An American in Madras (2013)

Name: An American in Madras
Genre: Documentary, History
Released: 2013-12-01

1h 24m

Running Time

Plot.

Director Karan Bali's insight into a largely unknown slice of Tamil film history. American citizen Ellis R Dungan travelled to India in the 1930s. He intended to stay for six months, but he ended up living in Madras for 15 years, where he directed many key films of the era. This documentary explores Dungan's life and the profound impact he had upon the fledgling Tamil film industry.

Where to Watch.

Rent

Currently An American in Madras is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: BFI Player

Streaming in:
🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Cast & Crew.

M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Himself (Archive footage)

Ellis R. Dungan

Himself (Archive footage)

P. K. Nair

Himself

Radha Viswanathan

Herself

M. S. Subbulakshmi

Herself (Archive footage)

Radha Burnier

Self

Karan Bali

Director

Teesha Elizabeth Cherian

Writer

Irene Dhar Malik

Editor

Mohandas V.P.

Sound Mixer

Details.

Release Date
December 1, 2013

Status
Released

Running Time
1h 24m

Genres
Documentary History

Last updated: 2025-02-13

Wiki.

An American in Madras is a feature-length documentary film directed by Karan Bali. The film highlights American-born Ellis R Dungan's pioneering contribution to the then-developing Tamil film industry in South India between 1935 and 1950.