Phani Majumdar was an Indian Film Director, who worked in Hindi Cinema.

Street Singer is a 1938 first and most famous Hindi film directed by Phani Majumdar, produced by New Theatres. Two Street urchins dream of singing and making it big in glamorous world of theatre in Calcutta. They grow up with the girl being employed while the boy is not. The story follows them through first their enchantment and then the disillusionment with the theatre. Finally both choose to return to their roots in the village. It is also ranked as one of Saigal’s greatest hits, where his rendition of Wajid Ali Shah’s Thumri “Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaye” is considered a classic. Majumdar considered Saigal an exceptional artist.

Sathi (The Companion) is a Bengali film directed by Majumdar. It was the Bengali version of Street Singer.

Hum Bhi Insan Hain (We Are Human Too) is 1948 Bollywood film directed by Majumdar.

Tamasha is a 1952 Indian Hindi Romantic Comedy film directed by Majumdar. One of the big hits of the year from Bombay Talkies produced by Ashok Kumar and Savak Vacha. Tamasha had a narrative far ahead of its times, its action spread over 16 eventful days. This movie is copy of Hollywood movie “It Started with Eva”.

BaadBaan (Shelter from the Storm) is 1954 film directed by Majumdar. Baad means storm and Baan means keeping or safeguarding. The film premiered on Friday, 18 June 1954, to packed houses at the Roxy and various other Theatres in Bombay. The film won Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Hang Tuah (The Legend of Hang Tuah) is a 1956 Singaporean Historical Drama film directed by Majumdar. It is the first Malay film to be fully shot in Eastman Colour film. The film was based on the legendary Admiral Hang Tuah of Malacca and his 4 sword Brothers; Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu. This film received the Award for ‘Best Musical Score’ at the 3rd Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong in 1956 and an official screening at 7th Berlin International Film Festival in 1957, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. Hang Tuah was released in many countries outside of Malaya. The plot’s emphasis on its hero’s “blind loyalty” was criticized, as was its Indian and non-Muslim director Phani Majumdar.

Anak-ku-Sazali which means Sazali My Son is a Malaysian film written and directed by Majumdar. The movie is about love between a man and a woman, dreams that can true and a father’s extreme love for his son.

Bhaiyaa is Magahi language film releases 1961 directed by Majumdar.

Aarti is a 1962 film directed by Majumdar. The film based on Sanskar Lakshmi, a play written by Prafulla Desai. Aarti received two nominations at the 1963 Filmfare Awards and won Best supporting Actress Award. Film won BFJA Award Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Audiography.

Kanyadan is a 1965 Indian Maithili language film directed by Majumdar. This film was based on the Novel Kanyadaan, written by Hari Mohan Jha.

Akashdeep is a 1965 Hindi film directed and screenplay by Majumdar. Oonche Log (High Society People) is a 1965 Hindi film directed by Majumdar. At the 13th National Film Awards it won the award for Second Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Photos courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.