Dhirendra Nath Ganguly, popularly known as Dhiren Ganguly, was the pioneer of Bengali Film.

Industry and was a director and actor of the Bengal film industry. He was bestowed the Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Bengali Films. Dhiren Ganguly established a few film production companies, namely, Lotus Film Company, British Dominion Films and Indo British Film Company. In a later stage, Ganguly used to direct films for New Theatres.

Early Life of Dhiren Nath Ganguly
Dhirendra Nath Ganguly was born on 26th March 1893 and is regarded as one of the founders of the Bengal film industry. Dhirendranath Ganguly studied Visva Bharati University situated in Shantiniketan and married a distant relative of Rabindranath Tagore. He became a headmaster of State Art School in Hyderabad. He was renowned as a master of make-up techniques, which he elaborately showcased in his photography book Bhavki Abhibyakti in 1915. He also taught this art to C.I.D. officers in both British India and independent India.

Career of Dhiren Nath Ganguly
Dhiren Ganguly`s photography book brought him in contact of Jamshetji Framji Madan, who was ready to invest in his films. Dhiren Ganguly and Madan Theatres` manager, Nitish Lahiri formed, the Indo British Film Co. that was the first film production company owned by the Bengalis, in 1918. Bilat Ferat, which released in 1921, was a silent comedy film directed by Nitish Lahiri and the first release from this production company. This movie became a successful and eventually they released another 2 movies in 1922, Yashoda Nandan and Sadhu Aur Shaitan.

In 1919, the Jalianwala Baug massacre took place. After, which a string of events like Rabindra Nath Tagore returning his knighthood and the British jailing Mahatma Gandhi, clamped down upon the media, all had an effect on the films resulting to heavy censoring. The Calcutta Board of Censors thus, denied certificates to 13 of the 49 films up before it, severely cutting the rest. After this Dhiren Ganguly returned to Hyderabad, and under the Nizam`s patronage, formed the Lotus Film Company. He had set up a number of film production companies, namely the Indo British Film Company, British Dominion Films and other small ones. He remained lucky with the comedies - Lady Teacher and The Marriage Tonic. Later, he produced many movies in comedy genre.

In 1924, Razia Begum was released at Dhiren Ganguly`s theatre. The film dealt with Razia Sultana, the daughter of Iltutmish and her love for an Abyssinian slave. However, this theme had enraged the Nizam. Thus, Ganguly was ordered to leave Hyderabad within a day. In 1928, Ganguly returned to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and set up British Dominion Film Company. In 1930, Flames of Flesh was released. The film was on the life of the celebrated beauty, Rani Padmini of Chittor, was shot in Amber Palace, Rajasthan. During the Talkies Era, Dhiren Ganguly joined Barua Pictures Company of Pramathesh Chandra Barua. But, soon both of them joined B. N. Sircar`s New Theatres.

Dhiren Ganguly received the prestigious Padma Bhushan in the year 1974 and was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1975.

Filmography of Dhiren Nath Ganguly

As a Director