List of Hindi films of 1931 explained

A list of films produced by the Hindi film industry based in Bombay in 1931:

1931

1931 was a ground-breaking year for Indian cinema. The first Hindi Talkie Alam Ara was released on 14 March 1931 in Mumbai's Majestic Cinema.[1] The film was produced by Imperial Movietone and directed by Ardeshir Irani. It starred Master Vithal, Zubeida, Prithviraj Kapoor and Wazir Mohammed Khan. The first song to be sung in films was by Wazir Mohammed Khan for Alam Ara, "De De Khuda Ke Naam Par" under the music direction of Firozeshah Mistry.

This year saw the release of 207 silent films from all over India and 28 Talkies.[2] Out of the 28 talkies 23 were in Hindi, 3 in Bengali, one in Tamil, and one in Telugu.[3] The first Bengali film was Jamai Shashthi by Madan Theatres Calcutta. The first Tamil film was Kalidas produced by Imperial Movietone and the first Telugu talkie Bhakta Prahlada, was directed by H. M. Reddy for Bharat Movietone.

Madan Theatres Ltd, who had lost out in the race to produce the first talkie in India with Shirin Farhad which followed two months later, produced 8 Talkies from Calcutta.[4] Shirin Farhad was "twice as successful" compared to Alam Ara, and had 17 (out of the 18) songs sung by Jahanara Kajjan and Master Nissar.[5]

A

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Aatishe Ishq Dhirubhai Desai Prabhashankar, Chandrarao Kadam, Mumtaz, Hamid, P. R. Joshi, Budhikar Saroj Film Co.
Abhishek a.k.a. The Anointment Prafulla Roy Uma Sashi, Jiban Ganguly, Bhaskar Paul, Veena, Chani Dutta, Bela Rani, Purnima Shome Graphic Arts, Calcutta.
Abul HasanKhatoon, Master Bachchu, Hadi, Shahzadi Sagar Movietone.
Afghan Abla Narayan Deware Begum Fatma, Ebrahim, Jamuna, Raja Babu, Usha, Ganibabu Kohinoor United Artists.
Alam AraMaster Vithal, Zubeida, Prithviraj, Sushila, Jagdish Sethi, Wazir Mohammed Khan, Elizer, Sakhu, Miss Jilloo, Lakshmi Vara PrasadCostume Imperial Film Company. Music: Behram Irani, Ferozeshah Mistry
Albeli Mumbai E. Billimoria, Shanta Kumari, Ghory Ranjit Film Company.
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp Jal Ariah Patience Cooper, Miss Sylvia, Ratansha Sinore Fantasy Madan Theatres Ltd.
Amir Khan Ganpat Shinde Anasuya, Kishori Pathak, Sakharam Jadhav, Mathura Hindustan Cinema Film Co, Nasik.
Aparadhi a.k.a. The Criminal P.C. Barua, Sabita Devi, Samar Ghosh, Shanti Gupta, Renubala, Sushil Majumdar, Prabhavati, Arti Devi, Purnima Shome, Nirmal, Radhikanand Social Barua Film Unit, Calcutta
Asire Hirs a.k.a. Nemesis of Lust Haribhai Desai Manohar, Jamadagni, Jamu Patel, Baburao Gade, Zunzharao Pawar, Baby Garbo Surya Film Co. Bangalore.
Awara Raqasa a.k.a. Bhatakta Joban Abdul Rashid Kardar Nazir, Begum Gulzar, Gul Ahmed, Rukhia Khatoon, Hiralal Social United Player's Corp. Lahore.
Anang SenaM. Gidwani Costume

