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I am Pandit Damle, son of Vishnupant Damle(Known as Damle mama), one of the founders of Prabhat Film Company. Right from childhood, I had keen interest in all the departments of filmmaking. I always spent my time in the studio along with my father. |
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On the internet, 'www. prabhatfilms. com' has access for Prabhat. But I have my own memories and here is the flashback. | |||
What a panicMaharaja of Baroda was to visit Kolhapur and Prabhat was to shoot the welcome ceremony. Maharaja's train came very much early than schedule,may be due to communication lapse. In panic, Maharaja told the cameramen to shoot. The Cameramen expressed their inability to shoot as the cameras were not loaded. Maharaja roared "First shoot and load later". Cameramen had no alternative but pretend shooting. Later Maharaja realised his folly and had a big laugh.
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Prabhat goes from silent to Talkie
And a MishapSome enthusiastic person tried to operate the machine. H.T and L.T wires got interchanged and the valves burnt out. There was a gloom. Damle had told they do not have spare valve. Damle was summoned from home. He found out the fault. Damle had the foresight, he knew some day this is going to happen. Without anybody's knowledge he had kept one set of valves in my mother’s custody. With these valves shooting took place as per schedule. This unforgettable incident never happened again. Prabhat had an unwritten rule "If you must make a mistake, make a new one"
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Yes, I was a child actor
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My image floored a Marathi directorLater, one Marathi producer director was making a film around three children. I was just fitting as one,he wanted to sign me. Believe me, I was studying in College of Engineering.When I met him, he realised years of time lapsed, but admitted that only I could have done justice to the character. Western India Theatre presented silver statue to the artists of Sant Tukaram. I am really proud of it.
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I saw dignitaries visit Prabhat
In 1935, Sir C.V Raman visited Prabaht and with keen interest spend quite a long time in Prabhat and expressed his happiness. During World War II a huge miniature set was erected in the main studio for Britain’s Royal Air Force Pilots. Royal Prince of Sangli, Capt. Patwardhan was one of the pilots. He was a fan of Prabhat films and was too glad to be in Prabhat. He was there for quite some time with Fathelal. I am proud I was introduced to him as Tukaram's son,he praised my acting. Later I was shocked to hear that the Capt. died under mysterious circumstances.
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And Damle Fatehlal put life in Hanuman's TailNormally, Hanuman's tail is made out of spring cotton and cloth. But it is lifeless. Normally, a monkey has a habit of swinging its tail towards the head with a jerk at times. In the film 'Chandrasena' a bait was fixed on Hanuman's waist and had a lever. As required, Hanuman will press the lever and the tail will go up with a jerk. Left and right handed levers belts were made to suit common angle. So far I have not seen Hanuman's Tail like this.
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And the ship sails in the studio
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Dada Damle's name goes in gold lettersAfter Prabhat was liquidated, Prabhat's films were purchased by Mr. Mudliyar of Madras. Dada was restless and determined to repurchase these films. He raised a loan from the bank. Mudliyar, a fine gentleman, was glad to hand over the films to Dada saying that he was the rightful owner. It was a tough test to bring hundreds of tins safely to Pune. Then, a hurricane task of so a fan of Prabhatfilms, asked his grand daughter a convent school student to see the film, which she reluctantly agreed. She got involved in Kunku so much that she was in tears. Major came to request to give tickets for whole week as she wanted to see the film. At Kolhapur a special show had to be screened with special permission of the Collector. Dada then made video cassettes of selected Prabhat Films.Now, TV and cables have opened a wide horizon. No International or National film festival will be complete without Prabhat films. If Dada had not purchased this wealth,it would have gone to dust. Dada's name will be written in golden letters in history of films.
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A swarm of visitors
Some devotees of Sant Tukaram would ask the guide from where Sant Tukaram went to heaven and they would lift the dust and apply to the forehead. Universal Studios in US had made special arrangements for visitors, but Prabhat was looking after visitors since many days.
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What a mode of transport
"Pandit, one day I have to die. But I will be proud to die as a Prabhat actor." It was time to bid goodbye. I touched his feet and both of us were in tears.
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No RegretSince birth, I was in the film industry. Being a graduate of science, destiny put me in another industry of Glamour. I joined Air India and soon became an aircraft engineer. Later I joined Indian Airlines. Being in Aviation, I had the opportunity of traveling almost all over the world. My wish to God, Aviation Industry got an able Aeronautical Engineer but perhaps Cinema industry has lost a good Director.
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Emperor Shahajahan would have envied meDuring evaluation check, we had to fly from Kanpur to Agra to check Instrument Landing System. We had a number of touch downs and take offs. Our circuit was over the 'Taj Mahal'. The arial view was very very fascinating. Now no aircraft is allowed a few Kms near the world’s monument. I was the luckiest one.
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The magic of tutari
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Hon. K. R. Narayanan stuck to his seat
Ramshastri made him stuck to his seat. He saw Ramshastri till the credits rolled and in the end got up and gave big claps in appreciation. No wonder it was a Prabhat film.
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Can an artist direct a movie?YES – Baburao Painter, Damle, Fatehlal were artists. Today, world renowned artist M. F Hussain has produced and directed "Gaja Gamini" with Madhuri Dixit. No doubt it is going to be a great artistic film. Going as back as 1930, Mr. Hussain was in Prabhat and painted publicity material for the film Sinhagad (Lion Fort).
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