J. B. H. Wadia

J. B. H. Wadia Biography

Jamshed Boman Homi Wadia, shortly called J. B. H. Wadia was a noted film producer and director associated with Hindi film since the 1930s. He, along with his brother Homi Wadia started Wadia Movietone productions, established in the year 1933 and later he shut down the production house to form Basant Pictures in 1942. As a film maker he produced many movies belonging to B-grade action category and was known for the action movies with Fearless Nadia in the title role. In fact Nadia was introduced to silver screen by J. B. H Wadia. Homi Wadia later married her in 1961. Homi Wadia started his career as an assistant under his elder brother. Noted Indian independent filmmaker Riyad Vinci Wadia was J. B. H. Wadia’s son.

Jamshed Boman Homi Wadia was born into a Parsi family on 13 September 1901. His family originally belongs to Surat associated with shipbuilding works. He was brought up in a westernized way and he completed his LLB studies. J. B. H. Wadia wanted to do something different and started his film journey during the silent era. Homi started his film journey as an assistant under J. B. H. Wadia at the age of 16 soon after schooling. Both the brothers were not interested in joining shipbuilding business. Later they produced many commercial hits with Fearless Nadia in the title role. Jamshed wrote the film scripts while his younger brother successfully executed it. Hunterwali (1935), Miss Frontier Mail (1936), Diamond Queen (1940) and Hatim Tai (1956) are among the major hits of their production company.

Wadia Movietone Production Company was started in the year 1933. Lal-E-Yaman was the first talkie produced by the new banner.  The production house introduced the new theme of action heroine oriented movies, which entertained audience a lot, though underrated as B-grade movies. Movietone Studio was the first film production company to release an Indian film with songs, Nav Jawan. It also owns the credits of first English Indian movie, The Court Dancer, first Sindhi movie, Ekta, first television series, Hotel Taj Mahal etc. Swadesh, Black Rose, Fauladi Mukka, Return of toofan mail, Jai Bharat, Kahan hai manzil teri etc were their noted productions, apart from action 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. Wadia brothers established form Basant Pictures the same year under which many movies were released. J. B. H. Wadia was also involved with freedom struggle movement.

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Updated: March 20, 2016