B-C

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Baaz Bahadur a.k.a. Rani Rupmati Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Choudhary Historical Drama Maharashtra Film Co. Kolhapur
Badmash a.k.a. Rascal Rama Chowdhary Jal Merchant, Yasmin, Jyotsana, DixitNavjawan Film Co.
Bahadur Beti A. P. Kapoor Zebunissa, P. Jairaj, Meharbanu, Miss Salu Social Sharda Film Company.
Banke Sawariya E. Billimoria, Ishwarlal, Shanta Kumari, Ghory, Manilal Ranjit film Company.
Bewafa Ashiq Dr. Alvaro Bhagwandas, Leelavati, Fatma Surya Prakash Film Co.
Bharati BalakPatience Cooper, Master Mohan, D. Sarkari, Sharifa, Surajram, Mohammed Ishaq Costume Madan Theatres Ltd.
Bijli Ramankant, Ghare Khan Indira Devi, Dixit, Bhagwandas, Jaswant Navjawan Co.
Chandbibi a.k.a. Queen of Ahmednagar N. D. Sarpotdar Kamla Devi, Hira Dharwadkar, Jadhavrao, Varne, Bhaurao Datar Historical Drama Aryan Film Co.
Chandrasena Kamla Devi, Leela pendharkar, Gulab, G. R. Mane Historical Drama Prabhat Film Company.
ChintamaniKanjibhai Rathod Shanta Kumari, Haider Shah, Master Mohammed, Kashinath, Manjula, Fateh Singh Devotional Bharat Movietone. Music:
Lyrics:

D-F

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Dagabaaz Dushman Kantilal Patel Yusuf, Gulab East India Film Co.
Dard-E-Jigar a.k.a. Songs of Sorrow R. N. Vaidya Khalil, Nurjahan Sharda Film Co.
Darkness To Light Bapsy Sabavala Bapsy Sabavala
Dhartikamp Harshadrai Mehta Navinchandra, Mohini, Baburao Apte, Nizam, Bhim, Alam Sultan, Lobo, Manilal Mehta Luhar Productions.
Daulat Ka NashaPesi Irani Master Vithal, Khalil, Tarabai, Hadi, Jilloobai, Jamshedji, Makand Social Talkie. Imperial Movietone. Music: Firoz Shah Mistry, Mohammed Hadi
Lyrics:
Debi Choudhrani Priyanath Ganguly Anupama, Kartik Roy, Naresh Mitra, Rani Sundari, Shyam Mukherjee, Nani Social Madan Theatres Ltd Silent
Devi DevyaniD. Billimoria, Gohar Mamajiwala, Bhagwandas, Keki Adjania, Miss Kamla, Baburao Sansare, Baba Vyas, Sudhir Mythology Talkie. Ranjit Film Company. Music: Jhandekhan
Lyrics: Narayan Prasad Betab
Digvijay Asooji P. Jairaj, Sitara Devi, Gulab Sharda Film Company
Dilawar R. G. Torney Sagar Movietone
Diler Daku Fatma Jr, Yashwant Dave, Mumtaz ActionYoung United Players. Silent film.
Diwani Duniya Naval GandhiKohinoor United Artists.
DraupadiBhagwati Prasad Mishra Mythology Imperial Movietone. Music:
Lyrics:
Dushman-e-Iman Ebrahim, Jamuna, Raja Babu Pratap Pictures.
Dushman Ki Raat a.k.a. Night of Terror Balasaheb Yadav Nandrekar, Sushila Devi, Balasaheb Yadav, Padmabai Maharashtra Film Co, Kohlapur.
Eye For An Eye a.k.a. Meethi Chhuri Madanrai Vakil Zubeida, Yakub, Khurshid, Romila, Ghulam Qadir, Sankatha Prasad, Salvi Sagar Film Company. Silent film.
Farari a.k.a. Outlaw Y. D. Sarpotdar University Art Federation.
Farebi Daku a.k.a. Mysterious Bandit Gul Hamid, Gulzar, Nazir, M. Ismail, Hiralal Action United Player's Corp. Lahore.
Farebi Shahzada Gul Hamid, Gulzar, Nazir, M. Ismail, Hiralal Costume Action United Player's Corp.
Fauladi Firman a.k.a. Fists of Steel Baburao Wamanrao Kulkarni, Master Bachchu, Jen, Baburao Gade Action Surya Film Co, Bangalore.

