Homi Master

Homi Master Biography

Homi Master was an actor-director of First era of Indian film making. Often referred to as "silent cinema's most successful film-maker", his association with Kohinoor Film Company has given many memorable movies. He was a family friend to actress Gohar Mamajiwala, who introduced her to movies and Kohinoor Film Company. Quite active in the era of 1920s to 1940s, some of his memorable roles are Bismi Sadi, Manorama, Do Ghadi Ki Mauj, Samaj Ki Bhool, Gul Sanobar, Kala Naag, and Kulin Kanta. He also appeared in India’s first banned controversial movie - Bhakta Vidur (1921). Though he made 78 movies in his film career, towards the end he was associated with many B-Grade Gujarati and Hindi movies.

He has been associated with theatre quite at a younger age. At the age of 13, he joined Parsi theatre group called Bilwala. Very soon he became a popular stage actor. After a brief stint with Phalke Film Company, he joined Kohinoor Film Company in the early 1920s as an actor playing character roles. Slowly he moved towards direction field. As an actor, he first worked with Kanjibhai Rathod for 3 films and played the role of Duryodhana in the banned movie – Bhakta Vidur. In 1924, he played his first title role in the crime drama - Kala Naag.

As a director, his first movie was Bismi Sadi starring Raja Sandow, Miss Moti and Noor Mohammed Charlie. It was followed by Manorama in 1924 which broke many collection records. The Telephone Girl (1926) and Educated Wife (1927) were his socially relevant films during this period which became successful. He made the fantasy film Gul Sanobar twice and continued to make social dramas throughout 1930s. But he witnessed a downfall towards the end of his career and worked as a production manager at Kardar Studios before he died of heart attack.

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Updated: November 12, 2015