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1-50 of 526
- Producer
- Additional Crew
A.G. Nadiadwala was born in 1931. He was a producer, known for Hera Pheri (2000), Welcome (2007) and Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1997). He died on 22 August 2022 in Mumbai, India.- His childhood was spent in Peshawar, where he had performed in theater for some major roles. However, his primary occupation for the early part of his life was that of a tailor. He was an active participant in the Indian freedom struggle. Following his father's retirement, the family moved from Peshawar to Karachi. He moved to Bombay after the Partition of India in 1949 after 3 years in prison in Pakistan. He was involved with the theater group IPTA along with Balraj Sahni and Kaifi Azmi, both of whom had Marxist leanings.
He started his Hindi film career at the very late age of 30 with Basu Bhattacharya's Teesri Kasam in 1946, and went on to play the quintessential meek and oppressed old man in innumerable Hindi movies. His own favorites are the roles he played in Sholay and Shaukeen. In movies he has played a very large number of character roles, mostly positive. He has acted in more than 125 films so far. - Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Aadesh Shrivastava was a composer and actor, known for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), Refugee (2000) and Chalte Chalte (2003). He was married to Vijayata Pandit. He died on 5 September 2015 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Indian actor who turned later in life to primarily spiritual roles, in Hindi and Bengali films. He made his debut onscreen in Nauk Dubi in 1947 and worked for many years with top Indian directors. In the 1970s, his life took a spiritual turn and he became a follower of Dadaji, the Indian activist and philosopher. He wrote a 1989 book about his experiences, Destiny with Dadaji. In later years, he played numerous deities in religious and mystical films. He played the god Lord Vishnu in many films. He died in 1993.
- Abhilasha Patil was born in 1974 in India. She was an actress, known for Chhichhore (2019), Malaal (2019) and Good Newwz (2019). She died on 4 May 2021 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Abir Goswami was born on 21 April 1975 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. He was an actor, known for Vroom (2010), Khakee (2004) and Ugly (2013). He died on 31 May 2013 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Writer
- Actor
- Director
Abrar Alvi was born on 1 July 1927 in Ayodhya, India. He was a writer and actor, known for Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) and Professor (1962). He died on 18 November 2009 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Aditya Rajput was born on 19 August 1990 in Delhi, India. He was an actor, known for Krantiveer: The Revolution (2010), C.I.D. (1998) and U Me Aur Hum (2008). He died on 22 May 2023 in Mumbai, India.
- Ajay Wadhavkar was an actor, known for Nukkad (1986), Yes Boss (1997) and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983). He died on 27 February 2015 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Ajit Singh Deol was an actor and producer, known for Pratiggya (1975), Meharbaani (1982) and Putt Jattan De (1983). He died on 23 October 2015 in Mumbai.- Ajit Vachani was born on 10 August 1951 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was an actor, known for Insaniyat Ke Devta (1993), Kayda Kanoon (1993) and Mr. India (1987). He was married to Charushila. He died on 25 August 2003 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Composer
- Music Department
Ajit Verman was born on 26 March 1947 in India. He was a composer, known for Karmyoddha (1992), Aakrosh (1980) and Andhaa Yudh (1988). He was married to Rekha and Vandana. He died on 15 December 2016 in Mumbai, India.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Akhil Mishra was born on 22 July 1965 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was an actor and writer, known for 3 Idiots (2009), Don (2006) and Kram (2012). He was married to Suzanne Bernert and Manju Mishra. He died on 21 September 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Akhtar Hussain was an actor, director and writer who was born on September 30th, 1917 to Jaddanbai in Uttar Pradesh.Akhtar was the eldest of three children to Jaddanbai and Abdul Rashid (born Mohanchand Uttamchand Tyagi alias Mohan Babu). His siblings Nargis and Anwar Hussain were well known actors in their own right, with Nargis considered the first lady of Indian Cinema.Akhtar and his wife Iqbal Hussain had eight children Jaffar (Producer of Raat Aur Din), Rehana, Zaheeda, Shaidha, Ishrat, Arif ,Azhar,Najam aka Taj (Father of actress Nazia Hussain),Zaheeda was also an actress who appeared in various films in the 60's and 70's while Rehana was married to producer Amarjeet .Hussain's nephew is Sanjay Dutt .
- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Alla Rakha was born on 29 April 1919 in Paghwal, Jammu and Kashmir, British India. He was an actor and composer, known for Chappaqua (1966), George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011) and The Psychedelic Experience (1965). He was married to Bavi Begum. He died on 3 February 2000 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Alyque Padamsee was born on 5 March 1928 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was a writer and director, known for Gandhi (1982), Liril (Soap Advertisement) (1985) and A Force More Powerful (1999). He was married to Sharon Prabhakar, Dolly Thakore and Pearl Padamsee. He died on 17 November 2018 in Mumbai, India.- Amarnath Mukherjee was born on 11 September 1933 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was an actor, known for Bidrohi (1987), Janam Janamer Saathi (2002) and Dhuan (1981). He died on 25 May 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Actor
- Producer
Ambar Kothare was born on 14 April 1926. He was an actor and producer, known for Khabardar (2005), De Danadan (1987) and Khatarnak (2000). He died on 21 January 2023 in Mumbai.- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Actor
Ambrish Sangal was a director and assistant director, known for Chupp (1997), Hum Sab Chor Hain (1995) and Phool Bane Patthar (1998). He died in 2005 in Mumbai.- Additional Crew
- Actor
- Writer
Ameen Sayani was born on 21 December 1932 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India [now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India]. He was an actor and writer, known for Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) and Ishq (1997). He was married to Rama Muttu and Rama . He died on 20 February 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Amit Mistry was born in 1974 in India. He was an actor and director, known for What's Your Raashee? (2009), Ssshhhh... Koi Hai (2001) and Two Cubes Pls (2013). He died on 23 April 2021 in Andheri, Mumbai, India.- Editor
- Sound Department
- Editorial Department
Amit Pawar was born on 11 September 1972. Amit was an editor, known for Don (2006), Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008) and Evano Oruvan (2007). Amit died on 20 February 2010 in Mumbai.- Amitabh Dayal was born in 1970 in Chattisgarh, India. He was an actor, known for Kagaar: Life on the Edge (2003), Rangdari (2012) and Dhuaan (2013). He was married to Mrunalini Patil Dayall. He died on 2 February 2022 in Mumbai, India.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
For Amrish Puri, it was virtually the 'Summer of 42'. The actor's long simmering affair with acting found culmination when he reached his early 40s. And while his dream of playing the hero may have been thwarted, he went on to become the most loved villains of all time. He was also an artiste who redefined the dynamics for character actors. If he wowed the critics with his rough-edged portrayals in the art films of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, he won over the masala movie buffs with his louder-than-life histrionics. Puri with his reverberating baritone, piercing glance and dramatized dialogue delivery was a formidable figure against the hero. His costumes were all about prolific imagination and his one-liners ranging from, 'Mogambo khush hua' to 'Dong kabhi wrong nahin hota' are now part of cinema glossary. Puri even went ahead and worked in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, only to return and endorse the diversity that is Bollywood.
But behind the tough facade was a genteel person. "Upright and a true karma-yogi," as son and marine navigator Rajeev Puri describes him. "People from all walks of life loved him - even the police and the politicians." Rajeev adds, "A decade after his demise, some film or the other of his is constantly playing on channels - out of the 350 he did, 200 were hits!" And when people till date come up to him requesting for a photograph because he's the famed Mogambo's (Puri's character in Mr India) son, Rajeev realizes that Mogambo truly is larger than life, in fact beyond it.
Puri graduated from the BM College in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Puri was a leader of the RSS youth wing there and that explains why he remained a stickler for discipline and punctuality. In the '50s, he moved to Mumbai and found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). There he met my mother Urmila, a Konkani, and married her. His elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri were also actors. In fact, we lived with Madanji at Kings Circle for a few years before we shifted to our Santacruz home. Puri passion was acting. He worked during the day and in the evening did amateur theatre with Ebrahim Alkazi, Satyadev Dubey, Vijay Tendulkar and Girish Karnad among others. In fact, Satyadev Dubey and he began Hindi theatre in Mumbai with plays like Hayavadana and Yugati winning him much applause. He became well known as a stage character actor, which led to him doing ads and finally films in the early '70s.
