Kanhaiyalal (1910 14 August 1982) was an Indian actor who acted in 105 films in his career, primarily in
Hindi
Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
films produced in
Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...
, the
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
-based film industry.
Early life
Kanhaiyalal was born in 1910 in Varanasi. His father Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, popularly known as Choubeji, was the proprietor of the Sanatan Dharm Natak Samaj in Varanasi. With his father not in agreement with him taking up any form of stage work, he eventually wore out his father's opposition and did odd jobs in the troupe. At 16, he started writing and then moved on to small roles. When his father died, the brothers tried for some time to run the drama company. Proving to be unsuccessful, they downed shutters and Kanhaiyalal decided to seek a film career in Bombay.
His elder brother Sankata Prasad Chaturvedi had already set a precedent and established himself as an actor in silent films, but Kanhaiyalal came to films without the intention of acting, wanting to write and direct instead. Eventually capitulating, he began by working as an extra in Sagar Movietone's ''Sagar Ka Sher''. He would have remained a background extra but for a fated twist.
Career
He was fond of plays and came to Mumbai to find a space on stage. He staged his own written play ''Pandrah August'' in Mumbai, and later he tried his luck in films. He also had written many plays. In the 1939 film ''
Ek Hi Raasta'' as Banke, he got a break in Hindi films and in 1940 he got the role of the moneylender (Sahukar) in
Mehboob Khan
Mehboob Khan (born Mehboob Khan Ramzan Khan; 9 September 1907
at filmreference.com. – 28 ...
's film ''
Aurat'' as Sukkhi Lala. After that, he later acted in many films as a character artiste. When Mehboob Khan directed his film ''Mother India'' which was a remake of his earlier film 'Aurat', he again picked Kanhaiyalal to act as Sukkhi Lala, a character that came alive with his natural acting. Some of the performances of Kanhaiyalal which were appreciated by the audience for his versatility include his characters in the films ''
Bhookh'' (1947), ''
Ganga Jamuna
''Ganga Jamna'' (ISO 15919: ''Gaṅgā Jamunā''), also transliterated as ''Ganga Jamuna'' or ''Gunga Jumna'', is a 1961 Indian crime drama film, written and produced by Dilip Kumar, and directed by Nitin Bose, with dialogues written by Wajahat ...
'', ''
Gopi
Gopi ( sa, गोपी, ) or Gopika in Hinduism are worshipped as the consorts and devotees of Krishna within the Vaishnavism and Krishnaism traditions for their unconditional love and devotion ('' Bhakti'') to god Krishna as described in the ...
'', ''
Upkar
''Upkar'' () is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. The film held the top spot at the box office in 1967. It was Manoj Kumar's directorial debut film. Then India's prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri suggested Kumar to make a film b ...
'', ''
Apna Desh
''Apna Desh'' () is a 1972 Indian Hindi-language action drama film, produced by A.V. Subramaniam and T.M.Kittu and directed by Jambu. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Om Prakash, Jagdeep, Mukkamala, Madan Puri and the credited Roja Ramani, ...
'', ''
Janta Hawaldar
''Janta Havaldar'' () is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Mehmood, with Rajesh Khanna playing the title role, paired opposite Yogita Bali. The film has Ashok Kumar and Hema Malini making extended guest appearances. This film was no ...
'', ''
Dushman'', ''
Bandhan'', ''
Bharosa
''Bharosa'' () is a Hindi film released in 1963. The film is remembered for the music and songs. The music for the film was composed by Ravi. Rajendra Krishan penned the lyrics of the songs. ''Woh Dil Kahan Se Laun'' rendered by Lata Mangeshk ...
'', ''
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke'', ''
Hum Paanch'', ''
Upkar
''Upkar'' () is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. The film held the top spot at the box office in 1967. It was Manoj Kumar's directorial debut film. Then India's prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri suggested Kumar to make a film b ...
'', ''Gaon Hamara Desh Tumhara'', ''Dadi Maa'', ''Gruhasti'', ''Hatyara'', ''
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
''Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein'' () is a 1977 Indian Hindi-language drama film, produced by Nariman Baria and A. Khalia under the Nav Sampathi Productions banner and directed by Meraj. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini while Jeetendra has give ...
