
Sohrab Modi
Sohrab Modi (1897–1984) was one of the towering figures of early Indian cinema—a director, producer, and actor whose work brought historical grandeur and social reform to the silver screen. Known for his booming voice and Shakespearean gravitas, he began his career in theatre and was deeply influenced by Parsi stage traditions. He founded Minerva Movietone in the 1930s, a studio that became synonymous with epic historical dramas and socially relevant films. Modi’s hallmark was his dedication to moral seriousness and elaborate period detail. His most celebrated works include Pukar (1939), Sikandar (1941), and Prithvi Vallabh (1943), films that combined visual splendor with stirring oratory and nationalist undercurrents. He was also a pioneer of courtroom and social dramas—Jhansi Ki Rani (1953), one of India’s first Technicolor films, and Ek Din Ka Sultan (1945) reflected his enduring interest in justice, reform, and strong historical women. Though later overshadowed by more contemporary styles of filmmaking, Sohrab Modi’s legacy remains vital. He helped define the moral and aesthetic vocabulary of early Indian cinema, and his work continues to be remembered for its theatrical eloquence, patriotism, and cultural pride.
19
Films
0
TV Shows
23
Crew Credits
Known For
19 CreditsBehind the Camera
23 Credits
Phir Milenge
Director
1942

Jailor
Director
1938

Pukar
Director
1939

Jhansi Ki Rani
Director, Producer
1953

Mirza Ghalib
Director, Producer
1954

Kundan
Director, Producer
1955

Sikandar
Director, Producer
1941

Waris
Producer
1954

Meetha Zaher
Director
1938

Sheesh Mahal
Director
1950

Khan Bahadur
Director, Producer
1937

Talaq
Director
1938