Believe it or not, Amrish Puri wanted to become a Bollywood movie star, but failed a screen test in 1953. And what a failure it was! Mr. Puri, went on to become one of the most renowned and credible villains in the history of Indian cinema. His most memorable and often quoted role is the character of 'Mogambo' (with the catchphrase "Mogambo Khush Hua"). It is still remembered fondly from Mr. India (1987).
On the silver screen, the very first time we felt that times were changing was when dad went to Jaisalmer to shoot Reshma Aur Shera (1971). It was an Ajanta Arts film directed by Sunil Dutt. A lot of new actors were being featured - Raakhee, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranjeet. Puri brought home pictures of the shoot. Puri's son must have been around 12 then and was excited watching them.
Another film, which was to change his life was Girish Karnad's Kannada film Kaadu (1973) where he played the villainous village headman. Girish Karnad handed his Filmfare Best Director trophy to Amrish as a gesture of appreciation. He was then noticed by Shyam Benegal, who featured him in his films Manthan, Nishant and Bhumika through the '70s. He also became part of Govind Nihalani's critically acclaimed films Party, Vijeta, Aakrosh and Ardh Satya. Dad had a flair for roles that betrayed authority and rode the crest of new wave cinema with his earthiness.
In 1980, director Bapu roped in dad to play Duryodhana in Boney Kapoor's Hum Paanch. Soon other filmmakers started offering him villainous roles in commercial films too. After Feroz Khan's Qurbani (1980) there was no looking back.
One film that took him to the acme of his career was Mr India (1987). As the part menacing part comical Mogambo, he won fans across audiences. Mogambo was a favorite with kids because he was a comic-strip like character. At every function he attended, dad was asked to say the Mogambo dialogue. First Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975) and later dad as Mogambo gave villainy a new status. He went on to become the highest paid villain. Earlier character actors were paid paltry sums as compared to the hero.
Puri's career spanned three decades and around 300 films. Among these his favorites remained Koyla, Vidhaata, Pardes, Chachi 420, Ghatak, Ghayal, Damini, Meri Jung and Saza-E-Kala Pani.
Off camera, his children remember their father as someone who was larger than life, someone who was strict but never unreasonable. Someone who urged us to speak the truth. He urged us to follow the three Ps - patience, perseverance and persistence.
Puri was realistic and that's why he insisted that his children seek a secure profession. He once told his son, "See, acting is my first love. I've been polishing my act for years. It took me long to establish myself. There's no need for you to be awed by the profession. You needn't risk your future. You must complete your education." That's why, I joined the Merchant Navy in 1978. I sailed for 11 years. It used to be fun watching his films on the ship.
As an actor he had a great ability to switch on and off. He was not fond of smoking, drinking or parties. His idols were Dilip Kumar, Motilal, Balraj Sahni and Amitabh Bachchan. He worked with Raj Kumar, Dilip saab, Amitji... he was like a student in front of them and had absolutely no ego. Also, a lot of youngsters began their careers with him like Ajay Devgan in Phool Aur Kaante and Shah Rukh Khan in Deewana. He was easy to work with except that he had no patience with people who didn't respect time.
Puri was particular about having nutritious food. He was largely vegetarian but enjoyed fish. He practiced yoga and was an early riser. He was one of the first members of Talwalkars gym in Mumbai. Also, he preserved his vocal chords. He stayed away from fried stuff. He'd just have a piece of sev puri when we insisted. Once he happened to shave off his hair for a Rakesh Kumar film. He was told his personality looked better that way. The bald look appealed to Steven Spielberg, who then offered him Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, where he played Mola Ram. Puri realized that with a shaved head, he could try different get ups. He was well-versed with the art of make-up and wigs. He knew the concentration of hair that a hairpiece for a 50-year-old character or a 60-year-old character would require. He also spent time with the tailors - in fact, directors often asked him to work on his costumes. He'd pick his own ties, bows, shirts for a role. He enjoyed observing people as he drove in his car. He'd keenly watch the hawaldar, the fit of his shirt, how worn out his shoes were which helped him play one in Gardish.