'',
''Heera'', ''Teen Bahuraniyan'', ''Dost'' etc. His memorable roles include those as villainous
scheming moneylenders in the films ''Mother India'' , ''Ganga Jamuna'', ''Gopi'' and ''Upkaar''.
As he recalled in an interview, "An actor playing Motilal's father had not reported on the sets, so there was an opportunity to step into the breach. The dialogue I had to speak ran to a full sheet of foolscap paper. Almost everyone on the sets was ready to laugh at me trying to be an actor, but God helped me and I did my job." The film was ''Jhul Badn'', written by K. M. Munshi (the founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan), directed by Sarvottam Badami and starring Motilal and Sabita Devi. To his delight, his talkie debut fetched him a ten rupee increment as his salary rose to Rs 45 a month. "Another promotion I earned was to play grandfather instead of father. This was in ''Sadhana'' (Old), also by Sagar Movietone. My grandson Prem Adib was the hero of the film. That was my first big role after which I became 'acceptable'. I was quite young but I thus started playing old roles. And, down the years, I got older and older but my roles didn't grow younger and younger!"
For ''Sadhana'', he also wrote the dialogues and lyrics. In fact, it was while he was reading out the dialogues he had written that Chimanlal Desai, proprietor of Sagar, made him an offer to enact the role. "I must also put it on record that when the film was being made, quite a number of people thought I was bogus and withheld cooperation. However, the film was a big hit and achieved silver jubilee at Imperial Cinema."
Getting frustrated at not getting the chance to direct a film, however, after Sadhana, Kanhaiyalal went home to Varanasi. When he returned to Bombay, it was with the understanding that he would help Virendra Desai (son of Sagar Movietone boss, Chimanlal Desai). He rewrote the dialogue of ''Sanskar'' and also its lyrics, but it came to naught.
However, the rise of his career graph was launched by Mehboob Khan with writer
Wajahat Mirza
Wajahat Hussain Mirza Changezi ( hi, वजाहत मिर्ज़ा; 20 April 1908 – 4 August 1990) was an Indian screenwriter and film director who penned the dialogues of some of the most successful films in India during the 1950s ...
playing catalyst. At his instance Kanhaiyalal was selected for the role of Sukkhi Lala in ''Aurat'' (1940). He played the wicked moneylender who has evil designs on the young widow. As he reminisced in an interview, "On this production, too, I had the feeling that the ice had yet to be broken. There was no make-up man free or willing to attend to me. When I explained this difficulty to Faredoon Irani, the cinematographer, he calmly said, 'Don't worry. Just appear as you are and I will photograph you without makeup.' He did just that. My make-up consisted only of a moustache. There are not very many cinematographers who will stake their reputation by agreeing to photograph artistes without make-up. I admired Mr. Irani's courage and self-confidence. I regard my ''Aurat'' role as a really good one. I was helped tremendously by the lines
Wajahat Mirza
Wajahat Hussain Mirza Changezi ( hi, वजाहत मिर्ज़ा; 20 April 1908 – 4 August 1990) was an Indian screenwriter and film director who penned the dialogues of some of the most successful films in India during the 1950s ...
wrote for me. In fact, I firmly believe that what an actor needs most of all are good dialogue to enable him to do well."
During the shooting of the scene in which the house collapses on the salacious Sukhilala, Kanhaiyalal got hurt. In honour of the dictum, the show must go on, he right away told Mehboob Khan not to call a doctor immediately, but to finish the remaining shots. When he came out of the set eventually, the doctor was waiting for him. ''Aurat'' had a golden jubilee run with Sardar Akhtar (Mrs. Mehboob Khan) playing the lead. When Mehboob remade ''Aurat'' as ''Mother India'' (1957), only Kanhaiyalal reprised his role, a first in Hindi cinema with the same actor replaying the same character 17 years later.
