Phani Burma was born in 1897 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a Bengali film director born in Calcutta. Started as an actor (e.g. Naresh Mitra’s Devdas, 1928; also, Bangabala, 1929 and Bigraha and Mrinalini, both 1930). Turned director while starring in Shesh Path on location in Burma. Concentrated on direction from 1936 onwards. Co-directed Kamale Kamini with Nirmal Goswami. He died in 1957 at the age of 60.