[1][2] Kanjibhai Rathod from Maroli village in Navsari district of south Gujarat, was considered the first successful director in Indian cinema.
Film historian Virchand Dharamsey writes, "Kanjibhai was coming from a Dalit family and he can be considered the first successful professional director of India.
[citation needed] Rathod's Bhakta Vidur, released in 1921, was perhaps the first criticism of the British colonialism in a popular feature film.
The film raised a storm - while a big hit in Bombay, it was banned by the British in Karachi and Madras, write historians.
[citation needed] Dharamsey writes in his 'Light of Asia: Indian Silent Cinema 1912–1934' that Rathod directed five talkies out of 17 made in 1931.