Sohrab Modi
Born 1897 (age 86)
Appears in 28 titles

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.

Filmography

Pukar
6.6
Pukar
1939
Director
Jhansi Ki Rani
6.6
Jhansi Ki Rani
1953
Director
Mirza Ghalib
6.6
Mirza Ghalib
1954
Director
Nausherwan-E-Adil
8.0
Nausherwan-E-Adil
1957
Director
Raj Hath
7.5
Raj Hath
1956
Director
Kundan
7.0
Kundan
1955
Director
Jailor
8.0
Jailor
1958
Director
Bharosa
7.0
Bharosa
1940
Director
Jailor
10.0
Jailor
1938
Director
Ek Din Ka Sultan
10.0
Ek Din Ka Sultan
1945
Director
Prithvi Vallabh
7.0
Prithvi Vallabh
1943
Director
Khoon Ka Khoon
9.0
Khoon Ka Khoon
1935
Director
Said-e-Havas
10.0
Said-e-Havas
1936
Director
Atma Tarang
9.0
Atma Tarang
1937
Director
Sheesh Mahal
Sheesh Mahal
1950
Director
Parakh
7.0
Parakh
1944
Director
Meetha Zaher
9.0
Meetha Zaher
1938
Director
Phir Milenge
8.0
Phir Milenge
1942
Director
Khan Bahadur
9.0
Khan Bahadur
1937
Director
Sikandar
Sikandar
1941
Director