| Gujarati cinema | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| No. ofscreens | 731 (2022)[1] |
| Main distributors | CineMan Productions Coconut Motion Pictures Rupam Entertainment |
| Produced feature films (2019) | |
| Total | 80 |
Gujarati cinema, also known asDhollywood, is the segment ofIndian cinema, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in theGujarati language widely spoken in the state ofGujarat. It is based inAhmedabad. It is one of the major regional and vernacular film industries of thecinema of India, having produced more than one thousand films since its inception.
During the silent film era, many individuals in the industry wereGujaratis. The language-associated industry dates back to 1932, when the first Gujaratitalkie,Narsinh Mehta, was released. Until theindependence of India in 1947, only twelve Gujarati films were produced. There was a spurt in film production in the 1940s focused on saint, sati[A] ordacoit stories as well asmythology and folktales. In the 1950s–1960s, the trend continued with the addition of films on literary works. In the 1970s, theGovernment of Gujarat announced atax exemption and subsidies which resulted in an increase in the number of films, but the quality declined.
After flourishing through the 1960s–1980s, the industry saw a decline through 2000 when the number of new films dropped below twenty. The Gujarat state government announced a tax exemption again in 2005 which lasted until 2017. The industry has been partially revived in the 2010s due first to rural demand, and later to an influx of new technology and urban subjects in films. The state government announced a policy of incentives in 2016.
Bollywood, thesobriquet for the Hindi language film industry based inMumbai (then called Bombay), inspired the nicknameDhollywood for the Gujarati film industry due to its profuse use of thedhol, a double-headed drum. It is also referred to asGollywood, aportmanteau derived fromGujarat and Bollywood.[4][5][6]
Even before the advent oftalkies there were several silent films closely related to theGujarati people and their culture, and many directors, producers and actors who were Gujarati andParsi. Between 1913 and 1931 there were twenty leading film company and studios owned by Gujaratis—mostly inBombay (nowMumbai)—and at least forty-four leading Gujarati directors.[4]
The silent filmBilwamangal (also calledBhagat Soordas, 1919) was directed by Rustomji Dhotiwala, a Parsi Gujarati, based on a story by Gujarati writer Champshi Udeshi. This full-length (132 minutes, 12,000 feet (3,700 m)) film was produced byElphinstone Bioscope Company of Calcutta (nowKolkata inWest Bengal), and is consideredBengali. Suchet Singh established the Oriental Film Manufacturing Company of Bombay with the help ofHajimahamad Allarakha, an editor of the popular Gujarati magazineVisami Sadi, in 1919. The silent filmNarsinh Mehta (1920), produced by Oriental, featured the Gujarati song"Vaishnav Jan To", which was sung by the audience and musicians in cinema halls with relevant scenes on screen.[4]
Dwarkadas Sampat, an early Gujarati film producer, began his involvement with the film industry inRajkot. He bought a projector and held film shows. He later established Patankar Friends & Company withS. N. Patankar for film productions.Raja Sriyal was the company's first film, but it was not released due to a defective print.Kach-Devyani (1920), directed by Patankar, featuredgarba dancing, marking the first appearance of Gujarati culture in films. Sampat later founded theKohinoor Film Company. Kohinoor's first film,Sati Parvati (1920), which also depicted Gujarati culture, was directed by Vishnupant Divekar and featured Prabha, an actress fromRajkot, in the lead role ofParvati.Bhakta Vidur (1921), directed byKanjibhai Rathod, was implicitly political: The film featured Sampat in the lead role ofVidur, who donned aGandhi cap, an allusion to theIndian independence movement led byMahatma Gandhi. The film had a Gujarati song sung by Vidur's wife, "Rudo Maro Rentiyo, Rentiyama Nikle Taar, Taare Taare Thay Bharatno Uddhar",[B] referred to the spinning wheel (rentio) on the flag of theIndian National Congress at that time. It was the first film banned in India byBritish authorities. It was re-released in 1922 under the titleDharm Vijay.Pavagadhnu Patan (The Fall of Pavagadh, 1928) was directed by Nagendra Majumdar and produced byIndulal Yagnik. Yagnik was an independence activist who later headed theMahagujarat movement demanding a separateGujarat state. Yagnik produced ten films under various banners.[4]