Telescoped into the stereotype that bears his signature, early in his career he experimented much more than in his later years. "In Mehboob's film ''Bahen'' (1941), I had the role of a good-natured pickpocket. Here, four scenes originally conceived for me were spun out into about fourteen by Wajahat Mirza. In National Studios' ''Radhika'' (1941), directed by K. B. Lall, I played a temple priest and in ''Lal Haveli'' (1944, again by Lall), I played the comic role of a Pandit. Yakub starred in the film and his frequent punch line telling me ''Chacha, pasina aa raha hai'' became quite famous."
In ''Gunga Jumna'' (1961), he again excelled as a ''munim''. He also shone in Mahesh Kaul's ''Sautela Bhai'' (1962), but the film tanked. Gemini's ''Grahasti'' (1962), in which he played a station master gave him immense satisfaction and he said: "In my opinion, it's the first picture from the South starring me to achieve that much versatility."
The trouble monger continued his winning streak with ''Upkar'', ''Ram aur Shyam'' (both 1967), ''Teen Bahuraniyan'', ''Dharti Kahe Pukare'' (1969), ''Gopi'', ''Jeevan Mrityu'' (1970), ''Dushman'' (1972) ''Apna Desh'' (1972), ''Heera'', ''Dost'', ''Palkon Ki Chaon Mein'', ''Karmayogi'' (1978), ''Janata Hawaldar'' (1979) and ''Hum Paanch'' (1980).
After completing a century of roles in Bollywood, ''Hathkadi'' (1982) became his swan song as his histrionics breathed their last on 14 Aug 1982 while he was 72.
Death
He died on 14 August 1982 at the age of 72.
Filmography
* Gramophone Singer ...1938
*
Ek Hi Raasta as Banke ...1938
*
Aurat as Sukhilala ...1939
* Radhika as Mohan ...1940
* Bahen as Moti ...1941
* Aasra ...1941
*
Khilona as Kishore ...1942
*
Dulhan ...1942
* Pagli Duniya ...1943
* Lal Haveli as Chacha ...1944
* Kiran ...1944
* Gaali ...1944
*
''Dost'' (1944 film) ...1944
* Shri Krishn Arjun Yuddha ...1944
* Ramayani ...1945
* Aarti ...1945
* Rasili ...1945
* Panihari ...1946
*
Bhookh ...1946
* Toote Tare as Diwan Madanlal ...1946
* Jeet as Thakur Kalyan Singh ...1948
* Sipahiya ...1949
* Nishana ...1949
* Afsar as Village Tehsildar ...1950
* Malhar ...1950
* Hum Log as Lalaji / Haricharandas ...1951
* Buzdil ...1951
*
Mr. Sampat
''Mr. Sampat'' is a 1952 Indian Hindi-language satirical film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios. It is based on R. K. Narayan's 1949 novel '' Mr. Sampath – The Printer of Malgudi'', and the Tamil film ''Miss Malini ...
as Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala ...1951
* ''
Insaan'' ...1952
*
''Daag'' (1952 film) as Lala Jagat Narayan ...1952
* Annadata ...1952
* Naukari ...1952
* Bahut Din Huwe as Pujari ...1954
*
Naata'' (1955) as Lakhibaba
* ''
Devdas
''Devdas'' ( bn, দেবদাস, transliterated as ''Debdās'') is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. The story pivots a tragic triangle linking Devdas, an archetypal lover in viraha (separation); Paro, his forbidden ...
'' as Teacher ...1955
*
Amaanat
''Amaanat'' is a 1977 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Shatrujiit Paul. It stars Manoj Kumar, Sadhana, Balraj Sahni, Mehmood, Rehman, Shashikala, Aruna Irani in pivotal roles. The film took 8 years in making.
Story
Suresh is a painte ...
as Laxmidas ...1955
* Lalten ...1955
*
Mother India
''Mother India'' is a 1957 Indian epic drama film, directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. A remake of Khan's earlier film '' Aurat'' (1940), it is the story of a poverty-stricken village woma ...
as Sukhilala ...1957
*
Do Roti as Lakshmidas ...1957
* Chhote Babu ...1957
* Bandi ...1957
* Sahara as Chaudhary Gaman Singh ...1957
* Panchayat as Charandas ...1958
* Swarg Se Sundar Desh Hamara ...1958
* C.I.D. ...1959
* ''
Gharana
In Hindustani music (North Indian classical music), a ''gharānā'' is a system of social organisation in the Indian subcontinent, linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and more importantly by adherence to a particular mus ...