Puri loved watches. He owned all the possible brands. He was intrigued by its technology and the way each piece was assembled. Each time he'd go abroad, he'd visit a showroom and call me up excitedly, "Tikoo (my pet name) I've bought such a handsome looking watch!" Another fascination he had was for Mercedez Benz cars. He'd keep buying the latest editions. His family maintained his 1983 model in showroom condition.
Known for frequently portraying menacing, sadistic villains, Puri received a huge fan mail of around 50 to 60 letters a day. Some fans would constantly sit on the footpath outside our home to catch a glimpse of him. Women also wrote to him. Many were crazy about him. But he was not a young actor. By the time he got recognition he was 45. My mom did feel possessive with all the attention being showered on him. But she understood. He was at an age where he knew what to absorb and what to keep away from. He was cautious. He did have shades of romance in his role opposite Farida Jalal in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. That subtle equation suited his age. His female co-stars liked him because he was protective about them. He'd check with the production guys whether they were comfortable or not. While he was being pampered, he wanted them to enjoy those facilities too. He was like a father figure to junior artistes too. He'd call up the producers who defaulted on their payments.
Once they were shooting at Amritsar railway station for Gadar - Ek Prem Katha. Huge crowds had gathered and there was so much noise that the shooting couldn't proceed. Sunny Deol wanted to leave. Dad took over and in his baritone said, "Allow us to do our work. I want pin drop silence!" There was a hush and the shooting resumed.
Shyam Benegal cast him in movies such as Nishant (1975), Bhumika (1977), and Manthan (1976). Yash Chopra cast him in Mashaal (1984), the same year that Steven Spielberg cast him in his best-known role outside of India, as Mola Ram in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). His elder brother is none other than Bollywood actor Madan Puri.
Guddu Dhanoa's Jaal The Trap for (2003) was shot in Himachal Pradesh. Unfortunately, Puri met with an accident there. He suffered serious injuries on his face and eye. He lost a lot of blood and consequently had to undergo blood transfusion. Something went wrong there because in the coming years, he developed a blood disorder (myelodysplastic syndrome). It began with weakness and reduced appetite. When he came to know about the fatality of his illness he was shaken. But he had an iron will. He wanted to project a strong side to the world. Puri knew that at age 72 there was little that he could repair and that he was ailing. Jo hona hai woh hoga - that was his stance.
Puri was keen to complete the projects on hand, even though he was in pain. His terminal illness was detected in September 2003 and by December 15, 2004, he had finished all his films - Kachchi Sadak, Mujhse Shaadi Kaoroge, Hulchul, Ksna and Aitraaz despite looking emaciated, pale, frail . He was at home for a brief period. But he didn't want to remain bedridden. When asked how he was feeling he'd just say, "Kal se behtar hoon." Then one day he had a fall at home and suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. He passed away in Mumbai on January 12, 2005 due to a brain hemorrhage
Puri had served as the President of Cine and TV Artistes Association for six years before his demise. As a mark of respect the industry remained shut for two days. The whole road from our house in Juhu to the electric crematorium at Shivaji Park was full with people. There were onlookers perched on trees and buildings.
As a tribute to him the Times Of India carried a piece, which was titled, "No guns only roses." People recall his famous dialogue in Pardes, "What's the bottom line?" Well, for me it would be never doing anything that would disappoint him.- Actor
- Director
Amrit Pal was born in 1941. He was an actor and director, known for Border (1997), Woh Kaun Thi (2001) and Yaar Gaddar (1994). He died on 19 June 2017 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Music Department
- Writer
- Actor
Anand Bakshi was one of the greatest and popular lyricists of his time. He was the only lyricist, besides his associate Majrooh Sultanpuri, who enjoyed such a long and illustrious career in Bollywood lyricism and was still going strong after more than 40 years. Like Sultanpuri, Bakshi wrote simple poetry that could be understood by all, and he was in wide demand by all filmmakers.
