J.B.H. Wadia

Drawing the history of the Indian talkie, starting with Alam Ara in 1931, this documentary short provides a cross-section of viewpoints from luminaries of the film industry, which give some insight into the contemporary commercial cinema and the parallel stream.

Bag-e-Misar follows a tussle between royalty across Damascus and Misar (in present day Iran)

Two sisters, Iqbal and Sharifa, battle for control of a kingdom. Iqbal wins, persecuting Sharifa, who is supported by Iqbal's husband. When Iqbal captures her brother-in-law, he stands firm in his ideals. The treacherous general's daughter, Bano, champions a pacifist campaign after losing her lover. With the help of the adventurous Nadia and Parsee Charlie, disguised as dancers, they infiltrate the enemy.

Directed by Homi Wadia.

Directed by Homi Wadia.

The Wadia's, remake of Homi Master's 1932 silent film is a Ruritanian drama mainly featuring the stunts of the horse Punjab-Ka-Beta. Good King Mansingh (Tarapore) is dethroned by evil minister Zalim Singh (Khambatta). Princess Hansa (Husn Banu) transforms lover Prince Randhir (Sarda Mansoor) from an easy-going youth into the masked Hind Kesari, saviour of the poor.

Hansa, daughter of Veer Singh, escapes an attack on her family by the villain Zalim Singh in which her mother is killed, her father injured and her sister Padma abducted. Growing up as a Harijan (an untouchable) she transforms the word to 'Hurricane', dons a mask and overthrows Zalim. She falls in love with Zalim's good son Diler. The horse Punjab-Ka-Beta features in its usual key role, rescuing Hansa when she hangs from a cliff, leaping over a wall of fire and aiding the love angle by nudging Diler into the pond where Hansa is having a bath.

Two warring families in the town of Sajalpur find their generational conflict tested when the arrogant son of one, Raya, falls truly in love with Soni, the daughter of the other, forcing him to confront his reckless nature and sparking a dramatic rivalry with a woman from the jungle also captivated by him.

Two warring families in the town of Sajalpur find their generational conflict tested when the arrogant son of one, Raya, falls truly in love with Soni, the daughter of the other, forcing him to confront his reckless nature and sparking a dramatic rivalry with a woman from the jungle also captivated by him.

Two warring families in the town of Sajalpur find their generational conflict tested when the arrogant son of one, Raya, falls truly in love with Soni, the daughter of the other, forcing him to confront his reckless nature and sparking a dramatic rivalry with a woman from the jungle also captivated by him.

During a hunt, Munirshah meets with Sabeena and both fall in love with each other. He approaches her father for her hand, but is refused as she is cursed to turn into stone after her marriage, as her father was cursed by Gulnar, a Pari (Fairy), who had turned to stone on his touch. Munirshah seeks the help of generous Shahenshah-e-Yemen Haatim Bin Tai. They visit Sabeena's father's palace, view the stone bust of Gulnar. Haatim is told that he must solve seven puzzles and only after doing so will Gulnar return back to her normal self and take back her curse. Haatim agrees to do so and sets forth not realizing that he will be pitted against a half-bear half-woman; a cannibalistic giant named Irfan; merciless bandits; giant man-eating birds; be captured by Gulnar's father; and he will eventually end up as a captive to an invincible sorcerer, Kamlakh.

Kind sweet girl living with her family and her parents had an arranged marriage with a kind and brave man- who fights against injustice and together they fell in love after their marriage- but an evil kingpin causes a threat to his life and she sets on a deadly path of revenge against evil- without knowing the danger, leading to consequences.

Oriental fantasy derived from classic Parsee theatre. The heir to the Yemeni throne, Prince Parviz, is falsely imprisoned by his stepmother who claims power. Parviz receives a magic dagger from a mystic sufi fakir to liberate himself and his people. The dagger makes him invisible. He kills the Apeman and the genii, rescues the captive Princess Parizad and, finally, overwhelms the soldiers sent to recapture him. The king learns the truth and repents.

Oriental fantasy derived from classic Parsee theatre. The heir to the Yemeni throne, Prince Parviz, is falsely imprisoned by his stepmother who claims power. Parviz receives a magic dagger from a mystic sufi fakir to liberate himself and his people. The dagger makes him invisible. He kills the Apeman and the genii, rescues the captive Princess Parizad and, finally, overwhelms the soldiers sent to recapture him. The king learns the truth and repents.

A young girl named Maya is shipwrecked and raised by lions in a jungle. Years later, a search party tries to return her to civilization. Despite interference from cannibal chief Radha Rani, Maya and her loyal lions help the explorers. She also finds love with John.

An action-packed patriotic film, focusing on a heroic figure embodying nationalistic ideals.

In Manipur, in the early years of the 19th century, graceful and enchanting court dancer Indrani has captured the heart of Prince Chandrakirti. However, Indrani is looked down upon because of her low social standing and turned away when she tries to enter the city temple. She seeks solace in a crumbling temple, where all are welcome. Meanwhile, Prince Chandra comes under pressure to marry the princess of a neighboring land and secure a peace treaty for his kingdom.

Bag-e-Misar follows a tussle between royalty across Damascus and Misar (in present day Iran)

Khamer Bhakt is a handsome young man, who lives with only motive in mind - trouble. And he does negatively effect lives of his two brothers, Karim and Rahim, as well as others in the community. One day he ventures into the private chambers of the Shehzadi Nargis Banu, and incurs the wrath of the palace king and his guards. and fulfill her every wish, or else he will be cursed for life. The palace and it's people are overjoyed to see Hamida back, and arrangements are made for Nargis to get married to Khamer. Khamer now realizes that if he marries Nargis, he will be cursed; and if he marries Hamida, then he will break his vow to Nargis, and so the ultimate choice is on Khamer, as he has to decide what is best for him.

Shyam (Feroz Khan) falls in love with the face on a painting, painted by his best friend Ishrat. He finds the girl and convince her father to marry her. Brings back the girl to town and then the two love triangle starts.

Shyam (Feroz Khan) falls in love with the face on a painting, painted by his best friend Ishrat. He finds the girl and convince her father to marry her. Brings back the girl to town and then the two love triangle starts.

A young boy is raised by Dada the Chimpanzee (Pedro the ape bomb) after he loses his parents. Now he is Zimbo (Azaad Irani), lord of the Jungle! An expedition is sent into the jungle to find him, but the Queen of a hidden city has other plans.

The film is about Hatim Tai (Hatim of Tayy), a merchant and poet who was known for his charity and kindness. In this Arabian Nights style fantasy Hatim Tai, referred to as Shehzada (Prince) from Yemen, undertakes a perilous journey in order to save a young fairy turned to stone. He can do this by answering seven questions posed to him on the way.

Daku (1955) is a gloriously chaotic, pulp-masala gem from the Wadia Brothers, directed by Babubhai Mistry, the godfather of lo-fi epic fantasy. It stars a young, irrepressible Shammi Kapoor, the fierce and fabulous Shashikala as his heroine, and the ultra-glam Kuldip Kaur as the royal vamp.

An early social drama that delved into themes of honor, modesty, reputation, and the consequences of actions that bring shame or dishonor

An early social drama that delved into themes of honor, modesty, reputation, and the consequences of actions that bring shame or dishonor