Kohinoor produced many films in the silent film era, includingsocial problem films in a period dominated by mythological films.Katorabhar Khoon (1920) was its first social film.Manorama (1924) was directed byHomi Master and was based onHridaya Triputi, an autobiographical poem by the Gujarati poetKalapi.Gul-E-Bakavali (1924), written byMohanlal G. Dave and directed by Rathod, ran successfully for fourteen weeks.[7]Manilal Joshi, an experimental Gujarati director, directedVeerAbhimanyu (1922), which was produced by the Star Film Company, and laterPrithvi Vallabh (1924) based onthe novel by Gujarati authorK. M. Munshi.[4]
The Krishna Film Company, established in 1924 and owned by Maneklal Patel, produced forty-four films between 1925 and 1931. The Sharda Film Company was established in 1925, financed by Mayashankar Bhatt and run by Bhogilal Dave and Nanubhai Desai. Bhatt also financedDadasaheb Phalke's Hindustan Cinema Film Company.[4]
Before the 1931 release of the first full-length Indian sound film,Alam Ara, a short Gujarati sound film,Chav Chavno Murabbo, was released on 4 February 1931 in Bombay. It included the songMane Mankad Karde ("A Bug Bites Me"), the first sound in any Indian film. The film was produced by Maneklal Patel, with lyrics and dialogue by Natwar Shyam. The title, literally "Chew Chew's Marmalade", refers to having to chewmarmalade to swallow it and probably has no specific connection to the plot.[4][8]
Before the first full-length Gujarati sound film,Narsinh Mehta (1932), two short Gujarati sound films were released with Hindi talkies. The two-reel shortKrishna–Sudama, produced by the Imperial Film Company, was released with Hindi talkieNek Abala. Another two-reel short,Mumbai ni Shethani was premiered along with Madan'sShirin Farhad on 9 January 1932 at Wellington Cinema, Bombay. It was produced by Theatres of Calcutta and was based on the story written by Champshi Udeshi. The film starred Mohan, Miss Sharifa and Surajram and included the Gujarati songFashion ni Fishiari, Juo, Mumbai ni Shethani.[4]
The release of the first full-length Gujarati talkie,Narsinh Mehta on 9 April 1932 marks the true beginning of Gujarati cinema. It was directed byNanubhai Vakil, produced by Sagar Movietone, and starred Mohanlala, Marutirao, Master Manhar, and MissMehtab. It was of the 'saint' genre and was on the life of the saintNarsinh Mehta.[4][5][9][10][11]
It was followed in 1932 bySati Savitri, based on the epic story ofSavitri and Satyavan, and in 1935 by the comedyGhar Jamai, directed byHomi Master.Ghar Jamai starred: Heera, Jamna, Baby Nurjehan, Amoo, Alimiya, Jamshedji, and Gulam Rasool. It featured a 'resident son-in-law' and his escapades as well as his problematic attitude towards the freedom of women.[4][12]
Gunsundari was made three times from 1927 to 1948. The film was such a success in itsfirst appearance in 1927, that directorChandulal Shahremade it in Hindi in 1934. It was remade again inGujarati and Hindi in 1948 by Ratibhai Punatar.Gunsundari is the story of a poor Indian woman who is disliked by her husband for her moral stand. The woman finally lands on the street where she meets a person who is just like her—a social outcast. The story ends there. However, the three versions include some changes to reflect their times.[4][13]
There were twelve films released between 1932 and 1940. No Gujarati films were produced in 1933, 1937 or 1938. From 1941 to 1946 there was no production, due to the rationing of raw materials duringWorld War II.[4]
After theindependence of India in 1947, there was a surge in the production of Gujarati films. Twenty-six films were produced in 1948 alone. Between 1946 and 1952, seventy-four films were produced including twenty-seven films related to saint, sati ordacoit stories. These stories were designed to appeal to rural audiences familiar with such subjects. Several films produced during this period were associated with myths or folktales people were familiar with.[4][14]
Vishnukumar M. Vyas directedRanakdevi (1946) based on the legend ofRanakdevi.[13]Nirupa Roy made her debut as an actress in the film and later succeeded in the Hindi film industry playing the role of a mother in various films.Meerabai (1946) was a remake of the Hindi film directed by Nanubhai Bhatt starring Nirupa Roy.[9][15][16] Punatar directedGunsundari (1948) also starring Nirupa Roy.Kariyavar (1948), directed byChaturbhuj Doshi, introducedDina Pathak to the film audience. Doshi also directedVevishal (1949), an adaptation of the novel of the same name byJhaverchand Meghani.[13] Punatar'sMangalfera (1949) was a remake of the Hindi filmShaadi (1941) produced byRanjit Movietone. Other popular Gujarati films wereVadilona Vanke (1948) directed by Ramchandra Thakur;Gadano Bel (1950) directed by Ratibhai Punatar based on the play by Prabhulal Dwivedi; andLiludi Dharati (1968) directed by Vallabh Choksi based onthe novel of the same name byChunilal Madia.[4]Liludi Dharati was the Gujarati cinema's first colour film.[5][17]
