Mehtab Modi

Old hand painted Bollywood movie poster of India’s first feature film shot entirely in Technicolor, Jhansi Ki Rani (1953) for sale.

This is an actual surviving original vintage Bollywood poster of the 1953 Hindi historical drama which was produced and directed by Sohrab Modi (under the banner of his studio, Minerva Movietone). The film starred Sohrab Modi alongside his wife Mehtab who essayed the title role of the brave queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai.

Printed and circulated a few years after the original first release of the film (1950s), this old hand painted Bollywood poster was originally designed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

Jhansi Ki Rani is widely credited as the first film in India made entirely in Technicolor, making this poster, extremely collectible!

Sohrab Modi spared no expense in the making of Jhansi Ki Rani. The high budget historical drama featured Oscar winner Ernest Haller (of Gone With The Wind 1939 fame), as the lead cinematographer. Russell Lloyd (of Moby Dick fame) was brought in as editor. Further, several Hollywood technicians were called in to contribute to the technical aspects of the film.

The film was praised by critics for its technology, direction and lavish sets. However, it was a box office disaster causing Sohrab Modi great losses.

The film’s storyline was based on actual historical accounts of the Mutiny of 1857, in which the queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai took up arms and led her army against the British. The film was later dubbed in English and released in the USA in 1956 (minus the songs) as “The Tiger And The Flame.”

This beautifully hand painted Bollywood movie poster features the leading lady Mehtab Modi in a brave warrior princess avatar.

This poster has been graded ★ As Is due to a small missing piece on the bottom right hand corner (outside the border) as clearly seen in the picture alongside.