Dr. V. Shantaram (born Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram; 18 November 1901 – 30 October 1990) was a visionary Indian filmmaker whose work spanned nearly seven decades. As an actor, director, producer, editor, and innovator, he left an indelible mark on Indian cinema by pioneering social themes, technical firsts, and powerful storytelling.
Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Shantaram began his film journey in the silent era—working odd jobs at Maharashtra Film Co. and debuting in the 1921 silent film Surekha Haran.In 1927, he directed his first film Netaji Palkar, and in 1929 co-founded the iconic Prabhat Film Company.
Shantaram introduced numerous cinematic innovations: Ayodhyecha Raja (1932) was the first Marathi talkie and India’s first bilingual (Marathi–Hindi) film.Sairandhri (1933) is acknowledged as India's first colour film, although its German processing issues mostly relegated it to black-and-white. He also pioneered India’s first children’s film (Rani Saheba, 1930), first use of telephoto lens (Amrit Manthan, 1934), and early use of trolley and back-projection.
Shantaram was deeply committed to socially relevant storytelling. Films such as Manoos (1939), Duniya Na Maane (1937), Dharmatma (1935), and Padosi (1941) tackled issues like caste discrimination, women’s rights, communal harmony, and prostitution—long before mainstream cinema embraced these themes. Charlie Chaplin reportedly praised Manoos as one of the most powerful Indian films.
In 1943, Shantaram founded a new studio Rajkamal Kalamandir and produced his acclaimed works including Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), and Navrang (1959). Do Aankhen Barah Haath, based on a real open-prison experiment, won the President’s Gold Medal, a Silver Bear at Berlin Film Festival, and a Golden Globe Award for best foreign film.
He received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985 and was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. His legacy continues through the annual V. Shantaram Award and the V. Shantaram Foundation founded in 1993. A commemorative postage stamp was issued on 17 November 2001.
V. Shantaram remains one of India’s most influential filmmakers—blending artistic innovation with social conscience, and continuously shaping national cinema.
Trivia Points About Dr. V. Shantaram
- Born 18 November 1901 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
- Debuted as Lord Krishna in silent film Surekha Haran (1921)
- Directed first film Netaji Palkar in 1927.
- Co‑founded Prabhat Film Company in 1929
- Made Rani Saheba (1930), India’s first children’s film.
- Directed Ayodhyecha Raja (1932): India's first Marathi talkie and bilingual film.
- Produced Sairandhri (1933), India’s first colour film attempt.
- Employed telephoto lens in Amrit Manthan (1934).
- Made socially aware classics: Manoos, Duniya Na Maane, Padosi, Dharmatma.
- Charlie Chaplin praised Manoos as culturally powerful.
- Founded Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1943.
- Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) won Silver Bear Berlin and Golden Globe.
- Won Filmfare Best Director Award for Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955).
- Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985.
- India Post issued stamp in his honor in 2001.