Raja Sandow (born P. K. Nagalingam) was an Indian film actor, film
director and producer. He began his career as an actor in silent films
and later became a prominent actor and director in Tamil and Hindi
films of the 1930s. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of
early Indian cinema.Raja Sandow was born in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu. He
was trained as a gymnast and started his film career as a stunt actor
in S.N. Patankar's National Film Company at Bombay. He was given the
name "Raja Sandow" because of his physique (after strongman Eugen
Sandow). His first lead role was in Patankar's Bhaktha Bhodhana
(1922), for which he was paid Rs. 101 as salary. He became famous by
starring in silent films like Veer Bhemsen (1923), The Telephone Girl
(1926). After acting in a few silent films he also worked as a
director in Ranjit Studios for a monthly salary. His first film as
director was Sneh Jyoti (1928).Returning to Tamil Nadu, he directed
and acted in a number of silent films for R. Padmanaban's Associate
Film Company. Many of his silent films had reformist social themes
like Peyum pennum (1930), Nandhanar (1930), Anadhai Penn (1931), Pride
of Hindustan (1931) and sathi usha sundari (1931). After talking films
were introduced with Alam Ara in 1931, he went back to Bombay and
starred in many Hindi and Tamil talkies. He was often paired with the
actresses Gohar and Sulochana (Ruby Myers). Between 1932â€"35, he
acted in many socially themed Hindi films like Shyam sundar (1932),
Devaki (1934) and Indira MA (1935). In 1935, he was commissioned to
direct his first Tamil film Menaka and returned to Madras. He
continued directing and acting in films till his death in 1943.
Vasantha Sena(1936), Chalak Chor (1936), Chandra kantha (1936),
Vishnuleela (1938), Thiruneelakantar (1939) and Choodamani (1941) were
some of the films he directed and starred in during that period. The
last film he worked in was Sivakavi (1943). Sandow suffered a heart
attack and died at Coimbatore on 25 November 1943. He was survived by
his wife Leelabai and one Son.
director and producer. He began his career as an actor in silent films
and later became a prominent actor and director in Tamil and Hindi
films of the 1930s. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of
early Indian cinema.Raja Sandow was born in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu. He
was trained as a gymnast and started his film career as a stunt actor
in S.N. Patankar's National Film Company at Bombay. He was given the
name "Raja Sandow" because of his physique (after strongman Eugen
Sandow). His first lead role was in Patankar's Bhaktha Bhodhana
(1922), for which he was paid Rs. 101 as salary. He became famous by
starring in silent films like Veer Bhemsen (1923), The Telephone Girl
(1926). After acting in a few silent films he also worked as a
director in Ranjit Studios for a monthly salary. His first film as
director was Sneh Jyoti (1928).Returning to Tamil Nadu, he directed
and acted in a number of silent films for R. Padmanaban's Associate
Film Company. Many of his silent films had reformist social themes
like Peyum pennum (1930), Nandhanar (1930), Anadhai Penn (1931), Pride
of Hindustan (1931) and sathi usha sundari (1931). After talking films
were introduced with Alam Ara in 1931, he went back to Bombay and
starred in many Hindi and Tamil talkies. He was often paired with the
actresses Gohar and Sulochana (Ruby Myers). Between 1932â€"35, he
acted in many socially themed Hindi films like Shyam sundar (1932),
Devaki (1934) and Indira MA (1935). In 1935, he was commissioned to
direct his first Tamil film Menaka and returned to Madras. He
continued directing and acting in films till his death in 1943.
Vasantha Sena(1936), Chalak Chor (1936), Chandra kantha (1936),
Vishnuleela (1938), Thiruneelakantar (1939) and Choodamani (1941) were
some of the films he directed and starred in during that period. The
last film he worked in was Sivakavi (1943). Sandow suffered a heart
attack and died at Coimbatore on 25 November 1943. He was survived by
his wife Leelabai and one Son.
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