Himanshu Rai - Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Career, Net Worth

Profile Summary

Table Of Contents

• Biography 
• Age  
• Education
• Wife
• Career
• Best Works Of Himanshu Rai
• Career Timeline
• Interesting Facts
• How to Book a Similar Celebrity Like Himanshu Rai on Tring?

Biography 

Himanshu Rai, born in 1892, was a pioneering figure in Indian cinema. Best known as the co-founder of a film studio in 1934, alongside Devika Rani, he played a crucial role in shaping the early years of the Indian film industry. Himanshu Rai was associated with several notable movies, including Goddess (1922), The Light of Asia (1925), Shiraz (1928), A Throw of Dice (1929), and Karma (1933). His contributions as a filmmaker and producer left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. Himanshu Rai's marriage to actress Devika Rani Chaudhuri from 1929 to 1940 further solidified their partnership and creative collaboration. Born into an aristocratic Bengali family, Himanshu Rai received his education in Santiniketan before pursuing a law degree in Kolkata. However, his passion for the arts led him to London, where he encountered playwright and screenwriter Niranjan Pal. Together, they embarked on a journey that would shape the course of Indian cinema. Himanshu Rai's legacy as a visionary and pioneer continues to resonate in the film industry to this day.

Age 

Himanshu Rai, born in 1892, was a pioneering figure in Indian cinema. He was 48 years old at the time of his demise. He peacefully left the world on May 16, 1940.

Education

Himanshu Rai, hailing from an aristocratic Bengali family, spent his formative years in Shantiniketan, where he received his education. After obtaining a law degree in Kolkata, he traveled to London with aspirations of becoming a barrister. It was in London that he crossed paths with Niranjan Pal, a playwright and screenwriter, marking the beginning of a significant collaboration. Together, they co-directed the film The Light of Asia, in which Rai also had a prominent acting role. During the production of his third film, Prapancha Pash, Rai encountered Devika Rani, a descendant of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and soon developed a deep bond with her. Prior to the completion of the film, Rai and Rani tied the knot, embarking on a personal and professional journey together.

Wife

Himanshu Rai had two spouses in his lifetime. His first wife was Mary Hainlin, whom he married in 1924. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1926.

During the making of his third film, Prapancha Pash, Rai encountered Devika Rani, who happened to be a great-grandniece of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The two fell in love, and Rai married Devika Rani before the completion of the film.

 Rai's second and most notable spouse was Devika Rani, whom he married in 1929. Their marriage lasted until Rai's untimely death in 1940. Together, they shared a daughter named Nilima Dietze (formerly Hainlin), who was born in 1926 and passed away in 1997.

Career

Born into an aristocratic Bengali family, Himanshu Rai spent a sizable portion of his formative years in Santiniketan. He left Kolkata with a law degree in hand and headed to London with the goal of becoming a barrister. There, he met playwright and screenwriter Niranjan Pal, and they began working together on the movie The Light of Asia, which they co-directed. In addition to directing, Rai also performed in this play.

Later, Rai and Sashadhar Mukherjee partnered up at the Bombay Talkies studio. This is when Mukherjee's brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, who had been employed at first as a technician in the studio, started to get involved. Devika Rani and Najmul Hasan, who played the lead actor in the movie Jeevan Naiya, are rumored to have a romantic relationship. As a result, Rai cast Ashok Kumar in Hasan's place. This choice proved to be crucial, as Kumar went on to have a prosperous career in the film business.

Best Works Of Himanshu Rai

Jeevan Naiya 

PlayFranz Osten and Himanshu Rai collaborated on the 1936 Hindi film Jeevan Naiya, which they both directed and produced for Bombay Talkies. It serves as Ashok Kumar's screen debut as a young superstar. The theme of the movie is the rejection that dancing girls experience. For their successful working together on the film Jeevan Naiya, Franz Osten, Himanshu Rai, screenwriters J. S. Kashyap and Niranjan Pal, as well as the leading lady of the time, Devika Rani, are renowned. 

The movie features Ashok Kumar's well-known song Koi Humdum Na Raha. Jamuna Swarup Kashyap (J. S. Kashyap) and Saraswati Devi wrote the song's music. It is interesting to note that Kishore Kumar later sang Koi Humdum Na Raha in the 1961 movie Jhumroo.

 Jawani Ki Hawa

M. Sadiq directed the 1959 Hindi film Jawani Ki Hawa. It stars Johnny Walker, Vyjayanthimala, and Pradeep Kumar in the lead roles.

The story of the movie centers on Lata (Vyjayanthimala), a brave young woman who plays hide-and-seek with the T.T.E. on a moving train headed for Bombay. Chand (played by Pradeep Kumar), a broke graduate, is compelled to pay Lata's fare and give away the majority of his money during their encounter. Upon arriving in Bombay, their misadventures take them to court where they are accused of being vagrants. They are exonerated thanks to Lata's cunning, and they move on to pursue their separate objectives.

Over time, Chand experiences employment difficulties and falls for a prank perpetrated by Dhakosla (played by Johnny Walker), losing all of his possessions, including his coat. The eccentric millionaire Banarasidas (played by Badri Prasad), who Chand meets in the midst of these difficulties, offers him the chance to become rich by finding and bringing back his long-lost child, Sandhya, is played by Badri Prasad. Chand's resolve and resiliency are put to the test as a result of going down a rabbit hole.

 Prapancha Pash

Franz Osten, who was born in Germany, helmed the 1929 silent film A Throw of Dice (Prapancha Pash). The movie is based on a scene from the Mahabharata, an Indian epic.

The two kings of the story, Ranjit and Sohan, are drawn to Sunita, the hermit is daughter, because of her beauty. Due to their shared love of gambling, the two kings decide to play a game of craps to settle their dispute, with the winner getting the chance to wed Sunita. Sunita wants to marry Ranjit, but luck favors the dishonest Sohan, so Ranjit loses the game and ends up as Sohan's slave.

Sunita, however, quickly learns the true nature of Sohan's evil deeds. Sohan jumps off a cliff and into the rapids below in order to avoid punishment. Ranjit and Sunita are finally able to come together and get married after Sohan is removed from the picture, overcoming the challenges that had previously stood in their way.

A Throw of Dice is a silent film, meaning it does not contain spoken dialogue but is accompanied by music and intertitles to convey the story to the audience.

Career Timeline

Interesting Facts

• Himanshu Rai was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and is best known as the founder of the studio in 1934, along with Devika Rani.
• After obtaining a law degree from Kolkata, he went to London to become a barrister.
• At Bombay Talkies studio, Rai partnered with Sashadhar Mukherjee, and Mukherjee's brother in law Ashok Kumar worked as a technician in the studio. 
• Himanshu Rai is the founder of Bombay Talkies

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