· “The Maker of Flim Makers”- A gripping story of how Jagat Murari ‘made’ pathbreaking filmmakers at FTII, who, against all odds, went on to transform Indian cinema
· Featuring over 100 exclusive interviews, rare archival materials, and insights from Bollywood legends
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
‘FTII, under Jagat Murari’s leadership, was a haven for those of us who lived and breathed the art of cinema. This book is a portrait of that pivotal time, when India’s cinematic legacy was transformed.’
—SHABANA AZMI , acclaimed actress and winner of five national awards
‘Mr Murari at FTII fostered purpose, discipline and artistic growth and we were fortunate to study under his tutelage and guidance. His recommendation to Mr Hrishikesh Mukherjee launched my film career, for which I am eternally grateful.’
—JAYA BACHCHAN, renowned actress and member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
‘Jagat Murari was the “discipline stone” in the foundation of FTII. He was the pioneer of the new wave cinema in India, which turned regional cinema into national cinema, to represent India all over the world in film festivals’
—GULZAR, legendary lyricist, poet and award-winning filmmaker
‘Radha Chadha, worthy daughter of Jagat Murari, deserves immense praise for bringing out this remarkable biography of a visionary and outstanding personality.’
—SHATRUGHAN SINHA, illustrious actor, member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and former Union Minister
A most humble person, with full dedication to connecting students to every aspect of cinema aesthetically. Be it direction, cinematography, sound, editing. He introduced world cinema. We all remember him with great gratitude’
—SUBHASH GHAI , celebrated filmmaker and founder of Whistling Woods
‘This book offers fascinating insights into the profound link between film education and film industries the world over, and shows USC cinema school’s close ties to India’s cinematic journey’
—ELIZABETH DALEY, Dean, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles
In less than a decade, the presence of trained personnel quietly permeated the system—in terms of technique as well as artistry. And it was no surprise that year after year all the major national awards were won by Film Institute graduates.
Behind this unique achievement, Prof. Jagat Murari’s single-minded endeavour and devotion to the cause needs to be acknowledged with gratitude’
—ADOOR GOPALAKRISHNAN, iconic filmmaker and winner of seventeen national awards
When Jagat Murari, a young film student in post-war America, finds himself at the feet of one of cinema’s true giants – Orson Welles – during the making of Macbeth in 1947, the lessons he absorbs on that set will shape not only his future, but also the future of Indian cinema. Returning to a newly independent India, Jagat goes on to build the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) from the ground up.
In The Maker of Filmmakers, Radha Chadha offers an intimate and meticulously researched portrait of her father – a celebrated documentary filmmaker – and the iconic film school he built. With uncanny consistency, FTII turned out top talent – the likes of Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Subhash Ghai, and other cinema legends. His alumni became the leading actors, directors, cinematographers, sound designers and editors of Bollywood and beyond. They spearheaded the Indian New Wave, kickstarted regional language cinema, and helped usher television into the country.
How did Jagat go about ‘making’ such extraordinary filmmakers? What was his secret formula? With unprecedented access to Jagat’s diaries, letters, personal papers and over 100 interviews with alumni and colleagues, Radha Chadha leads us behind the scenes, and into the mind of a visionary who reshaped Indian cinema, even as he grappled with its many challenges.
A gripping tale of ambition, adversity, and artistic brilliance – richly illustrated with rare photographs – The Maker of Filmmakers paints a vivid picture of one man’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of cinema, and how his determination helped turn Indian cinema into the global powerhouse it is today.
Radha Chadha’s The Maker of Filmmakers offers an intimate and unprecedented portrait of Jagat Murari and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)—and the iconic film school that reshaped Indian cinema. With exclusive access to her father’s personal diaries, letters, papers, and rare photographs, Chadha’s work stands apart for its depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance.
Set against the backdrop of some of the landmark events and characters of the last century, this is biography and cinematic history at its best.
It is going to hit the stands by towards the end of September.
About the author:
Radha Chadha
Radha Chadha is an author, columnist, speaker and one of Asia’s foremost experts on marketing and consumer insights. Her book The Cult of the Luxury Brand: Inside Asia’s Love Affair with Luxury became a bestseller and the go-to book for understanding luxury in Asia. With two decades of experience at top advertising agencies, including JWT, Ogilvy, Grey and Bates Asia, she has helped shape the strategies of major global brands. In 2000, she founded her own brand consultancy based in Hong Kong, focusing on Asia’s evolving consumer landscape. For over a decade, Radha also wrote a widely-read column for Mint, one of India’s leading business newspapers. She holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a BA from St Stephen’s College, Delhi.
Radha grew up on the campus of the Film and Television Institute of India, where her father, Jagat Murari, guided a generation of film-makers. She now lives in Dubai with her husband.
About Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India publishes over 250 new titles every year and has an active backlist of over 3000 titles. With a strong fiction and non-fiction list, it publishes across every segment including biography, travel, business, politics, history, religion and philosophy, lifestyle, cookery, health and fitness, sports and leisure, visual books, and children’s books. The children’s titles are published under the Puffin imprint.
Penguin Random House India’s illustrious list includes Booker Prize-winning novels and winners of virtually every major literary prize, including the Nobel Prize, the Magsaysay Award, the Jnanpith Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Several of PRHI’s authors are also recipients of the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian honours.
