R Madhavan is set to portray one of India’s most remarkable inventors and entrepreneurs in the upcoming film ‘GDN: Edison of India’, which tells the extraordinary story of Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, popularly known as the ‘Edison of India’. The film, which explores Naidu’s journey during the British Raj, will release worldwide on August 7.
Gold 101.3FM, UAE’s No.1 radio station, brings you this special story of a forgotten Indian innovator whose inventions shaped the country’s industrial growth.
Born in 1893 into a Telugu farming family in Coimbatore, GD Naidu created several inventions that had a lasting impact on everyday life and helped lay the foundation for indigenous innovation decades before initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. His contributions also played a major role in transforming Coimbatore into a prominent industrial centre.
Naidu began his entrepreneurial journey in 1920 after purchasing a bus, which later grew into a successful transport empire. Within 13 years, his United Motor Service (UMS) expanded into one of India’s largest private bus companies, operating a fleet of more than 280 buses. He later established New Electric Works in 1930, manufacturing electric motors, and also launched the Gopal Clock Industry, further strengthening his reputation as an innovator and businessman.
His inventions ranged from juice mixers, vote recording machines and kerosene-powered fans to portable radios, showcasing his ability to develop practical solutions for common people. In 1945, Naidu also played a key role in establishing Arthur Hope Polytechnic College in Coimbatore, now known as Government Polytechnic, India’s first polytechnic institution. A philanthropist as well, he used his wealth and scientific knowledge for social development. GD Naidu passed away in 1974 after leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Indian science and industry.
‘GDN: Edison of India’ marks the directorial debut of advertising professional Krishnakumar Ramakumar, who has also written the screenplay. The film features R Madhavan in the lead along with an ensemble cast including Jayaram, Priyamani, Sathyaraj, Vinay Rai, Dushara Vijayan, Kaniha, Sheela, Karunakaran, Thambi Ramaiah, Vijay Yesudas, Naren and others.
The film is produced by Varghese Moolan Pictures and Madhavan’s Tricolour Films, following their National Award-winning collaboration ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’. Produced by Varghese Moolan, Vijay Moolan, R Madhavan and Saritha Madhavan, with Sonal Pande and Sanjay Bector as co-producers, the film features music by Govind Vasantha and will release in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu.
