and Chandulal Shah also became established in the film field.
expert director
Chandulal Shah proved to be a very adept director. He had a strong foundation for every plan of his. This is the reason why actors were always satisfied with him, which can be gauged from the fact that he got big actors and actresses of that time to do even small roles. Sulochana was the heroine in the film ‘Typist Girl’ made in 1926. Actress Gauhar played a small role in that film. Whereas before this Gauhar had never played any other role other than that of a heroine.
professional skills
Chandulal Shah went ahead of all his contemporary directors and became special because he decided that he would not make mythological films like other filmmakers. He also decided to make films with social issues. This decision was not a trivial decision in those days, because making mythological films was the most secure from the business point of view in those days. It was Chandulal Shah who started the trend of making Hindi films by copying Hollywood films. In 1928, he made four films named ‘Vishwa Mohani’, ‘Griha Lakshmi’, ‘Chandramukhi’ and ‘Raj Lakshmi’ for ‘Jagadish Film Company’. These four films were based on Adarsh Abla’s formula. A central message in all his films was that wives should not be servants to their husbands, but friends. It was unimaginable to think this in the then society. Therefore, the people of India found this idea very fresh and attractive.
In 1929, Chandulal Shah and Gauhar together established ‘Ranjit Film Company’ with their friend Bitthaldas Thakur. This business partnership of both continued for 35 years. Chandulal Shah used to make films in a very systematic manner. His and Gauhar’s partnership was also very wonderful. Both of them carried on their business with great efficiency. In those days, 600 people worked in his studio, from which it can be estimated how large-scale the business had become. Chandulal Shah basically made two types of films – first, social films, which were full of sentiments, and second, stunt films, which had more action. The budget of stunt films was higher than that of social films, because in those days they required a large number of horses, costumes of princes and princesses, etc.
Chandulal Shah’s business acumen can also be gauged from the fact that despite the advent of sound, his empire of the silent era did not collapse, but remained standing with full identity. Chandulal Shah made more than 100 films between 1931-1946. No single studio had produced so many films in India.
film direction
Following are some of the main films, which were directed by Chandulal Shah-
Typist Girl – 1925 Vishwamohini – 1928 Grihalakshmi – 1928 Rajputani – 1929 Bikharan – 1929 Rajlakshmi – 1930 Sati Savitri – 1932 Radha Rani – 1932 Miss 1933 – 1933 Gunasundari – 1934 Precious Tears – 1935 Sipahi Ki Sajni – 1936 Prabhu’s Beloved – 1936 The Untouchable – 1940 The Sinner – 1953
script writing
Along with film direction, Chandulal Shah also did the work of screenwriting for films, such as-
Sati Savitri – 1932 Gunasundari – 1934 Untouchable – 1940 Papi – 1953 Don’t Live Alone – 1963
demise
Chandulal Shah’s last film was ‘Papi’, which he made in 1953. Chandulal Shah, who left his indelible mark in film direction 25 November, 1975 at the age of 77 Mumbai Died in.
