V. Shantaram

Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor

Born: November 18, 1901 · Died: October 30, 1990

Famous Persons

Who was V. Shantaram?

V. Shantaram (born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre; Marathi: [ʋiː ʃaːn̪t̪aɾaːm]; 18 November 1901 – 30 October 1990), also known as Shantaram Bapu, was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and editor known for his work in Hindi and Marathi films. Shantaram began his career as an actor and technician at the Maharashtra Film Company in Kolhapur before co-founding the Prabhat Film Company in 1929 with V. G. Damle, Sheikh Fatelal, K. R. Dhaiber and S. B. Kulkarni.

Historical significance

Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, he was known for his socially conscious films, innovative filmmaking techniques and experimentation with colour, sound and cinematography. He is best known for films such as 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), Pinjara (1972), Chaani, Iye Marathiche Nagari and Zunj. He directed several influential films for Prabhat, including Ayodhyecha Raja (1932), one of the earliest Marathi talkies, and Kunku (1937), which was released in Hindi as Duniya Na Mane. V. Shantaram, also known as Shantaram Bapu, was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and editor known for his work in Hindi and Marathi films.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“V. Shantaram.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/v-shantaram/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

APA

V. Shantaram. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/v-shantaram/

Chicago

“V. Shantaram.” thisDay. Accessed November 3, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/v-shantaram/.

Found an error? Let us know.