EXCLUSIVE.!!

FIRST COLOUR FILM OF INDIA..NOW 80!

  

- Manoj Kulkarni

Lead artists of India's first (real) colour film 'Kisan Kanya' (1937).

Writer of film..Manto!

When I wrote about the birth anniversary of great writer Manto..found that he wrote India's first colour film 'Kisan Kanya' which made in 1937 by 'Imperial Pictures'!..Means this film celebrated it's 80th anniversary!

Attempt of colour film 'Sairandhri' (1933).

Before this 'Prabhat Film Company' tried to make first colour film 'Sairandhri' in 1933..And for processing it's director V. Shantaram took it to 'UFA Studio' at Germany..But that technique failed and the colour turned out to be garish and film released in Black & White!

Producer 'Imperial's Ardeshir Irani.

Then in 1937..the first colour film to be produced & processed in India..was 'Kisan Kanya' by 'Imperial's Ardeshir Irani..who also made our India's first talkie film 'Alam Aara' (1931). Before this in silent era his film 'Nala Damayanti' (1920) was India's first international co-production..which was with Italy!

Poster of film 'Kisan Kanya' (1937).

Moti B. Gidwani directed this film 'Kisan Kanya' was based on a novel by Manto! This social film focused on the plight of poor farmers..the subject is still contemporary. Artists acted in it were Padmadevi, Jillo, Ghulam Mohammed, Nissar, Ghani & Syed Ahmed!

This Hindi Cinecolor feature film was India's first indigenously made colour movie..And was well received at theatres!!

Tribute to this first colour film of our India!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]