Born in Rawalpindi, 1930, Bakshi was an avid film buff and always dreamt of coming to Bombay and join Bollywood. As his family was against the idea, being composed of mainly bank/military officials, he ran away from home and joined the Navy with the hope of reaching Bombay. But his naval career was cut short with the naval mutiny that occurred in Karachi, and the subsequent partition of India forced him to rejoin his family in Lucknow and take a job as a telephone operator. But he was still determined to go to Bombay, and soon fulfilled his dream.
Initially, he could make no headway. Disillusioned and dejected, he worked in Delhi as a motor mechanic. But Bakshi was persistent and kept coming back to Bombay, and in 1958 he got a chance meeting with the actor Bhagwan Palav, who offered him a job to write the lyrics for his film Bhala Aadmi (1958). Then followed more long periods of struggle until he got his big break in Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962) and Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), both films by Suraj Prakash. Their success, particularly the latter film with its Kashmiri love story, brought Bakshi to the fore. However it was only with the blockbuster Milan (1967) that he was recognized as a lyricist par excellence, with tunes from the film being hummed all over the country. Anand Bakshi had arrived, and from then there was no looking back for him.
A golden age followed for Bakshi, during which he wrote lyrics for box-office hits like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Sholay (1975) and his favourite film, Amar Prem (1972) - the first two having been composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and the last two by Rahul Dev Burman. He also worked with renowned directors like Raj Kapoor, Subhash Ghai and his close friend Yash Chopra, and composed lyrics for all their successes, notably Bobby (1973) for the socialist Kapoor, Taal (1999) for masala director Ghai and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) for the romantic Chopra. Indeed, it seemed that for a film to be a box-office success all it needed was great music - and lyrics by Anand Bakshi!
Bakshi's career kept at an all-time high until 30 March 2002, when he passed away in Bombay. He had been quite ill for a few months and had been undergoing treatment for cardiac-related problems. His death was a tragic loss to Bollywood Cinema, especially for those connoisseurs of great music and lyricism. However, even after his death, directors continued to use lyrics he compiled before his death. Such dedication and trust in a lyricist already gone proved why Anand Baskhi was truly one of the elite lyricists of all time...- Anand Suryavanshi was born in 1975. He was an actor, known for Virrudh: Har Rishta Ek Kurukshetra (2007), Chakravyuh (2012) and Suryaputra Karn (2015). He was married to Alesia Raut. He died on 11 November 2022 in Andheri, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Anant Balani was born in 1962. He was a director and writer, known for Jazbaat (1994), Mumbai Matinee (2003) and Patthar Ke Phool (1991). He died on 29 August 2003 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Anil Ganguly was born on 26 January 1933 in British India. He was a director and writer, known for Tapasya (1976), Kora Kagaz (1974) and Dil Ki Baazi (1993). He died on 15 January 2016 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Music Department
- Composer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anil Mohile was born in 1940 in India. Anil was a composer and assistant director, known for Don (1978), Dil Tera Diwana (1996) and Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). Anil died on 1 February 2012 in Mumbai, India.- Producer
- Director
Anil Suri was born in 1943 in India. He was a producer and director, known for Begunaah (1991), Raaj Tilak (1984) and Karmayogi (1978). He died on 4 June 2020 in Mumbai, India.- Anita Guha was born on 17 January 1932 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. She was an actress, known for Kan Kan Men Bhagwan (1963), Sampoorna Ramayana (1961) and Tulsi Vivah (1971). She was married to Manik Dutt. She died on 20 June 2007 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Ankush Mohite was an actor, known for Krishna (1996), Deewana (1992) and Prahaar: The Final Attack (1991). He died on 1 June 2016 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Annapurna Devi was born on 23 April 1927 in Maihar, Central India Agency, British India. She was married to Rooshikumar Pandya and Ravi Shankar. She died on 13 October 2018 in Mumbai, India.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Anoop Kumar was born on 24 March 1926 in Khandwa, Central Provinces, British India. He was an actor and producer, known for Victoria No. 203 (1972), Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982) and Fashionable Wife (1959). He died on 20 September 1997 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Antonette Mendes was born on 10 May 1944 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, India. She was an actress, known for Sukhache Sopon (1966), Amchem Noxib (1963) and Nirmonn (1966). She was married to Romeo Mendes. She died on 7 April 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Anupam Shyam was born on 20 September 1957 in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was an actor, known for Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya (2009). He died on 8 August 2021 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Music Department
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Anwar Sagar was a writer, known for Apmaan Ki Aag (1990), Khiladi (1992) and Judge Mujrim (1997). He died on 3 June 2020 in Mumbai, India.- Ardhendu Bose was an actor, known for Kalkut (1981), Cobra (1980) and Mera Yaar Mera Dushman (1987). He died on 7 August 2023 in Mumbai.
