Upendra Jethalal Trivedi (14 July 1936 4 January 2015) was an Indian film and stage actor, director and producer who was one of the most prolific actors of
Gujarati cinema. As an actor films like ''
Mehndi Rang Lagyo'' (1960), ''Jogidas Khuman'' (1962) were few of his earliest appearances in Gujarati films. He was also politically active. He was also known as ''Abhinay Samrat''.
Early life
Upendra Trivedi was born on 14 July 1936 in
Indore
Indore () is the largest and most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as the headquarters of both Indore District and Indore Division. It is also considered as an education hub of the state and is t ...
, Madhya Pradesh, India. His family hailed from Kukadia village near
Idar
Idar may refer to:
People
* Idar Andersen (born 1999), Norwegian road racing cyclist
* Idar Kreutzer (born 1962), Norwegian businessperson
* Idar Kristiansen (1932–1985), Norwegian poet, novelist, short story writer and non-fiction writer
* ...
,
Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
. His parents moved to
Ujjain
Ujjain (, Hindustani pronunciation: d͡ːʒɛːn is a city in Ujjain district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the fifth-largest city in Madhya Pradesh by population and is the administrative centre of Ujjain district and Ujjain ...
where he completed his education. He lived with his elder brother in
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- ...
in early life. He worked as a coolie and a labourer in umbrella manufacturing factory when his father who was a mill worker suffered paralysis.
Trivedi was one of the four siblings – three brothers and a sister. He did his graduation from the
Bombay University
The University of Mumbai is a collegiate, state-owned, public research university in Mumbai.
The University of Mumbai is one of the largest universities in the world. , the university had 711 affiliated colleges. Ratan Tata is the appointed ...
in Arts faculty. His younger brother,
Arvind Trivedi
Arvind Trivedi (8 November 1938 – 6 October 2021) was an Indian actor and politician from Gujarat. He, alongside his brother Upendra Trivedi, was prolific in Gujarati cinema for over 40 years. He became a household name for playing the role ...
, is also well-known actor who played
Ravana
Ravana (; , , ) is a rakshasa king of the island of Lanka, and the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'' and its adaptations.
In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana is described to be the eldest son of sage Vishrava and rakshasi Kaikesi. He a ...
in the Hindi epic TV serial, ''
Ramayana
The ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th ...
''. Trivedi's elder brother, Bhalchandra, was an educationist.
Career
Considered one of the most well-known actors of the
Gujarati film industry, Trivedi had acted in both Gujarati theatre and films.
Acting career
Upendra Trivedi acted in several drama during his college life in Mumbai. He started his career in industry in the 1970s and had career spanning more than 40 years. He initially played supporting roles in several Gujarati films to earn money and pay college fees. He acted in films like ''Vanraj Chavdo'' and ''
Mehndi Rang Lagyo''.
His first major break in Gujarati films was ''
Jesal Toral
''Jesal Toral'' is a 1971 Indian Gujarati devotional film written and directed by Ravindra Dave. It proved to be one of the biggest hits of Gujarati cinema and ran for 25 weeks in theatres.
Cast
* Anupama as Toral
* Upendra Trivedi as Jesal
* A ...
'' (1971) directed by
Ravindra Dave
Ravindra Dave (16 April 1919 – 21 July 1992) was an Indian film director, producer, editor and screenwriter. He directed more than 30 Hindi films in the 1950s and 1960s including several hits like ''Nagina'' (1951), '' Agra Road'' (1957), ''Po ...
. Ravindra Dave chose him to play lead role following his performance in Gujarati film ''Abhinay Samrat''. ''Jesal Toral'' was commercially successful film in which he played role of Jadeja.
He also directed several Gujarati films. His ''
Manvini Bhavai'' (1993), based on the novel of the same name by Gujarati author,
Pannalal Patel
Pannalal Nanalal Patel (7 May 1912 – 6 April 1989) was an Indian author known for his contributions in Gujarati literature. He wrote more than 20 short story collections, such as ''Sukhdukhna Sathi'' (1940) and ''Vatrakne Kanthe'' (1952), and ...
. The movie earned the national award. The story of movie was based on the famine of
Vikram Samvat
Vikram Samvat (IAST: ''Vikrama Samvat''; abbreviated VS) or Bikram Sambat B.S. and also known as the Vikrami calendar, is a Hindu calendar historically used in the Indian subcontinent. Vikram Samvat is generally 57 years ahead of Gregorian Calend ...
1956 (1900 AD) where the condition of people was dire and many died due to starvation.
He also directed and produced ''Jher To Peedhan Jani Jani'' based on the novel of same name by
Manubhai Pancholi
Manubhai Pancholi also known by his pen name Darshak, was a Gujarati language novelist, author, educationist and politician from Gujarat, India. He participated in the Indian independence movement and held several offices after independence.
B ...
.
He paired with
Naresh Kanodia for the first time in film ''
Maa Baap ne Bhulsho Nahi'' in 1999. He paired with
Snehlata in several Gujarati films.
He played seven different roles in Gujarati play, ''Abhinay Samrat''.
His brother
Arvind Trivedi
Arvind Trivedi (8 November 1938 – 6 October 2021) was an Indian actor and politician from Gujarat. He, alongside his brother Upendra Trivedi, was prolific in Gujarati cinema for over 40 years. He became a household name for playing the role ...
is also an actor who acted in Gujarati and Hindi films as well as television shows. He also acted in Hindi film ''
Jungle Main Mangal'', Pavitra Papi, Parde ke Pichhe, Nagina along with his brother Arvind Trivedi in a negative role.