Between 1951 and 1970, there was a decline in film production with only fifty-five films produced during this period.Malela Jeev (1956) was directed by Manhar Raskapur based onthe novel of same name byPannalal Patel which was scripted by the novelist himself. Raskapur and producer-actor Champshibhai Nagda produced several films including:Jogidas Khuman (1948),Kahyagaro Kanth (1950),Kanyadan (1951),Mulu Manek (1955),Malela Jeev (1956),Kadu Makrani (1960),Mendi Rang Lagyo (1960),Jogidas Kuman (1962),Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963) andKalapi (1966).[13]Akhand Saubhagyavati was the first Gujarati film financed by the Film Finance Corporation (now theNational Film Development Corporation) and starredAsha Parekh in the lead role.[4]Kanku (1969), directed byKantilal Rathod, was based on the short story byPannalal Patel originally written in 1936 and later expanded into a novel in 1970.Kanku won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the17th National Film Awards, and its actress Pallavi Mehta won an award at theChicago International Film Festival.[4][18]
Sanjeev Kumar, a popular Hindi film actor, acted in:Ramat Ramade Ram (1964),Kalapi (1966) andJigar ane Ami (1970).[4]Jigar ane Ami was adapted from the novel of same name byChunilal Vardhman Shah.[4][17]Vidhata (1956),Chundadi Chokha (1961),Ghar Deevdi (1961),Nandanvan (1961),Gharni Shobha (1963),Panetar (1965),Mare Jaavu Pele Paar (1968),Bahuroopi (1969) andSansarleela (1969) were adapted from Gujarati literary works.[4]
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Following theMahagujarat movement, the separate linguistic states ofGujarat andMaharashtra were formed from theBombay State on 1 May 1960. This had a great impact on the Gujarati film industry as Bombay, the centre of film production, fell in Maharashtra. There was a lack of major film production houses and studios in Gujarat resulting in a decline in the quality and number of films.[4]
In the 1970s, theGovernment of Gujarat announced subsidies and tax exemptions for Gujarati films resulting in a spurt in film production. A studio was established inVadodara in 1972. The state policy which benefited producers cost the state₹8 crore (equivalent to₹164 crore or US$19 million in 2023) in 1981–1982 for the thirty-nine films produced during that period. An entertainment tax exemption of₹3 lakh (equivalent to₹61 lakh or US$73,000 in 2023) was announced for producers who completed films. This policy resulted in an influx of people interested in monetary benefits who did not have any technical or artistic knowledge, thus the quality of films declined substantially. After 1973 a large number of films were produced focused on deities anddacoits. In 1980, the tax exemption was reduced to 70% but the remaining 30% was given to producers for assistance in other ways.[4][19]
Gunsundarino Gharsansar (1972), directed by Govind Saraiya, won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the20th National Film Awards.[20] The film was based on the novelSaraswatichandra and was considered important for its artistry and aesthetic.[17] Feroze A. Sarkar directedJanamteep (1973) adapted from the novel of same name byIshwar Petlikar.[4]Kanti Madia adaptedVinodini Nilkanth's short storyDariyav Dil for the filmKashino Dikro (1979).[4][21]Babubhai Mistry directed a dozen films between 1969 and 1984. Dinesh Raval directed twenty six hit films including:Mena Gurjari (1975),Amar Devidas (1981) andSant Rohidas (1982). Actor-director Krishna Kant, popularly known as KK, directed about a dozen Gujarati films including:Kulvadhu (1977),Gharsansar (1978),Visamo (1978) andJog Sanjog (1980). These films were critically as well as popularly well received. KK had long and successful acting career in Hindi andBengali cinema too.Mehul Kumar directed several hits including:Janam Janam na Sathi (1977),Ma Vina Suno Sansar (1982),Dholamaru (1983) andMeru Malan (1985).Jesal Toral (1971) directed byRavindra Dave was one of the biggest hits of Gujarati cinema. He also directed over twenty-five films popular with audiences.Chandrakant Sangani directed the musical filmTanariri (1975), based on the Gujarati folk-lore ofTana and Riri, which highlighted a little-known side ofAkbar who is usually presented as a consistently benign ruler. He also directedKariyavar (1977) based on the novelVanzari Vaav byShayda.Sonbai ni Chundadi (1976), directed by Girish Manukant, was the first Gujaraticinemascope film.Mansai na Deeva (1984), directed by Govind Saraiya, was based on the novel of the same name byJhaverchand Meghani. Subhash J. Shah directed several popular films:Lohi Bhini Chundadi (1986),Prem Bandhan (1991),Oonchi Medina Ooncha Mol (1996),Parbhavni Preet (1997), andMahisagarna Moti (1998).[4]
