Birendranath Sircar, Film Producer
Film Producer

Birendranath Sircar

Born 1 January 1901 · West Bengal — Died 28 November 1980

Founded New Theatres Calcutta, producing influential Bengali films and launching famous directors.

Birendranath Sircar was an Indian film producer and the founder of New Theatres Calcutta. He made Bengali-language films that were noted for introducing many film directors who later became famous. He was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1970 and the third highest civilian award in India, the Padma Bhushan, in 1972.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Birendranath Sircar’s cinema 'Chitra' was inaugurated by freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in 1930, intertwining nationalist history with film culture.

The Story

1
🎬 In 1930, Birendranath Sircar opened 'Chitra' cinema in Calcutta with the presence of Subhas Chandra Bose, marking his first concrete step into Bengali cinema exhibition.
2
On 10 February 1931, he founded New Theatres Calcutta, a studio that would become a crucible for Bengali-language films and launch many notable directors' careers.
3🚀 Though trained as an engineer at the University of London, Sircar pivoted to cinema, building multiple theaters including New Cinema for Hindi films, reflecting his vision of multilingual Indian cinema.
4Sircar’s New Theatres introduced actors like Kanan Devi and helped popularize Rabindra Sangeet in films, with K.L. Saigal's famed rendition for the 1939 film 'Jeeban Maran' recorded under his banner.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Despite studying engineering in London, Sircar chose to build cinemas and produce films, a rare career pivot in the 1920s for someone of his background.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Birendranath Sircar portrait photograph taken around 1940 during his filmmaking career
Birendranath Sircar portrait photograph taken around 1940 during his filmmaking career
1940
Indian filmmaker Birendranath Sircar in a portrait photograph from 1941
Birendranath Sircar featured on an Indian postage stamp issued in 2013

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency
Birendranath Sircar was born to Sir Nripendra Nath Sircar, then Advocate-General of Bengal.
1901
⚡
Career
Opening of Chitra Cinema
Sircar opened 'Chitra' cinema in Calcutta, inaugurated by Subhas Chandra Bose.
1930
⚡
Career
Founding of New Theatres Calcutta
Sircar established New Theatres, which became a major Bengali film studio.
1931
⚡
Career
K.L. Saigal sings Rabindra Sangeet
Saigal recorded his first Rabindra Sangeet for the film 'Jeeban Maran' produced by New Theatres.
1939
⚡
Career
President of Bengal Motion Pictures Association
Sircar became president of BMPA, influencing film industry policies in the post-colonial era.
1940
🏅
Award
Recipient of Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Awarded India’s highest cinema honor for lifetime contribution to Indian film.
1970
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award.
1972
🕊️
Death
Death of Birendranath Sircar
Sircar passed away, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.
1980
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The New Theatres studio, founded by Sircar in 1931, introduced Kanan Devi, who became known as the first lady of Bengali cinema.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Sircar’s cinema 'Chitra' was inaugurated on 30 December 1930 by none other than Subhas Chandra Bose, linking cinema with India’s freedom struggle.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The 1939 film 'Jeeban Maran' recorded under New Theatres featured K.L. Saigal’s first Rabindra Sangeet performance, a landmark in Indian film music history.

No quote recorded for Birendranath Sircar yet.

🌱 What changed because of them

Birendranath Sircar transformed the Bengali film landscape by founding New Theatres, which became a launchpad for distinguished directors and singers, setting standards for narrative and musical integration in Indian cinema. His leadership roles and awards helped institutionalize film production and preservation in post-independence India. His efforts created a bridge between artistic cinema and commercial viability in Bengali and Hindi films.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about Birendranath Sircar?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of Birendranath Sircar...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?