Political career
Upendra Trivedi joined politics in 1980s and contested and won the election in 1985 and 1990 with INC ticket and 1998 as an independent candidate to
Gujarat Legislative Assembly
Gujarat Legislative Assembly or Gujarat Vidhan Sabha is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Gujarat, in the state capital Gandhinagar. Presently, 182 members of the Legislative Assembly are directly elected from single-member c ...
from
Bhiloda
Bhiloda is a taluka headquarters situated in Aravalli District in the state of Gujarat in India. It is situated on the banks of the Hathmati River among the Aravalli Hills.
History
Bhiloda was a part of Idar State during British rule. After inde ...
. He served as the deputy speaker of the assembly from 31 March 2000 to 19 July 2002.
He wrote an autobiography, ''Upendra Trivedi : Atmakathan ane Anya Aalekh.''
Death
Trivedi died on 4 January 2015 at
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- ...
following respiratory arrest. He was married and had two sons.
Awards
He received the
Padma Shri
Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...
in 1989 and Pandit Omkarnath Thakur award also.
Filmography
As actor
Film he acted include:
* ''Kadu Makrani'' (1960)
* ''
Mehndi Rang Lagyo'' (1960)
* ''Hiro Salaat'' (1961)
* ''Veer Ramwalo'' (1961)
* ''Jogidas Khuman'' (1962)
* ''Vanraj Chavdo'' (1963)
* ''
Jesal Toral
''Jesal Toral'' is a 1971 Indian Gujarati devotional film written and directed by Ravindra Dave. It proved to be one of the biggest hits of Gujarati cinema and ran for 25 weeks in theatres.
Cast
* Anupama as Toral
* Upendra Trivedi as Jesal
* A ...
'' (1971)
* ''Parde Ke Peeche'' (1971, Hindi)
* ''Jher To Pidhan Jaani Jaani'' (1972)
* ''
Jungle Main Mangal'' (1972, Hindi)
* ''Kadu Makrani'' (1973)
* ''Raja Bharathari'' (1973)
* ''Ranakdevi'' (1973)
* ''Mahasati Savitri'' (1973)
* ''Blackmail'' (1973)
* ''Ghunghat'' (1974)
* ''Harishchandra Taramati'' (1974)
* ''Hothal Padmani'' (1974)
* ''Jogidas Khuman'' (1975)
* ''Jai Ranchhod'' (1975)
* ''Bhadar Tara Vehta Pani'' (1975)
* ''Shetalne Kanthe'' (1975)
* ''Chundadino Rang'' (1976)
* ''Malavpati Munj'' (1976)
* ''Ra'Navghan'' (1976)
* ''Santu Rangili'' (1976)
* ''Veer Mangadavalo'' (1976)
* ''Bhrashtachar Murdabad'' (1977)
* ''Halaman Jethvo'' (1977)
* ''Manno Manigar'' (1977)
* ''Paiso Bole Chhe'' (1977)
* ''Sadavant Savlinga'' (1977)
* ''Sonkansari'' (1977)
* ''Kali Rat'' (1977)
* ''Khel Khiladi Ka'' (1977, Hindi)
* ''Chundadi Odhi Tara Naam Ni'' (1978)
* ''Dada Khetrapal'' (1978)
* ''Manek Thumbh'' (1978)
* ''Patri Parmar'' (1978)
* ''Ver Ni Vasulat'' (1978)
* ''Amarsinh Rathod'' (1979)
* ''Garvo Garasiyo'' (1979)
* ''Kunwari Satino Kesari Kanth'' (1979)
* ''Lalwadi Phoolwadi'' (1979)
* ''Navrang Chundadi'' (1979)
* ''Preet Khandani Dhar'' (1979)
* ''Rang Rasiya'' (1979)
* ''Sona Indhoni Rupa Bedlun'' (1979)
* ''Suraj Chandrani Sakhe'' (1979)
* ''Vahue Vagovya Mota Khorda'' (1979)
* ''Veer Pasali'' (1979)
* ''Chitadano Chor'' (1980)
* ''Jivi Rabaran'' (1980)
* ''Kesar Kathiyani'' (1980)
* ''Koino Ladakvayo'' (1980)
* ''Namni Nagarvel'' (1980)
* ''Sorathni Padmini'' (1980)
* ''Amar Devidas'' (1981)
* ''Bhav Bhavna Bheru'' (1981)
* ''Mehulo Luhar'' (1981)
* ''Sheth Jagadusha'' (1981)
* ''Vansali Vagi Valamni'' (1981)
* ''Retina Ratan'' (1982)
* ''Vachhada Dadani Dikri'' (1983)
* ''Dharatina Ami'' (1984)
* ''Mali Methan'' (1984)
* ''Manasaina Diva'' (1984)
* ''Machchhu Tara Vaheta Pani'' (1984)
* ''Nagmati Nagvalo'' (1984)
* ''Sajan Sonalde'' (1984)
* ''Malo Naagde'' (1985)
* ''Sole Somwar'' (1988)
* ''Bhadarne Kanthe'' (1991)
* ''
Manvini Bhavai'' (1993)
* ''Maa Baap ne Bhulsho Nahi'' (1999)
As director
* ''
Manvini Bhavai'' (1993, based on the
novel of the same name)
* ''Jher To Peedha Chhe Jani Jani'' (1972)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trivedi, Upendra
1936 births
2015 deaths
Indian male film actors
Place of birth missing
Indian actor-politicians
Male actors in Gujarati-language films
Deputy Speakers of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly
Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
Gujarat MLAs 1998–2002
Indian National Congress politicians
Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Gujarat
Gujarat MLAs 1985–1990
Gujarat MLAs 1990–1995