Gemini Studios
Encyclopedia
Gemini Studios was launched when Thiruthuraipoondi Subramanian Srinivasan (aka. S. S. Vasan
) (1903–1969) bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film Industry. The Gemini twins became a household symbol and the Gemini flyover was named after the original studio at that junction.
S. S. Vasan
Subramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
) (1903–1969) bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film Industry. The Gemini twins became a household symbol and the Gemini flyover was named after the original studio at that junction.
Early history
S.S.Vasan bought from his friend K. Subramaniam a Film distribution business Motion Picture Producers' Combines studio on Mount Road for Rs.86,427-11-9 and renamed it as Gemini Studios in the year 1940.Time line
- 1941 - MadanakamarajanMadanakamarajanMadanakamarajan is a 1941 Tamil film directed by B. N . Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. It was the first film for Vasan as producer.-Production:...
with the arrival of K. Ramnoth, a cameraman and scenarist, and A.K. Sekhar, art director brought many changes in production. - 1942 - Jeevana MukthiJeevana MukthiJeevana Mukthi or Jeevanmukthi is a 1942 Telugu film produced by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios.-Plot summary:Jeevudu, an untouchable cobbler, leads a saintly life with his wife Seva and son Bhavudu. Because of his devotion, Lord Vishnu appears before him every day, and eats whatever he is given as...
is their first film in Telugu language remake of Bhaktha Chetha (1940) of K. SubramaniamK. SubramaniamKrishnaswami Subramaniam was a renowned Tamil film director of the 30s and 40s. He is the father of popular Indian danseuse Padma Subramanyam.-Biography:...
. - 1943 - Mangamma SapathamMangamma Sapatham (1943 film)Mangamma Sapatham is a 1943 Tamil-language film starring Ranjan, Vasundhara Devi, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Maduram. The film was produced by S. S. Vasan and directed by T. G. Raghavanchari.-Plot:...
- 1945 - Kannamma En Kadhali
- 1947 - Miss MaliniMiss MaliniMiss Malini is a social satire film from South India based on the Mr. Sampath story by R.K. Narayan. It included aspects of life in Madras during the World War II period when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and includes depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral...
- 1948 - KalpanaKalpana (1948 film)Kalpana is a 1948 dance-drama Hindi film written and directed by noted dancer, Uday Shankar, his only film, and story revolves around young dancer’s dream of setting up an academy, a reflection his own, which he eventually did at Almora....
. This was Uday ShankarUday ShankarUday Shankar , the pioneer of modern dance in India, and a world renowned Indian dancer and choreographer, was most known for adapting Western theatrical techniques to traditional Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance, thus laying the roots of...
's dance spectacular, shot at the studio, that set the trend for future choreographers. Also ChandralekhaChandralekha (1948 film)Chandralekha is a 1948 Tamil epic film directed and produced by S. S. Vasan. It features an ensemble cast consisting of M.K.Radha, Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Madhuram...
a magnificent movie by S. S. VasanS. S. VasanSubramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
that was a first for a Tamil to achieve All India distribution and brought excellent returns. - 1949 - Apoorva SahodarargalApoorva Sagodharargal (1949 film)Apoorva Sagodharargal is a Tamil film that released on 21 October 1949 starring M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, directed by Acharya. It is simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages by Gemini Studios. The film was made in Telugu as Apoorva Sahodarulu, directed by C. Pullaiah and...
A `costume adventure` film in three languages - Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and a major success. - 1953 - AvvaiyyarAvvaiyyar-Plot:When a childless Brahmin couple find a baby left alone, they prefer to adopt her. Since they are rich and childless, they raise her in wealth and pomp. But when the girl grows up, she concentrates upon Lord Vinayaka and not thinking of marriage like other girls of her age. When the parents...
-A Tamil film that proved a major box-office hit. - 1955 - InsaniyatInsaniyat (1955 film)Insaniyat is a 1955 Hindi film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Bina Rai, Jayant and Shobhana Samarth. The film songs written by Rajendra Krishna. The films music is by C. Ramachandra. It is remake of 1950 Telugu film Palletoori Pilla .-Cast:*Shobhna...
-A Hindi film starring Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. - 1958 - Vanjikottai Valiban and Raj Tilak - A Tamil and Hindi film starring Gemini Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala and Padmini.
- 1959 - PaighamPaighamPaigham is a 1959 Hindi movie produced and directed by S S Vassan. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Raaj Kumar, Saroja Devi, Motilal and Johnny Walker. The films music is by C. Ramachandra. This was the first time Dilip and Raaj Kumar appeared in a film together. They later appeared...
- A Hindi film starring Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala and Raaj Kumar. - 1966 - Motor Sundaram Pillai - This was Sivaji Ganesan's sole film for Gemini Studios. After S.S. Vasan's death, his son S.S. Balasubramanyam took the reins.
- 1969 - Manushulu MaraliManushulu MaraliManushulu Marali is a 1969 Telugu Drama film directed by V. Madhusudhan Rao and starring Shoban Babu and Sharada.-Cast:* Shoban Babu* Shrada* Haranath* Kanchana* Gummadi Venkateswara Rao* Krishnam Raju-Soundtrack:...
- A Telugu film starring Shoban Babu. - 1975 - Ellorum NallavareEllorum NallavareEllorum nallavare is a Tamil film acted by Muthuraman and directed by Balan. This story is an adaptation of the Kannada film Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu. V...
- This was a flop and the studio's fortunes declined in the 70s and it was taken over by Anand Cine Services later.