Playart Phototone (formally known as ''United Players Association'') was a
film studio
A film studio (also known as movie studio or simply studio) is a major entertainment company or motion picture company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to make films, which is handled by the production ...
established in 1929 by
Abdur Rashid Kardar
Abdur Rashid Kardar (1904–1989) was an Indian film actor, director and producer. He is credited with establishing the film industry in the Bhati Gate locality of Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan).
History
In 1928, with no work left after their maiden venture, Kardar and Ismail sold their belongings to set up a studio and production company under the name of ''United Players Corporation'', the foundation stone for the film industry in Lahore. After scouting for locations, they settled for their offices to be established at Ravi Road. Although, the dim-lit area presented with much difficulties after the studios were established. Shootings were only possible in the day-light but nevertheless the area had some very important landmarks like the Ravi Forest and the tombs of
Mughal emperor
The Mughal emperors ( fa, , Pādishāhān) were the supreme heads of state of the Mughal Empire on the Indian subcontinent, mainly corresponding to the modern countries of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Mughal rulers styled t ...
Jahangir
Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (30 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was the fourth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. He was named after the Indian Sufi saint, Salim Chishti.
Ear ...
and his wife
Nur Jahan
Nur Jahan, born Mehr-un-Nissa P ersian: نورجهان (; – 18 December 1645) was the wife and chief consort of the Mughal emperor Jahangir from 1620 until his death in 1627.
Nur Jahan was born Mehr-un-Nissa, as the daughter of a Mirza Ghi ...
. It is reported that the team working at the studios would commute on tangas and even lost equipment once while travelling on the bumpy roads on the horse-drawn carriage. However basic and crude their working conditions, Kardar believed in his work and in 1930 he produced the first film under the studio's banner. With this film, ''
Husn Ka Daku
''Husn Ka Daku'' is a 1929 action adventure silent film directed by A. R. Kardar. The film, also called ''Mysterious Eagle'' was made by Kardar's Playart Phototone. Kardar acted in this, his first production from Playart Phototone. Playart Photo ...
'' a.k.a. ''Mysterious Eagle'', Kardar made his first directorial début. He also cast himself as an actor in the male lead opposite Gulzar Begum with Ismail in a supporting role. The film featured an American actor, Iris Crawford, as well. The film had mild success at theatres but prominently established Lahore as a functioning film industry. Kardar vowed on not acting in any other film and instead focusing on direction. Immediately afterwards the studio released the film ''Sarfarosh'' aka ''Brave Heart'', with
Gul Hamid
Gul Hamid (1905-1936) was an Indian actor. He started his acting career in silent films and later played leading roles in talkies. He had many honors to his credit. He acted in ''Heer Ranjha'', the first film produced in Punjabi and in '' Seet ...
playing the lead rold with more or less the same cast as in the previous film. This production proved equally appealing but was able to stir noise about this industry in film production circles throughout India. Roop Lal Shori, a resident of Brandreth Road in
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city. ...
, upon hearing of a new film industry in the city, returned to his hometown. He later produced ''Kismet Ki Hera Pheri'' (''Life After Death'') which would firmly ground the new industry's reputation as being in line with other film industries of the time.
Filmography
* ''
Husn Ka Daku
''Husn Ka Daku'' is a 1929 action adventure silent film directed by A. R. Kardar. The film, also called ''Mysterious Eagle'' was made by Kardar's Playart Phototone. Kardar acted in this, his first production from Playart Phototone. Playart Photo ...
'' (1929)
* ''
Sarfarosh
''Sarfarosh'' () is a 1999 Indian action drama film written, produced and directed by John Matthew Matthan and starring Aamir Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Sonali Bendre and Mukesh Rishi. John started working on ''Sarfarosh'' in 1992. Seven years ...
'' (1931)
* ''
Khooni Katar
''Khooni Katar'' also called ''Golden Dagger'' is a 1931 Indian cinema's action adventure silent film directed by A. R. Kardar.
The film was also called ''Sunheri Khanjar'' and the fifth film to be produced by Kardar for his United Pictures Cor ...
'' (1931)
* ''Kismet Ki Hera Pheri'' (1931)
* ''
Heer Ranjha
''Heer Ranjha'' (or ''Heer and Ranjha'') ( pnb, , ਹੀਰ ਰਾਂਝਾ ) is one of several popular tragic romances of Punjab, other important ones being "Sohni Mahiwal", "Mirza Sahiban" and " Sassi Punnhun". There are several poetic na ...
'' (1932)
See also
*
Cinema of Pakistan
Cinema of Pakistan, popularly known as Lollywood ( ur, ), refers to the filmmaking industry in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to several film studios centres, primarily located in its three largest cities – Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.
...