Homi Wadia

Homi Wadia Biography

Homi Wadia was one of the earliest film makers of Hindi talkies. He was the co-founder of Wadia Movietone productions, established in the year 1933 and later he shut down the production house to form Basant Pictures in 1942. He was married to noted actress known as a stuntwoman then – Fearless Nadia, with whom he has worked in many movies. As a film director, he has contributed more than 40 films, the majority belonging to B-grade action category. Hunterwali (1935), Miss Frontier Mail (1936), Diamond Queen (1940) and Hatim Tai (1956) are among his major hits. He was also one of the founding members of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India in 1954.

Homi Wadia was born into a Parsi family in 22 May 1911. His family originally belongs to Surat associated with shipbuilding works. His elder brother JBH Wadia was a film director, under whom Homi started his film journey as an assistant at the age of 16 soon after schooling. Both the brothers were not interested in joining shipbuilding business. Noted Indian independent filmmaker Riyad Vinci Wadia was the son of his elder brother, JBH Wadia. Both the brothers have produced numerous action films with Fearless Nadia in the lead role. In fact Nadia was introduced to silver screen by JBH Wadia. Homi Wadia later married her in 1961.

Homi Wadia started his career as an assistant director under his brother and he turned a cinematographer with the movie, Lal-e-Yaman in 1933. Same year he co-founded Wadia Movietone productions under which he started producing and directing movies. Tata brothers were also with the production company, who left the company soon after. Raj Nartaki (1941) under the direction of Madhu Bose was the last film produced in this banner and was later sold to V. Shantaram in 1942. Homi Wadia established form Basant Pictures the same year under which he produced many movies. He closed down Basant Studios in 1981 following a labour dispute and quit filmmaking.

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Updated: March 20, 2016