'' as Advocate Shyam Lal Gupta ...1960
* Suhag Sindoor as Dayashankar ...1961
*''
Gunga Jumna
''Ganga Jamna'' (ISO 15919: ''Gaṅgā Jamunā''), also transliterated as ''Ganga Jamuna'' or ''Gunga Jumna'', is a 1961 Indian crime drama film, written and produced by Dilip Kumar, and directed by Nitin Bose, with dialogues written by Wajahat ...
'' as Kallu ...1961
* Son of India as Paro's dad ...1961
*
Sautela Bhai
''Sautela Bhai'' () is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language film directed by B. R. Ishara, starring Rajesh Khanna, Raj Babbar, Kumar Gaurav in lead roles. The film was a delayed release in 1996 and a big flop. It is a remake of an old popular movie ...
as Gokul's father-in-law ...1962
*
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen as Rahmat ...1962
* ''
Grahasti
''Grihasti'' is a family drama produced by Sphere Origins, that aired on Star Plus during weekday afternoons. The show premiered on 25 February 2008 and aired until 27 March 2009.
Synopsis
''Grihasti'' is based upon the Khurana family. After t ...
'' as Station Master Ram Swarup ...1963
* Bharosa as Raunak Lal ...1963
* Zindagi as Pandit ...1963
* Phoolon Ki Sej as Banwari ...1964
* Oonche Log as Gunichand ...1964
* Rishte Naahte as Roopa's Father ...1965
*
Himalay Ki Godmein
''Himalay Ki God Mein'' () is a 1965 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Vijay Bhatt starring Manoj Kumar and Mala Sinha, with Shashikala in a supporting role. The film won the Filmfare Best Movie Award and was a "Superhit" at the box offic ...
as Ghoghar Baba ...1965
* Saaz Aur Awaaz ...1965
* Gaban as Devideen Khati ...1966
* Daadi Maa as Totaram ...1966
* Biradari as Rammurthy 'Dudhwala' ...1966
* Diwana ...1966
*
Upkar
''Upkar'' () is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. The film held the top spot at the box office in 1967. It was Manoj Kumar's directorial debut film. Then India's prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri suggested Kumar to make a film b ...
as Lala Dhaniram ...1967
* Ram Rajya ...1967
*
Ram Aur Shyam
''Ram Aur Shyam'' (English: ''Ram And Shyam'') is a 1967 Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama film directed by Tapi Chanakya. The film is a remake of Chanakya's 1964 Telugu film ''Ramudu Bheemudu''. It stars Dilip Kumar in a double role as twin b ...
as Munimji ...1967
* Dulhan Ek Raat Ki ...1967
*
''Aurat'' (1967 film), as Pandit as (1967)
*
Teen Bahuraniyan
''Teen Bahuraniyan'' () is a 1968 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by S. S. Vasan and S. S. Balan. It is a remake of 1967 Tamil film '' Bama Vijayam''. Sowcar Janaki, Kanchana and Jayanthi star as the female leads, reprising their r ...
as Sita's and Mala's Father as (1967)
* Rahgir as 1968
* Meri Bhabhi as 1969
*
Doli as (1969)
* ''
Dharti Kahe Pukarke''...1969
*
Chirag
''Chirag'' (Hindi: चिराग; English: Light) is a 1969 Indian Bollywood film directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh in lead roles. Apart from other plus points, it has the famous song "Teri Aankhon Ke Siwa" sun ...
as Singh's employee as 1969
*
Bandhan as Malikram ...1969
*
Sharafat
''Sharafat'' is a 1970 Hindi romantic drama film, directed by Asit Sen, starring Ashok Kumar, Dharmendra, Hema Malini in lead roles. Hema Malini plays the role of a feisty courtesan Chanda in search of her father, in this satire about society' ...
