Phani Majumdar was a pioneering Indian film director, who worked in Bengali and Hindi cinema, most known for his film Street Singer (1938) starring K.L. Saigal noted for its song, Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaye, Meena Kumari classic Aarti (1962) and Oonche Log (1965). He also worked in Singapore, where he notably made Hang Tuah (1955) in Malay, which was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.Awards IMDb
Career Starting in 1930s, with leading film director P.C. Barua at New Theatres Studio of Calcutta founded by B. N. Sircar, who during this period made classics like Devdas (1935). He moved to Bombay in 1941 and worked with Bombay Talkies studio, he made Tamanna (1942) with Suraiya and Mohabbat (1943) with Shanta Apte and Andolan (1951). He made films in Punjabi, Magadhi (Bhaiya, 1961) and Maithili (Kanyadaan, 1965). His Oonch Log was actor Feroz Khan's first hit and won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.
Noted film director-producer Shakti Samanta assisted Majumdar in Tamasha, Baadbaan and Dhobi Doctor at Bombay Talkies before working independently.
He was married to Monica Desai, sister of actress, Leela Desai.
Filmography YearFilmDirectorWriterNotes1938Street SingerK.L. Saigal, Hindi1938SathiK. L. Saigal, Bengali version of Street Singer1943Mohabbat1948Hum Bhi Insaan Hain1952Tamasha (screenplay)Dev Anand, Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, KaushalyaGoonjSuraiya (Heroine), Suresh(Hero), Producer: H.S Kwatra, Story & Lyrics: D. N. Madhok, Sardul Kwatra1954Baadbaan (story)1956Hang TuahMalay languageAnak-ku SazaliMalay language1957Kaseh SayangMalay language1958Doktor (story)Malay languageSri MenantiMalay language1961Bhaiyaa (story)Magahi1962AartiMeena Kumari, Ashok Kumar1965KanyadanMaithili languageAkashdeepKaajalOonche LogNational Film Award for Second Best Feature Film in HindiFeroz Khan's first hit1978Badalte Rishtey1986Ek Chadar Maili Si Note:Films in Hindi-language unless mentioned otherwise.
Awards National Film Awards 1961: All India Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Children's Film - Savitri 1965: Second Best Feature Film: Oonch Log
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