Kanjibhai Rathod

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Not much is known about Rathod's personal life. Film historian Virchand Dharamsey writes in his book , "Kanjibhai was coming from a Dalit family and he can be considered the first successful professional director of India."

Kanjibhai Rathod from Maroli village in south Gujarat, was considered the first successful director in Indian cinema.His rose to fame in an era when most people stayed away from films due to a peculiar stigma attached to the filmdom  Rathod began his career as a still photographer with the Oriental Film Company. His experience earned him a job in Kohinoor Film Company and its owner Dwarkadas Sampat made him a director.
Rathod's 'Bhakta Vidur' released in 1921, was perhaps the first criticism of the British colonialism in a popular feature film.
This mythological allegory directly alluded to political issues, particularly the controversy over the Rowlatt Act Rathod was the first film-maker to direct a crime thriller in 1920s on contemporary events. His Kala Naag (1924) was based on famous double murder case in Bombay. Rathod introduced Zubaida to film industry with his Gulbakavali.
By the time he left for Saurashtra Film Company in Rajkot in 1924, Rathod had enough work on his name. At the launch of Krishna Film Company, he returned to Mumbai in 1931, the year of first talkies.
Rathod directed five talkies out of 17 made in 1931. He remained active in the industry even in 1940s, but he was not as successful directing talkies. .