V. Shantaram
Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre (18 November 1901 – 30 October 1990), referred to as V. Shantaram, was an Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He is most known for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959), Duniya Na Mane (1937), Pinjra (1972), Chani, Iye Marathiche Nagari and Zunj.
He directed his first film, Netaji Palkar in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction. He left Prabhat in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kalamandir" in Mumbai. In time, 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.
He was praised by Chaplin for his Marathi film Manoos. Chaplin reportedly liked the film very much.
Early life
Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre was born on 18 November 1901 in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur (in present-day Maharashtra) into a Maharashtrian Jain family.