Osian's Auction Catalogue ABC Series III | March 2007

ABC Series III 155 ‘One of the most compelling personalities of the ‘Golden Age’ of Hindustani cinema is, Sohrab (Mervanji) Modi, the Parsi Urdu- Hindi director of Bombay, who founded Minerva Movietone in 1936. A gifted theatre actor the rst lm he directed and acted in was Khoon ka Khoon (Blood for Blood), an adaptation of Hamlet popularized by the Parsi theatre. He tried to deal with contemporary social themes, pertaining in particular to marriage. However, it is as the director who launched the ‘romanticised’ quasi-historical melodramatised genre, with big budgets and spectacular effects, that he is justly remembered, especially for the care which he lavished on sets, costumes and music.’ Yves Thoraval. The Cinemas Of India. New Delhi, Macmillan India Limited, 2000; p.95. 180 Nausherwan-e-Adil A set of 9 Photographic Stills Mounted on Lobby Cards (PHL) of Sohrab Modi’s 1957 lm Each 9.7 x 11.7 in (24.6 x 29.6 cm) [with mount 14.4 x 19.1 in (36.5 x 48.5 cm)] INR 40,000 – 50,000 USD 900 – 1,150 (Set of 9) ‘Sohrab Modi’s lm sets often resembled an akhada or gymnasium. So particular was Modi about details that while shooting for Sikandar (1941) he had even discovered the weight of the historical gure of Sikandar (Alexander the Great). Every alternate day, the actors had to strip down to their underwear and stand on the weighing scales, closely scrutinized by the director. Then the cast was subjected to a strict regime of diet and exercises.’ B D Garga. So Many Cinemas. Mumbai, Eminence Designs, 1996; p.122. 181 Alexander And Chanakya A framed pencil on paper sketch 20.1 x 29.1 in (51.0 x 73.8 cm) Condition: Creases and marks over surface; large tear on right. INR 25,000 – 30,000 USD 550 – 700