Dinshaw Billimoria
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 8:36 pm
Dinshaw Billimoria began his career in 1925 with his debut in the film *Chhatrapati Sambhaji*, directed by N. D. Sarpotdar. In 1927, he joined Imperial Films Company, where he starred alongside Sulochana in *Wildcat of Bombay* (1927) and *Anarkali* (1928), which were major hits.
During the late silent film era (1927-1929) and early talkies (1933-1939), Billimoria and Sulochana became a popular romantic pair, especially in romantic dramas directed by R. S. Choudhury. Billimoria was known as one of the highest-paid silent film stars in India. After 1932, they worked together on sound film remakes of their silent hits, including *Anarkali* (1935) and *Wildcat of Bombay* (1936).
Between 1929 and 1932, he appeared in numerous films for Ranjit Movietone, directed by Chandulal Shah, Nanubhai Vakil, and Nandlal Jaswantlal. He may have directed two films in 1940 and 1942, though one, *Azadi-e-Watan* (1940), could be a dubbed version of a US film.
Billimoria’s brother, Eddie Billimoria, was also an actor.
### Filmography:
**Silent Films:**
- 1925: *Chhatrapati Sambhaji*
- 1926: *Dha Cha Ma*, *Tai Teleen*, *Umaji Naik*
- 1927: *Wildcat of Bombay*, *Daya Ni Devi*, *Vilasi Kanta*
- 1928: *Qatil Kathiyani*, *Anarkali*, *Madhuri*, *Rajrang*
- 1929: *Khwab-e-Hasti*, *Mewad Nu Moti*, *Heer Ranjha*, *Punjab Mail*, *Rajputani*, *Hawai Swar*
- 1930: *Pahadi Kanya*, *Rasili Radha*, *Diwani Dilbar*
- 1931: *Baghdad Nu Bulbul*, *Mojili Mashuq*, *Noor-e-Alam*, *Premi Jogan*
**Sound Films:**
- 1931: *Devi Devayani*
- 1932: *Sati Madalasa*
- 1933: *Daku Ki Ladki*, *Saubhagya Sundari*, *Sulochana*
- 1934: *Gul Sanobar*, *Indira MA*, *Khwab-e-Hasti*, *Piya Pyare*, *Devaki*
- 1935: *Anarkali*, *Do Ghadi Ki Mauj*, *Pujarini*
- 1936: *Bambai Ki Billi*, *Jungle Queen*, *Shaan-e-Hind*
- 1937: *Jagat Kesari*, *New Searchlight*, *Wah Ri Duniya*
- 1939: *Prem Ki Jyot*
- 1942: *Jawani Ki Pukar*