Master Vithal

Master Vithal or Vithal (1906–1969) was an actor in Indian cinema, best known as the hero of India's first talkie Alam Ara and of Marathi and Hindi silent stunt films (silent films had cue cards in a particular language), which gave him the epithet as the Douglas Fairbanks of India.

Vithal started his film career in Marathi films in 1924 and worked as a film technician and dancer. He was cast as the male lead in Ratan Manjari (1926) and followed with the swashbuckling roles of many silent stunt films and became a very popular actor. Though he was the male lead of Alam Ara, he hardly had any dialogue due to poor Hindi diction. He returned to silent films and then to talkie Marathi films from 1932 till his last film in 1966. He also directed two films and gave music score to one film. He acted in more than 90 films during his career of 42 years from 1924 to 1966. he became a very popular fearless hero acting in films in historical themes related to Rajasthan and Maharashtra; thus giving him the title "the Indian Douglas Fairbanks", a title Vithal hated. Audience adored him in his stunt hero role, which became his "forte". By 1930, he was the highest paid male star in Indian cinema industry. Alam Ara was also the first film in which music was introduced, as many as ten music scores were part of the film. As his Hindi diction was poor, he could not deliver the dialogues properly; his acting quality in histrionic roles was also questioned. He was thus shown mostly in a state of trans or semi consciousness in the film and hardly had any dialogue. It is said that Vithal could not adopt himself to the new genre of talking-singing films in Hindi as he was "reduced to a hero who is (was) magically stuck dumb in Alam Ara." His talkie debut ended without any demand for his acting roles in Hindi films. In 1932, he switched back to silent films, which were no more in flavour. The talkies led to his decline in Hindi films; Vithal would never get a major role in Hindi films again.

Films Master Vithal acted in more than 90 films, directed two films (Swarajyacha Shiledar and Awara Shahzada), and composed music for only one film, (Kashmir Ki Kali). The list of his movies, in the descending order of their release, has the following names.

Sheras Savva Sher (1966) Shodha Mhanje Sapdel (1966) Sadhi Manse (1965) Vavtal (1965) Mohityanchi Manjula (1963) Vanakesari (1960) Akashganga (1959) Matevin Bal (1958) Naikinicha Sazza (1957) Pavankhind (1956) Tai Teleen (1953) Vaadal (1953) Chhatrapati Shivaji (1952) Mard Maratha (1952) Mayecha Pazhar (1952) Narveer Tanaji (1952) Swarajyacha Shiledar (1951) Shilanganache Sone (1950) Vikram Shashikala (1949) Garibanche Rajya (1948) Jai Bhawani (1947) Jadugar (1946) Kashmir Ki Kali (1946) Rukmini Swayamvar (1946) Sasurvaas (1946) Nagma-e-Sahra (1945) Pannadai (1945) Ramshastri (1944) Bahirji Naik (1943) Soonbai (1942) Amrit (1941) as Vilas Jagat Mohini (1940) Mohini (1940) Netaji Palkar (1939) Asiai Sitara (1937) Hind Mahila (1936) Raj Tarang (1935) Rangila Nawab (1935) Bhedi Rajkumar (1934) Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1934) Burkhewala (1932) Kalo Bhoot (1932) Zalim Jawani (1932) as Pratap Alam Ara (1931) as Adil Anangsena (1931) Daulat Ka Nasha (1931) Dilawar (1931) Gulam (1931) Hoor-E-Misar (1931) Meri Jaan (1931) Arunodaya (1930) Dav Pech (1930) Josh-E-Jawani (1930) Veer Na Ver (1930) Bhedi Sawar (1929) Chirage Kohistan (1929) Mirza Sahiban (1929) Nishan Danka (1929) Ranghelo Rajput (1929) Rank Nu Ratan (1929) Gul Badan (1928) Heer Sundari (1928) Kanak Kanta (1928) Karuna Kumari (1928) Raj Tarang (1928) Sassi Punnu (1928) Saundarya Sura(1928) Sohni Mahiwal (1927/II) Asuri Lalsa (1927) Balidan (1927) Bansari Bala (1927) Bhedi Trishul (1927) Jaan-e-alam Anjuman Ara (1927) Kala Pahad Mahasati Ansuya Shiraz-Ud-Dowla (1927) Swadesh Seva (1927) Vande Mataram Ashram (1927) Veer Garjana (1927) Gunial Gulab (1926) Madan Kala (1926) Ratan Manjari (1926) Suvarna Kamal (1926) Vasant Bala (1926) Bajirao Mastani (1925) Kalyan Khajina (1924) as a dancing girl