Himanshu Rai is a Not so popular name to most of people. But his contribution to the Indian cinema industry is so much remarkable.
If you also have no idea about him, it is the right place to know. So let’s get ready to know about him.
Page Contents
About Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Rai belongs to a respectable Bengali family. He was a law student and attained his law degree from Kolkata but afterward went to London to study to become Barrister.
Although his educational career doesn’t match with his professional career. But there is an interesting reason behind this, in London, he came across Niranjan Pal who was a playwright and a screenwriter. From there, his life turned in the opposite direction.
Bombay Talkies
Himanshu Rai established ‘Bombay Talkies’ in 1931 along with Devika Rani (who was also his wife).
Bombay Talkies is the most popular and one of the old studios of the Indian Cinema Industry. And the studio’s headquarter was located in Malad of Maharashtra.
Although the studio was established by the couple Himanshu included Sashadhar Mukherjee and Sashadhar’s brother-in-law as his partner.
‘Bombay Talkies’ produced total 40 movies. Although the company left the business in 1953 but the last film produced by it was released in 1954.
Between its whole journey, it took over by many persons.
After the death of Himanshu in 1940, his wife took over the company. And after Devika Rani’s retirement, it was taken over by Ashok Kumar and Sashadhar Mukherjee.
The biggest hit movie, produced by the studio was ‘Kismet’ in 1943. The another super hit movie under ‘Bombay Talkies’ was ‘Mahal’.
Gradually, Mukherjee started forming ‘Filmistan Studio’ which made Rani fully in charge of the studio.
After the second marriage of Devika Rani in 1945, she left the position of fully in charge of the studio. Afterward, the studio changed into a useless property.
Film Career
Although Himanshu Rai was famous as the founder of ‘Bombay Talkies’, nevertheless he was a multi-talented person in the Indian Cinema Industry. He was a producer, director, writer, and actor as well.
Under ‘Bombay Talkies’, the film ‘Karma’ had both, he and his wife (Devika Rani) as the lead actors.
Have you ever hear about ‘Bombay Talkies’ Studio? I think most of the people are aware of a film named ‘Bombay Talkies’ but not about the studio.
Have you ever thought about the movie that crossed 100 crores for the first time in Bollywood ?
Which was the first color movie of Indian Cinema .
Hope you find this article useful. Let me know in the comment section if I missed out any points.