V. Shantaram is an institution who commands incredible respect in the industry. The kind of film making techniques and ideas he possessed during his time are not found in today's generation. He has his own place in the history of Indian cinema and is an inspiration for many a newcomer in the industry.
He was an actor, director and producer all rolled into one. Right from his first film, Netaji Palkar as a director, he churned out many memorable films which have become a landmark in the film world. But this deep-rooted understanding and penchant for cinema did not come with just one film or filmmaking experience. Shantaram made innumerable mistakes, faced rejection and came across dead ends before he could achieve the status he has today. No one has able to match his achievements. As a young man, Shantaram started working in the railways, before he discovered his interest in films and quit this job to fulfil his dreams. His first job was in a cinema hall where he thought his dreams would take concrete shape. But this was not to be so. He found that he would have to wait some more. Finally Dame luck smiled on the man and his enthusiasm. Shantaram got the opportunity to work with the renowned director, Babubhai Painter. He became a part of Babubhai's production company, Maharashtra Films, and it was here that he learnt all the mechanics of filmmaking. But he first shone as an actor with the film, Surekha Haran, in 1921. Despite his success, he was restless and wanted to do more.
After a nine-year-long association with Maharashtra Films, he finally quit the company in 1929 to form his own production house, Prabhat Films. He was not alone though. With him were his four friends and partners - Vishupant Damle, Sitaram Kulkarni, Fattelal and Keshavrao Dhaiber. As fate would have it, Prabhat grew by leaps and bounds. Shantaram made many films like Ayodhya Ka Raja and Amritmanthan which brought superstars like Durga Khote and Shanta Apte into the limelight. Amritmanthan went on to become one of the biggest hits in Shantaram's career. In the year 1942, when India was in the throes of the Quit India movement, Shantaram established his own studio, Rajkamal Kalamandir which has become one of the most famous studios in Mumbai. Shakuntala was the first film which was made under this banner and launched the beautiful actress, Jayashree. Later, he married his heroine.
Shantaram is known more as a director than as an actor. As an actor, he did films like Sinhagad, Udaykal, Parbat Pe Apna Dera and Stree which brought him fame and recognition the world over. He was a doyen whose techniques and imagination knew no bounds.