From 1973 to 1987,Arun Bhatt produced several films matching the production values of Hindi films. He made several films with urban backgrounds such asMota Gharni Vahu,Lohini Sagaai (1980) based on the novel by Ishwar Petlikar,Paarki Thaapan,Shetal Tara Oonda Paani (1986) which were commercially as well as critically successful. His moviePooja na Phool, made in the early 1980s, won him an award for the Best Film from the Government of Gujarat and was also telecast onDoordarshan in the Sunday slot for regional award-winning films.[4]
Bhavni Bhavai (1980), directed byKetan Mehta, was produced byNational Film Development Corporation, the Sanchar Film Cooperative Society, and a district bank inAhmedabad. Though the film was not a folk theatre form ofBhavai, it incorporated several elements of it.[9][22] It was praised for performances and camerawork, and won awards such as theNational Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, theNational Film Award for Best Art Direction for Meera Lakhia, and another award at the Nantes festival in France.[22] The Parsi Gujarati filmPercy (1989) directed by Pervez Merwanji won the National Award for the Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the37th National Film Awards.[23]Hun Hunshi Hunshilal (1991), directed by Sanjiv Shah, was anallegory film inspired by the political environment of the time and was felt to be post-modern. In 1998,Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya directed byGovindbhai Patel became very successful and went on to become a super-hit. The film grossed₹22 crore (US$2.6 million), the highest in the Gujarati cinema at that time, with 1.5crore (15 million) people watching the film.[24][5][25][26]Vipul Amrutlal Shah produced and directedDariya Chhoru in 1999 which was well received by the critics but failed commercially.[4][27] Other hit films of 1990s wereManvini Bhavai (1993),Unchi Medi Na Uncha Mol (1997) andPandadu Lilu Ne Rang Rato (1999).[12]
Upendra Trivedi was one of the most successful Gujarati actors and producers.[5][28] He producedJher To Pidhan Jaani Jaani (1972) based on the epic novel of the same name byManubhai Pancholi 'Darshak'. He also produced, acted and directed inManvi ni Bhavai (1993) based on thenovel of the same name byPannalal Patel.[29][30] The film was widely appreciated and went to win the National Award for the Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the41st National Film Awards.[31]Arvind Trivedi,Mahesh Kanodia,Naresh Kanodia,[32]Rajendra Kumar,Asrani,Kiran Kumar, Rajiv, Arvind Kirad,Naresh Kanodia, andHiten Kumar had long and successful careers.[5][21]Ramesh Mehta andP. Kharsani were popular for their comic roles. Popular Gujarati film actresses included:Mallika Sarabhai,Rita Bhaduri,Aruna Irani,Jayshree T.,Bindu,Asha Parekh, and Snehlata.[21][4]
Avinash Vyas was one of the major composers of the Gujarati cinema who wrote music for 168 Gujarati films and 61 Hindi films.[5] His son Gaurang Vyas was also a composer who wrote the music forBhavni Bhavai. Mahesh-Naresh composed the music for several Gujarati films includingTanariri.[4] Another notable music composer wasAjit Merchant.[33]
Some 368 Gujarati feature films and 3,562 Gujarati short films were produced by 1981.[34] The Gujarat Film Development Corporation (GFDC) established to promote Gujarati films was closed in 1998.[35]
The quality of the films declined due to the focus on recovering the financial investments and profits as well as not adapting to changing times, technology and demographics. Low budget films with compromised quality targeted rural audiences while urban audiences moved to television and Bollywood films with quality content as they had a fair understanding of theHindi language.[5]