G-L

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Gayab-e-Garud a.k.a. Black Eagle Harilal M Bhatt Keki Adjania, Miss Mani, Paro Nag Mahavir Photoplays, Hyderabad
Ghar Ki LakshmiKanjibhai Rathod Rampyari, M. Gaznavi, Sardar Krishnatone. Silent film
Ghulami Zanjeer Haider Shah, Durga, Rafiq Ghaznavi, Manohar Krishna Film Co.
Ghunghatwali Nandlal Jaswantlal Madhuri, Ishwarlal, Baburao Sansare, Thatte Ranjit Film Co.
Golibar Bhagwati Mishra Prithviraj Kapoor, Ermeline, Mazhar Khan, Romila Sagar Movietone
Gulam Moti B. Gidwani Master Vithal, Manorama, Zaverbhai Qaiser Imperial Film Company.
Gwalan a.k.a. MilkmaidNagendra Majumdar E. Billimoria, Sultana Ranjit Film Company. Music:
Lyrics:
HarishchandraKanjibhai Rathod Haidar Shah, Neelam, Kashinath, Master Mohammed, Fateh Shah Mythology Talkie. Krishnatone. Music: Master Mohammed
Lyrics:
Heer RanjhaJ. P. Advani Shanta Kumari, Master Fakir Legend Romance Talkie. Krishnatone. Music: Ali Baksh
Lyrics:
Hoor-E-Misar Sagar Film Company.
Hoor-E-Roshan D. Billimoria, Madhuri Ranjit Film Company
Hridaya Veena A. P. Kapoor P. Jairaj, Zebunissa, Ata Mohammed Sharda Film Co.
Husn Pari A. P. Kapoor Sharda Film Co.
Intaqam Haribhai Desai Manohar, Waman Rao, Jena, Peters, Zhunzharrao Pawar, Baburao Gade Surya Film Company, Bangalore.
Iraq Ka Chor K. P. Bhave Sushila, Vasantrao Pehalwan Costume Action National Film Co, Hyderabad
Jadu-E-Mohabbat a.k.a. Magic of Love Harshadrai Mehta Gulab, Nandram Sharda Film Co.
Jamai-BabuKalipada Das Kalipada Dass, Radharani, Pravat Coomar, Sibapada Bhowmick, Amulya Bandhopadhay, Rajen Barooah, Sadhana Devi Comedy Hira Film Coy. Silent film
Kamar Al-Zaman Gazanfarali Shah W. M. Khan, Sultana, Pramila, Mazhar Khan, Cho Cho Lam, Jamshedji, Manorama Sr, Tarabai, Hansraj Costume Imperial Film Company
Khooni Katar a.k.a. Golden Dagger Miss Gulzar, Gul Hamid, M. Ismail, Hiralal, Ghulam Qadir, M. Zahoor Action United Player's Corp. Lahore.
Khuda Ki Shaan Rama Chowdhary Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Salvi, Elizer, Sushila, Raghunath, Makanda Imperial Film Company
Kismet Ki Hera Pheri R. L. Shorey Haider Shah, Zohrajan, Maqbul, Miss Sardar, Abdul Rashid Kardar, Harold Lewis (Majnu), Hukum Singh, Kamla Devi Costume Oriental Players, Lahore. Pioneer Film Co., Punjab.
Laila Majnu 1Jehanara Kajjan, Master Nissar, Shaila Legend Romance Talkie. 24 songs. Madan Theatres Ltd. Music: Brijlal Varma
Lyrics:
Laila Majnu 2Kanjibhai Rathod Haider Shah, Rampyari, Rafiq Ghaznavi, Mangle, Fatehsingh, Ali BuxLegend Romance Krishnatone. Music:
Lyrics:

