Ardeshir Irani, widely regarded as the ‘father of Indian talkies,’ made an indelible mark on the Indian film industry by introducing sound to Indian cinema. His most famous work, “Alam Ara,” released in 1931, was India’s first talkie. However, Irani’s contributions didn’t stop there; he also gave India its first indigenously made color film.
Early Life and Background
Born on December 5, 1886, Ardeshir Irani was the son of Iranian immigrants who had fled to India to escape religious persecution. Irani began his professional life as a teacher and briefly worked as a kerosene inspector. However, driven by a desire to achieve bigger goals, he soon took up his father’s business of selling musical instruments.
Stepping into the Film Industry
Irani’s journey into the film industry began with a stroke of luck when he won a lottery of Rs 14,000, a substantial amount at the time. This windfall provided him the financial means to enter the film business. He started as a film distributor, showcasing movies in ‘tent cinemas’ with projectors. This venture was done in collaboration with Abdulally Esoofally, an early film entrepreneur, and marked the beginning of a long working relationship.
“This started a cinema-viewing culture,” said researcher and writer Sharon Irani. “Tent cinemas were set up in maidans, and then inside old theatre houses…much before cinema halls and multiplexes came into existence. Before the ‘tambu’ talkies, ‘lavani’ and ‘tamasha’ had been sources of entertainment…but tent shows changed the way you entertained in those times.”
In 1905, Irani became the Indian representative of Universal Studios, bringing Hollywood movies to the Indian audience. He soon began running the Alexander Theatre with Esoofally, where he learned the intricacies of filmmaking and production. His admiration for Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, inspired him to produce his first film, “Nala Dayamanti,” in 1920.
Establishing Studios and Making Landmark Films
In 1926, Irani founded Imperial Films Studio, where he made over 60 films. This studio was the birthplace of “Alam Ara,” a film that forever changed the landscape of Indian cinema. The inspiration for “Alam Ara” came from Universal Pictures’ “Show Boat” (1929), a 40% talkie that Irani saw at Excelsior. This experience sparked the idea of making an Indian talkie film. Despite having no experience and no precedents to follow, Irani decided to move forward with the project.
“Alam Ara” set a new precedent for Indian cinema, integrating music and dance into its narrative. The film featured seven songs, establishing the format that would become a hallmark of Indian movies. Scholar Shoma Chatterjee noted, “With the release of Alam Ara, Indian cinema proved two things — films could now be made in regional languages that local viewers could understand; and that songs and music were integral parts of the entire form and structure of the Indian film.”
Irani’s innovative approach extended beyond Indian borders. In 1933, he made “Lor Girl,” the first-ever Persian sound film. The movie, set in post-World War I Iran, featured a couple escaping to India from their lawless homeland. It was the first Iranian film to feature a woman in the lead role. Irani also directed “Kisan Kanya” (1937), India’s first indigenously made color movie, based on a novel by Saadat Hasan Manto focusing on the plight of farmers.
Impact on the Film Industry
“Alam Ara” marked the end of the silent film era in India. The introduction of sound revolutionized the industry, changing the very idea of filmmaking. Silent projectors were replaced with sound equipment, and theatres were made soundproof. ‘Hindustani,’ a blend of Hindi and Urdu, became a popular language in Indian cinema. The success of “Alam Ara” also helped Indian films gain precedence over American and British movies, a feat that had been elusive for many years.
Irani also introduced artificial lighting in filmmaking. Before this, films were shot in natural light, leaving production schedules at the mercy of the weather. His decision to shoot indoors under heavy lights made filmmaking more economical and convenient, paving the way for future innovations in the industry.
Legacy and Final Years
Irani’s influence extended to various languages and genres. He made films in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Burmese, Farsi, and English. He continued to make movies until 1945, with some sources suggesting that his filmography included up to 200 films. His last film, “Pujari,” was released in 1945. During World War II, Irani suspended film production due to the tumultuous times.
Ardeshir Irani passed away on October 14, 1969, at the age of 82. His legacy, however, lives on in the vibrant and diverse world of Indian cinema. Today, Indian cinema produces around 1,800 films a year, attracting audiences from over 90 countries. The grandeur, extravagance, and unique storytelling style of Indian films owe much to Irani’s pioneering spirit and ambition.
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