Fewer than twenty films a year were produced in the early 2000s.[4] In 2005, the government of Gujarat announced a 100%entertainment tax exemption forU and U/A certified films and 20% tax on A certified films.[36] The government also announced₹5 lakh (US$5,900) subsidy for Gujarati films.[35][37][38][39] There was an increase in the number of films produced after 2005 due to the tax exemption and the rise in demand for films in ruralnorth Gujarat, especiallyBanaskantha district. The demand was fueled by the working class population demanding local musical and linguistic styled films which were mostly released in single screen cinemas. The number of films produced per year was over sixty in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, the Gujarati cinema produced a record number of seventy-two films.[5]Maiyar Ma Mandu Nathi Lagtu (2001) directed byJashwant Gangani, starringHiten Kumar, was well received. The film's sequel was released in 2008.[40]Gam Ma Piyariyu Ne Gam Ma Sasariyu (2005) andMuthi Uchero Manas (2006) were also well received by audiences.[12]Dholi Taro Dhol Vage (2008) directed byGovindbhai Patel, was produced byReliance BIG Pictures.[41]Vikram Thakor starred in several films includingEk Var Piyu Ne Malva Aavje (2006). His six films for rural audiences earned₹3 crore (equivalent to₹9.6 crore or US$1.1 million in 2023). He was called the superstar of Gujarati cinema by various media.[42][5]Hiten Kumar, Chandan Rathod,[4]Hitu Kanodia, Mamta Soni, Roma Manek andMona Thiba are popular among rural audiences.[43][44][45]
Love Is Blind (2005) was the first Gujarati film released in themultiplexes.[46] TheBetter Half (2008) directed byAshish Kakkad failed commercially but drew the attention of critics and an urban audience. It was the first Gujarati film onsuper 16 mm format.[4]Little Zizou, a 2009 film in Hindi, Gujarati, and English, written and directed bySooni Taraporevala, won the Silver Lotus Award in theNational Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare category at the56th National Film Awards.Muratiyo No. 1 (2005) andVanechandno Varghodo (2007), both starringDevang Patel, were big budget films but had moderate collections.[42] In August 2011, the Gujarati film industry reached a milestone, having produced over a thousand films since the beginning of the talkies.[47]Veer Hamirji (2012) was an historical film which was shortlisted for Indian representation at theOscars.[48]The Good Road (2013), directed by Gyan Correa, won theBest Feature Film in Gujarati at the60th National Film Awards and later became the first Gujarati film ever selected to represent India at the Oscars.[49][50] The film won the Best Feature Film Jury Award at the Indian Film Festival, Houston in October 2013.[51][52]
Kevi Rite Jaish (2012) andBey Yaar(2014), both directed byAbhishek Jain; became commercially and critically successful drawing an urban audience.[53] The success of these films drew new actors, directors and producers to the Gujarati film industry which resulted in a spurt in film productions.[47][54][55]Gujjubhai the Great andChhello Divas were declared hit films of 2015.[24] The box office collection of Gujarati films increased from₹7 crore (US$830,000) in 2014 to₹55 crore (US$6.5 million) in 2015.[56][57] Total 65 and 68 films were released in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Total number of screens playing Gujarati films rose from 20 to 25 in 2011 to about 150–160 in 2015.[58]
The₹5 lakh (US$5,900)subsidy by the Government of Gujarat was discontinued in August 2013. Three years later, in February 2016, a new incentive policy was announced which was focused on the quality of films. Films are graded in four categories, A to D, based on technical aspects, production quality, film components, and box office performance. The producers are provided with assistance of₹50 lakh (US$59,000) for A grade,₹25 lakh (US$30,000) for B grade,₹10 lakh (US$12,000) for C grade and₹5 lakh (US$5,900) for D grade films or 75% of production costs whichever is lower. A film can also receive additional incentives for its performance at film festivals and awards nominations/wins. The multiplexes are also directed to have at least forty-nine screenings of Gujarati films per year.[59][60][61][62] The entertainment tax exemption for Gujarati films released in Gujarat ended with an introduction of theGoods and Services Tax in July 2017.[36]