M-Z

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Namak Haram Kon a.k.a. A Bid For The Throne Madanrai Vakil Prithviraj Kapoor, Ermiline, Mubarak, Leelavati, Jagdish Sethi, Zaverbhai Qaiser Costume Imperial Film Company.
Noor JahanMazhar Khan, Vimala, Mubarak, Nayampally, Jamshedji, Hadi, Jilloobai, Zaverbhai Historical Drama Talkie. Imperial Film Company. Music: Joseph David
Lyrics:
Pak Daman a.k.a. The Pure Rampyari, Haider Shah, Yakbal, Vishnu Krishnatone.
Raj Tilak Madanrai Vakil Mazhar Khan, Ermeline, Mehboob Khan, Rustam Irani, Elizer, Gohar Costume Imperial Film Company.
Romantic Prince a.k. Meri Jaan Master Vithal, Zubeida, Yakub, Mehboob Khan, Sankatha Prasad Sagar Movietone. Silent film.
Roop Sundari a.k.a. Wages of Sin Mysore Pictures Corporation. Silent Film
Samaj Ka ShikarM. Gidwani Patience Cooper, Gul Hamid, Master Mohan, Sharifa Social Madan Theatres Ltd.
Satyawadi Raja HarishchandraJehanara Kajjan, Mohammed Nawab, Patience Cooper, Sharifa, Mythology Madan Theatres Ltd. Music:
Lyrics:
Sea Goddess a.k.a. Dariani Devangana Dhirubhai Desai Padma Devi, Zebunissa, Chandra Rao Kadam, Pawar, Ata Mohammed Fantasy Saroj Film Company. Silent
Shakuntala 1 Master Nissar, Jehanara Kajjan, Shehla, Nawab, Sharifa Mythology Talkie. Madan Theatres Ltd. Music: Brijlal Sharma
Lyrics:
Shakuntala 2 M. Bhavnani Zebunissa, Ashraf Khan, Zahiruddin, A. P. Kapoor, Najju Begum, Ranibala, Prabhashankar, Dinkar Bidkar Mythology Talkie. Saroj Movietone. Music:
Lyrics: A. P. Kapoor
Sher-E-Jawan a.k.a. Dashing Youth Ramakant, Gharekhan Haider Shah, Rampyari, Charlie, Madhukar Gupte, Ghulam HussainKrishna Film Company. Silent film.
Shirin FarhadMaster Nissar, Jehanara Kajjan, Mohamed Hussain, Master Mohan, Sharifa, Abdul Rehman Kabuli Legend Romance Talkie. Madan Theatres Ltd. Music: Brijlal Varma
Lyrics: Agha Hashar Kashmiri
Shuri Sinha a.k.a. Lioness Ram Pyari, Haider Shah, Rafiq Ghaznavi, Miss Sardar Krishna Film Company. Silent Film.
Third Wife Social Madan Theatres Ltd.
Toofan Bhagwati Mishra Prithviraj Kapoor, Ermeline, Fali Merchant Sagar Movietone.
Toofani TaruniBhagwati Prasad Mishra Yakub, Ermeline, Jal Merchant, Laxmi Action Sagar Film Company.
Trapped a.k.a. Farebi Jaal M. Bhavnani Durga Khote, Jal Khambata, Enakshi Rama Rau, Master Vasant, Sushila, Annapurna, Talpade Social Talkie. Indian Art Productions. Music:
Lyrics: Vasant Amrit
Veer AbhimanyuMythology Sagar Movietone. Music: S. P. Rane

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sen. Shomini. 100 years of Indian cinema: The first talkies and era of taking risks. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231091023/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/100-years-of-indian-cinema-the-first-talkies-and-era-of-taking-risks/378487-8-66.html. dead. 31 December 2013. ibnlive.in.com. ibnlive.com. 18 Aug 2014.
  2. Book: Ranade. Ashok Damodar. Hindi Film Song: Music Beyond Boundaries. 2006. Bibliophile South Asia. 9788185002644. 94. 18 Aug 2014.
  3. Book: Burra, Chandran. Rani, Mangala. Fifty years of Indian talkies, 1931-1981: a commemorative volume. 1981. Indian Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. India. 18 Aug 2014.
  4. Ranade, p. 109
  5. Web site: Nair. Roshni. The man who missed the train. thebigindianpicture.com. thebigindianpicture. 18 Aug 2014.