Gemini Studios
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Gemini Studios was an Indian film studio based in
Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
,
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...
. It was launched when
S. S. Vasan Subramaniam Srinivasan (4 January 1904 – 26 August 1969), popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was an Indian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon. He is the founder of the Tamil-language maga ...
, a businessman of many ventures (including the ownership of
Ananda Vikatan ''Ananda Vikatan'' is a Tamil-language weekly magazine published from Chennai, India. History and profile ''Ananda Vikatan'' was started by Late Pudhoor Vaidyanadhaiyar in February 1926 as a monthly publication. The issue for December 1927 wa ...
) bought Motion Picture Producers' Combines from Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam and renamed it. The studio re-opened under the name Gemini. Despite the common beliefs about a lucky racehorse or the astrological sign of his wife, it was the logo Vasan chose that led to the name. Subrahmanyam had shown him a picture of his very young boys, blowing on toy trumpets in the nude. Vasan chose the pose to craft the logo and hence the name Gemini—The Twins. The new facade also had statues of ‘The Gemini Twins’, blowing the bugle. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film Industry. The
Gemini twins Gemini may refer to: Space * Gemini (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac ** Gemini in Chinese astronomy * Project Gemini, the second U.S. crewed spaceflight program * Gemini Observatory, consisting of telescopes in the North ...
became a household symbol and the Gemini flyover was named after the original studio at that junction. Gemini Studios is one of the few producers in Tamil cinema to survive beyond 100 productions along with AVM, Modern Theatres, Thenandal Films, etc.


Early history

S.S.Vasan bought from his friend K. Subramanyam a Film distribution business ''Motion Picture Producers' Combines studio'' on Mount Road for Rs.86,427-11-9,the odd figure arrived at through including the interest on unpaid wages of the employees and it was renamed as Gemini Studios in the year 1940.
G. Kamble Gopal Balwant Kamble (22 July 191821 July 2002) was an Indian painter known for painting Bollywood movie posters and realist portraits of people from Maharashtra. Early life Kamble was born on 22 July 1918 in the Mangalwar Peth neighborhood o ...
, a painter from Kolhapur worked at the studios in his early life.