The industry continued to grow due to improvement in production quality, increased use of technology, increased film marketing and new subjects targeted at youth.[63][64] About 50 to 70 films are released each year between 2016 and 2018.[65] The International Gujarati Film Festival made its debut inNew Jersey,US in August 2018.[66]Wrong Side Raju (2016),Dhh (2017),Reva (2018) won the Best Feature Film in Gujarati awards at the64th,65th and66th National Film Awards respectively.[67][68][69]Hellaro (2019) became the first Gujarati film to win theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film at the 66th National Film Awards.[12]Chaal Jeevi Laiye! (2019) became thehighest-grossing film of Gujarati cinema grossing overest. ₹52.14 crore (US$6.2 million).[70]
Due toCOVID-19 pandemic, all cinema halls in Gujarat were ordered to be closed from March to October 2020.[71][72] They were closed again in March–April 2021 due to resurgence of the pandemic.[73][74]Chhello Show (2021), directed byPan Nalin, was selected as theIndian entry for theBest International Feature Film at the95th Academy Awards.[75] According to film producer Bhavesh Upadhyay and publicist Chetan Chauhan, the annual business of Gujarati cinema had reached about₹200 crore (US$24 million) by 2022. As of 2022[update], the average film production cost ranges between₹2 crore (US$240,000) and₹2.5 crore (US$300,000) and around 60 Gujarati films were released in each of the recent years.[76][77]Gandhi & Co. (2022) directed byManish Saini won the Golden Lotus Awards as theBest Children's Film at69th National Film Awards.[78]Kutch Express (2023) directed byViral Shah won three awards at70th National Film Awards.[79] Gujarati cinema continues to struggle with originality, marketing, and a lack of consistent audience support compared to other Indian regional film industries.[80] According to the Ormax Box Office Report, Gujarati-language films experienced a 66 % growth in box office collections in 2024 compared to the previous year, exceeding ₹80 crore and second only to Malayalam cinema.[81] The horror filmVash (2023) byKrishnadev Yagnik won the Best Feature Film in Gujarati awards at the71st National Film Awards with lead actressJanki Bodiwala winning theBest Actress in a Supporting Role.[82] According to Ormax media, in 2025, Gujarati movies collectively surpassed₹100 crore (US$12 million) gross boxoffice for the first time and highlighted the diversity of genres of successful films.[83]. The same year, the filmLaalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate became the highest-grossing Gujarati film of all time and second film to gross more₹50 crore (US$5.9 million) afterChaal Jeevi Laiye!.
The scripts and stories of the Gujarati films include relationship and family oriented subjects, as well as human aspirations and Gujarati family culture. There were a large number of films based on mythological narratives and folklore produced in the early years of Gujarati cinema.[65] The lives of popular saints andsatis of Gujarat, likeNarsinh Mehta andGangasati, were made into films. They were targeted at rural audiences familiar with the subjects. The early filmmakers also included subjects dealing with social reforms. There were social films associated with family life and marriage such asGunsundari andKariyavar. The historical, social and religious subjects dominated through 1940s and 1950s. Several Gujarati films were adapted from Gujarati novels and stories such asKashino Dikro. There was a spurt again in the 1970s for saint/sati films. In 1980s and 90s, the films were influenced by the Hindi cinema and several action and romance films were produced. In the early 2000s, films were targeted chiefly at rural audiences demanding local narratives with local linguistic style. Following 2005, the introduction of urban subjects led to a revival of the Gujarati cinema.[4][84][85][86][87][77] In 2010s, the films which are more relevant to audiences were produced.[88][89][12] Though the comedies continue to succeed at the box office, the films were produced exploring other genres and new themes as well.[90][77] The films dealing with social issues were also made frequently.[91] The films focused on largeGujarati diaspora are also produced.[65]
About one thousand and thirty Gujarati films were made between 1932 and 2011 but very few are archived. At theNational Film Archive of India (NFAI), only twenty Gujarati films including two Parsi-Gujarati films,Pestoneei (1987) directed by Vijaya Mehta andPercy (1989) directed by Pervez Merwanji, are archived. No silent films or talkies of 1930s and 1940s survived.[4]
Among the actors Upendra Trivedi (1960—) had the longest and most successful career as a major Gujarati star and producer, and is also known for his stage productions.
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| Regions of Gujarat | ||
| Districts | ||
| Major cities | ||
| Ecoregions | ||
| Economy | ||