- Arjit Lavania was an actor, known for Mahakaali - Anth Hi Aarambh Hai (2017). He died on 20 August 2017 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Arun Bali was born on 23 December 1942 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He was an actor, known for 3 Idiots (2009), PK (2014) and OMG: Oh My God! (2012). He died on 7 October 2022 in Mumbai, India.
- Arun Sadhu was born on 17 June 1941 in Paratwada, Dist-Amarawati, British India. He was a writer, known for Simhasan (1979), Ziprya (2018) and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000). He died on 25 September 2017 in Mumbai, India.
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Arvind Joshi was an actor and assistant director, known for Sholay (1975), Ittefaq (1969) and Apmaan Ki Aag (1990). He died on 29 January 2021 in Mumbai, India.- Actor
- Producer
Arvind Trivedi was born on 8 November 1938 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. He was an actor and producer, known for Shankar Parvati (1979), Ramayan (1987) and Dada Ne Vahali Dikari (1999). He was married to Nalini. He died on 6 October 2021 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Ashiesh Roy was born on 18 May 1965. He was an actor, known for Byomkesh Bakshi (1993), Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi (2016) and Star Bestsellers (1999). He died on 24 November 2020 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Actor
- Producer
- Music Department
The Grandfather & Great Custodian of Indian Motion Pictures!
Ashok Kumar was one of India's most famous actors for over half a century, from before independence to the cusp of the new millennia!
As a young assistant to Bengali film-maker Himanshu Rai, he got his start in acting by accident when he volunteered to substitute for the lead actor, Jeevan Naya (1936), who fell ill before production on the film Achhut Kanya (1936) was to start. Kumar was terrified of acting in the first place, especially opposite lead actress Devika Rani, known as 'the dragon lady' for her smoking, drinking, cursing and legendary hot temper. After finishing shooting, Kumar continued with overseeing the process of the film with editing, mixing and processing. His unexpected acclaim to his role had him in demand for more acting roles, which he pursued in a few more 'Bombay Talkies' with Devika Rani.
His breakthrough performance was in Kismet (1943) which ran for three years in Bombay and Calcutta and was one of the first Hindi language mega-hits of India and gained him national fame through his charismatic performances and his talented singing. From then onwards, Kumar became a sought-after actor who appeared in over 200 Hindi and a few other Indian language films, playing romantic leads or threatening villains and making Rs.300-400 a month during the 1940s and 1950s.
Although his roles gradually decreased to supporting and minor parts as he got older and suffered more ill health, his popularity in India never diminished and he was often in demand for cameos and live convention appearances. From the 1990s to his death, he lived in a comfortable retirement in Bombay with a slew of Indian films to show for his work.- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Actor
Ashok Mehta was born in 1947 in Punjab, India. He was a cinematographer and actor, known for Moksha: Salvation (2001), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Chalte Chalte (2003). He died on 15 August 2012 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Ashraf Ul Haq was born on 3 November 1969 in Assam, India. He was an actor, known for Delhi Belly (2011), Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012). He died on 17 February 2015 in Andheri, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Additional Crew
Astaad Deboo was born on 13 July 1947 in Navsari, Gujarat, India. He is known for Raavanan (2010), Raavan (2010) and Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities (2004). He died on 10 December 2020 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
B.J. Panchal was an assistant director, known for Dil-Ki-Rani (Sweet-Heart) (1947). B.J. died on 24 February 2005 in Mumbai, India.