as Pratapchand as 1969
* Samaj Ko Badal Dalo as 1970
*
Jeevan Mrityu
''Jeevan Mrityu'' () is a 1970 Hindi-language crime thriller film produced by Tarachand Barjatya for Rajshri Productions. The film starred Dharmendra, Raakhee, Ajit, Rajindernath and Leela Chitnis. The film was a remake of a 1967 Bengali fil ...
as Jagat Narayan ...1970
* Holi Ayee Re ...1970
* Lakhon Me Ek as Manoharlal- Gauri's dad ...1970
*
Dushman as Durga Prasad ...1971
*
Banphool
'' Banphool '' is a 1971 Indian Hindi-language romance film, produced by Harish Upadyaya and C.D. Shah under the Filmlands banner and directed by Vijay Bhatt. Starring Jeetendra, Babita, Shatrughan Sinha and music composed by Laxmikant Pyarela ...
as Muninji ...1971
*
Tangewala as Munimji / Panditji ...1971
*
Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara as Advocate Chandershekhar Pandey ...1972
*
Apna Desh
''Apna Desh'' () is a 1972 Indian Hindi-language action drama film, produced by A.V. Subramaniam and T.M.Kittu and directed by Jambu. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Om Prakash, Jagdeep, Mukkamala, Madan Puri and the credited Roja Ramani, ...
as Sevaram (1972)
* Annadata as Landlord (1972)
* Aan Baan as Dhaniram (1972)
*
Anokhi Ada as Ram Prasad (1972)
*
Heera as Lala Dhaniram (1973)
*
''Dost'' (1974 film) as Gadibabu (1974)
*
Anokha as Lala Kanhaiyalal (1974)
*
Mazaaq
''Mazaaq'' is a 1975 Bollywood comedy film directed by Haidar Ali. It stars Vinod Mehra, Moushumi Chatterjee, Aruna Irani, Mehmood in lead roles and music by R. D. Burman.
Cast
*Vinod Mehra as Vinod
*Moushumi Chatterjee as Moushumi
*Aruna Ira ...
as Murali's Father (1975)
* Bhoola Bhatka as Ghanshamdas (1975)
* Raakhi Aur Rifle as (1976)
* Jadu Tona (1976)
*
Hatyara as Pyarelal 'Pyare' (1977)
*
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
''Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein'' () is a 1977 Indian Hindi-language drama film, produced by Nariman Baria and A. Khalia under the Nav Sampathi Productions banner and directed by Meraj. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini while Jeetendra has give ...
(1977)
*
Dil Aur Patthar (1977)
*
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
''Satyam Shivam Sundaram'' () is a 1978 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film produced and directed by Raj Kapoor and written by Jainendra Jain, starring Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman. The film's original soundtrack was composed by Laxmik ...
as Pandit Shyam Sunder (1977)
* Rahu Ketu as Ramprasad (1978)
*
Karmayogi as Landlord (1978)
*
Janta Hawaldar
''Janta Havaldar'' () is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Mehmood, with Rajesh Khanna playing the title role, paired opposite Yogita Bali. The film has Ashok Kumar and Hema Malini making extended guest appearances. This film was no ...
(1978)
*
Jaan-e-Bahaar
''Jaan-E-Bahaar'' is a 1979 Bollywood film directed by Prakash Kapoor.
Cast
* G. Asrani
*Manju Asrani as Mona
*Bhagwan
*Jagdeep as Mithailal (Rai's Manager)
* Kanhaiyalal
*Pinchoo Kapoor as Mr. Rai
*Padma Khanna as Dancer / Singer
...
(1979)
* ''
Sitara'' as Girdhari (1979)
*
Hum Paanch as Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav (1980)
*
Teen Ekkey
Adolescence () is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with the t ...
(1980)
* Kanhaiyaa as Makhanlal (1980)
*
Haathkadi as Raghuvir (1981)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanhaiyalal
Indian male film actors
Male actors in Hindi cinema
Date of birth missing
Male actors from Varanasi
20th-century Indian male actors
1910 births
1982 deaths