Time line

* 1941 – ''
Madanakamarajan ''Madana Kama Rajan'' () is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language adventure film directed by B. N . Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. It was the first film for Vasan as producer for Dindugal Amirtham Talkies. Plot ''Madana Kama Rajan'' is tale of the adv ...
'' with the arrival of
K. Ramnoth K. Ramnoth (1912–1956) was an Indian cinematographer and director active in Tamil cinema. Career Ramnoth was born in 1912 at Pujapura, Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum. After passing his Bachelor degree, he arrived in Chennai in search of a ...
, a cameraman and scenarist, and A.K. Sekhar, art director brought many changes in production. * 1942 – ''
Jeevana Mukthi ''Jeevan Mukthi'' is a 1942 Indian Telugu-language film produced by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios. Plot summary Jeevudu, an untouchable cobbler, leads a saintly life with his wife Seva and son Bhavudu. Because of his devotion, Lord Vishnu app ...
'' is their first film in Telugu language remake of ''Bhaktha Chetha'' (1940) of K. Subramanyam. * 1942 – ''
Nandanar Nandanar (also spelt as Nantanar), also known as Tirunalaippovar (Thirunaallaippovaar (The one who will go tomorrow)) and Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar,Other names include: Nandan (Nanda, Nantan), Tirunalaipovanar, Nalaippovar, Nalaippovan was a ...
'' A Tamil film starring
M. M. Dandapani Desikar M M Dandapani Desikar (August 27, 1908 – June 26, 1972) was a Carnatic vocalist, actor and composer. 'Isai Arasu' Dandapani Desikar was born in Tiruchengattangudi, near Nannilam in Madras Presidency. He got training from Manicka Desikar and K ...
and
Serukalathur Sama Swaminathan Vaidyanathan (26 June 1904—11 January 1963), known by his stage name Serukulathur Sama, was an Indian stage and film actor who was primarily known for playing the role of the Hindu god Krishna in Tamil language Hindu mythological ...
* 1943 – '' Mangamma Sapatham'' * 1945 – ''
Kannamma En Kadhali ''Kannamma En Kadhali'' () is a 1945 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. K. Radha and M. S. Sundari Bai in the lead roles. The film was directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, marking his directorial debut. No print of the film is known to survive, ...
'' * 1944 – ''
Dasi Aparanji ''Dasi Aparanji'' is a 1944 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film directed by B. N. Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Pushpavalli and M. K. Radha. It revolves around the antics of king Vikramadithan after his soul ente ...
'' * 1947 – ''
Miss Malini ''Miss Malini'' is a 1947 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language satire (film and television), satirical film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu and produced by K. Ramnoth, based on a story by R. K. Narayan. Subbu also starred in the ...
'' * 1948 – '' Kalpana''. This was
Uday Shankar Uday Shankar (8 December 1900 – 26 September 1977) was an Indian dancer and choreographer, best known for creating a fusion style of dance, adapting European theatrical techniques to Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian cl ...
's dance spectacular, shot at the studio, that set the trend for future choreographers. *1948 – '' Chandralekha'' a magnificent movie by
S. S. Vasan Subramaniam Srinivasan (4 January 1904 – 26 August 1969), popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was an Indian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon. He is the founder of the Tamil-language maga ...
that was a first for a Tamil to achieve All India distribution and brought excellent returns. * 1949 – '' Apoorva Sahodarargal'' A `costume adventure` film in three languages – Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and a major success. * 1952 – ''
Moondru Pillaigal ''Moondru Pillaigal'' () is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced by S. S. Vasan. Based on Victor Fleming's 1927 American film '' The Way of All Flesh'', it is about a couple and their three sons. The film was directed by Nagendra ...
'' – Tamil. Made also in Telugu as ''Mugguru Kodukulu'' * 1953 – ''
Avvaiyyar ''Avvaiyar'' is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars K. B. Sundarambal as the title character. It was released on 15 August 1953. Plot When a childle ...
'' - A Tamil film that proved a major box-office hit. * 1954 - ''
Rajee En Kanmani ''Rajee En Kanmani'' ( en, Rajee, my darling, italic=yes) is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by K. J. Mahadevan and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars T. R. Ramachandran and Sriranjani Jr. A remake of Charlie Chap ...
'' - Bilingual Film. Telugu Films title ''Rajee Naa Pranam'' * 1955 – '' Insaniyat'' -A Hindi film starring
Dilip Kumar Mohammed Yusuf Khan (; 11 December 1922 – 7 July 2021), better known by his stage name Dilip Kumar, was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. Credited with pioneering method acting in cinema, he dominated the Indian movie scene from ...
and
Dev Anand Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand (26 September 1923 – 3 December 2011), better known as Dev Anand, was an Indian actor, writer, director and producer known for his work in Hindi cinema, through a career that spanned over six decades. He was ...
. * 1958 – '' Vanjikottai Valiban'' and Raj Tilak – A Tamil and Hindi film starring Gemini Ganesan,
Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala (born 13 August 1936) is a former Indian actress, dancer and parliamentarian. She is the recipient of several accolades, including two BFJA Awards and five Filmfare Awards. She made her screen debut at the age of thirteen wit ...
and Padmini. * 1959 – '' Paigham'' – A Hindi film starring
Dilip Kumar Mohammed Yusuf Khan (; 11 December 1922 – 7 July 2021), better known by his stage name Dilip Kumar, was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. Credited with pioneering method acting in cinema, he dominated the Indian movie scene from ...
,
Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala (born 13 August 1936) is a former Indian actress, dancer and parliamentarian. She is the recipient of several accolades, including two BFJA Awards and five Filmfare Awards. She made her screen debut at the age of thirteen wit ...
and Raaj Kumar. * 1965 – ''
Vaazhkai Padagu ''Vaazhkai Padagu'' () is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by C. Srinivasan and produced by S. S. Vasan under Gemini Studios. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Devika and R. Muthuraman, with S. V. Ranga Rao, K. Balaji R. S. Manoh ...
'' – A Tamil film starring
Gemini Ganesan Ramasamy Ganesan (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005), better known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He was referred to as the ''Kaadhal Mannan'' (King of Romance) for his romantic roles ...
,
Devika Devika Devadoss (born Prameela Devi) (25 April 1943 – 2 May 2002) was an Indian actress who worked in Tamil, Telugu with few Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi film industry. She was a popular lead actress in the 1960s. Devika is the grand daughter ...
* 1966 – ''
Motor Sundaram Pillai ''Motor Sundaram Pillai'' is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. S. Balan and written by Veppathur Kittoo. A remake of the Hindi film '' Grahasti'' (1963), itself based on the American film '' The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker ...
'' – This was Sivaji Ganesan's sole film for Gemini Studios. After S.S. Vasan's death, his son S.S. Balasubramanyam took the reins. * 1968-- ''
Oli Vilakku ''Oli Vilakku'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language action film, directed by Tapi Chanakya and produced by S. S. Vasan. It is a remake of the Hindi-language film ''Phool Aur Patthar'' (1966). The film stars M. G. Ramachandran (in his 100th film ...
- MGR Film with ss vasan * 1969 – ''
Manushulu Marali ''Manushulu Marali'' is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao, starring Shoban Babu and Sharada. The film was a remake of the Malayalam film ''Thulabharam''. Cast * Sobhan Babu * Sharada * Haranath * Kanch ...
'' – A Telugu film starring
Shoban Babu Sobhan Babu (born Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao; 14 January 1937 – 20 March 2008) was an Indian actor known for his works in Telugu cinema.Bangaru Panjaram in Venditera Paatalu, Krishnasastri Sahityam, third volume, Vishalandhra Publishing House ...
. * 1970 – ''
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo ''Samaj Ko Badal Dalo'' () is a 1970 Bollywood drama film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. The film stars Parikshit Sahni, Sharada (reprising the latter's role from the original version and making this picture as her Hindi film debut), Prem Ch ...
'' – A Hindi film starring
Parikshit Sahni Parikshit Sahni (born 1 January 1944) is an Indian actor who is known for playing the lead in TV series Barrister Vinod, ''Gul Gulshan Gulfaam'' (Doordarshan) and ''Gaatha'' (Star Plus). He has also appeared in three of Rajkumar Hirani's bloc ...
, Sharada,
Prem Chopra Prem Chopra (born 23 September 1935) is an Indian actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in 380 films over a span of over 60 years. He has a soft-spoken diction despite being a villain in most films. His 19 films, with him as antagonist ...
and Pran. * 1971 – ''
Irulum Oliyum ''Irulum Oliyum'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, directed and co-written by Puttanna Kanagal. A remake of Kanagal's own Kannada film ''Kappu Bilupu'' (1969), itself based on a novel by Aryammba Pattabi, it stars Vanisr ...
'' – A Tamil film starring A. V. M. Rajan,
Vanisri Vanisri (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian actress known for her works predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has received three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu St ...
* 1975 – ''
Ellorum Nallavare ''Ellorum Nallavare'' () is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language film, directed and produced by S. S. Balan. It is a remake of the 1974 Kannada film ''Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu''. It was simultaneously produced in Telugu and Hindi languages as ''Andaroo Ma ...
'' – This was a flop and the studio's fortunes declined in the 70s and it was taken over by Anand Cine Services later.


Aftermath

After the studio being abandoned for two decades, the buildings were razed and a luxury hotel called The Park was constructed and opened in 2002.


References


External links


Gemini Studio Official Website
{{Authority control Film distributors of India Film production companies of India Film production companies based in Chennai Indian film studios Mass media companies established in 1940 Indian companies established in 1940 Indian companies disestablished in 1975 Mass media companies disestablished in 1975