A.R. Kardar
| Abdur Rashid Kardar | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 2 October 1904 Lahore, British Raj |
| Died | 22 November 1989 (aged 85) Mumbai, India |
| Nationality | Indian and British Indian |
| Occupation | Film Director,Film Producer |
| Organization | Bollywood |
| Spouse(s) | Akhtar Sultana Kardar |
Abdur Rashid Kardar (1904–1989), often abbreviated as A.R. Kardar, was an actor and film director/film producer. He is credited as establishing the film industry in the Bhati Gate locality of Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan).
Kardar started as an arts scholar and a calligraphist making posters for foreign film productions and writing for newspapers of the early 1920s. His work would often lead him to meet filmmakers around India.
In 1924, the first silent film, The Daughters of Today was released in Lahore at a time when the city only had nine operational cinema houses. Most of the films shown in theatres in Lahore were either made in Bombay or Calcuta, besides ones made in Hollywood or London. The Daughters of Today was the brain-child of G.K. Mehta, a former officer with the North-Western Railway, who had imported a camera into the country for this very project from London. He asked Kardar to assist him as an assistant director on the project and ended up giving Kardar his début role in his film as an actor.Muhammad Ismail, his friend and fellow calligraphist, accompanied Kardar in the making of the film.
The film was produced in the first open studio in the city near the Bradlaw Hall. It is believed that some other films had been produced indigenously at the studios which had to be closed down due to unsaid financial reasons. After finishing shooting for the film, Kardar was left with no other role and was neither approached for one for a long time. Hailing from the Bhati Gate locality, where it was not unusual to find writers and poets, Kardar saw a viable future for a film industry.
In 1928, with no work left after their maiden venture, Kardar and Ismail sold their belongings to set up a studio and production company under the name of United Players Corporation, the foundation stone for the film industry in Lahore. After scouting for locations, they settled for their offices to be established at Ravi Road. Although, the dim-lit area presented with much difficulties after the studios were established. Shootings were only possible in the day-light but nevertheless the area had some very important landmarks like the Ravi Forest and the tombs of Mughal emperor Jahangir and his wife Nur Jahan.
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