In mid July, 2014,
news items appeared in the media that the PM Nawaz Sharif has ordered the house
of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, to be declared a national heritage and also to
take steps to restore it and turn it into a museum. Notification for that
purpose was issued on 26th July, 2014. I noticed, that the related news items in different newspapers or
websites mentioned only about half a dozen actors, who had roots in present day
Pakistan. I knew that the number is definitely much higher. So, I decided to do
a little research of my own on this topic, which is not only historically
interesting but culturally also very important. The result of this research was astounding.
When I started writing it, I had a figure of 40 in my mind, but by the time I
finished it, I found 175 Bollywood actors, actresses, producers and directors,
who were born in present day Pakistan or have family roots in this region.
Indian film industry based in Mumbai, which was called Bombay until
1995, is called Bollywood. Bollywood's importance can be gauged from the fact
that it is often referred to as the face of India. Its movies have always
remained popular in Pakistan. And except for a short period of a few years at
the turn of the 21st century, there have been no hostile movies
against Pakistan. That Pakistan bashing movies, are even embarrassing to many
mature Indians as well. I personally feel that the blame does not lie entirely
on Indians.
But I don't want to digress any further and come back to my topic of
this post. In this post I have mentioned those film personalities who were born
in those areas of India, which are now, part of Pakistan or their children who
worked and earned fame for themselves in the Bollywood. When I started writing
this post, another question that arose in my mind was that in which order I
should arrange their names. The safest solution I found was to write their
names according to their dates of birth.
Here I would feel it pertinent to mention that I
am not a big movie fan or an expert on Indian cinema. That’s why I have
confined myself mostly to facts only. I am writing this post, just because of my interest in history and as a
student of history I consider that the art is an integral part of history. I
also want to clarify that exact locations are difficult to find in most of the
cases. At least not know to me, so I shall appreciate if anyone can provide more
exact locations of their birthplace or residence. Here I would write just a brief introduction
to the lives of these artists and their roots in Pakistan. You must be thinking
that what the source of information is. Actually I took all information from
different websites, like Wikipedia, IMDb, newspapers articles, blogs etc.
A picture is said to be worth thousands of
words, but this one is sure worth millions.
001. Dewan
Basheswarnath Singh Kapoor
Dewan
Basheswarnath Kapoor was a sub inspector in Punjab Police, in Samundri, near
Faisalabad, and a small land owner. He had some interest in acting as well and
gave a cameo appearance in his grandson Raj Kapoor’s film Awara in 1951. I
could not find his date of birth or death. But his son Prithvi Raj Kapoor was
born in 1906. So we can assume that he was born probably in 1880s.
Dewan Basheswarnath Singh Kapoor
002. Naval Gandhi
Naval B. Gandhi was
born in 1897, in Karachi. He started directing movies in the era of silent
movies and directed many successful movies, starting in 1924. Some of his
movies are Shahjehan, Sanyasi, Bombay Ni Sethani, Balidaan, Veer Rajput,
Nadira, Devdasi, etc.
003. G. K. Mehta
G.K. Mehta was born on 8 July, 1899, in Lahore. He was a director and writer know for films likes Daughters of Today, Rashk e Laila, Bhaichara, etc.
004. K.P. Bhave
G.K. Mehta was born on 8 July, 1899, in Lahore. He was a director and writer know for films likes Daughters of Today, Rashk e Laila, Bhaichara, etc.
004. K.P. Bhave
K. P. Bhave was born in 1900 in Karachi. He was
a film director and producer. His first film was Shri Krishna Nardi, released
in 1927, in the era of silent films. Some of his other films are Nari Ki Nagan
and Raat Ki Baat.
005. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was born on 2 April, 1902,
in Kasur. He was a Hindustani classical vocalist, from the Patiala gharana.
His father was a famous singer, Ali Baksh Khan, in a West Punjabi family of
musical heritage. For a long time, Bade Ghulam Ali stayed away from singing in
films despite requests and persuasions from well known producers and music
directors. However, he was coaxed and convinced by K. Asif to sing two songs
based on ragas Sohni and Rageshree for the 1960
film Mughal-e-Azam, with the music directed by Naushad. After the partition of India in
1947, Khan went to his home in Pakistan, but returned to India later to reside
permanently. He died on 25 April, 1968.
Ustad Bare Ghualam Ali Khan
006. Abdul
Rashid Kardar
Abdul Rashid Kardar was born on
2 October, 1904, in Lahore. He was a film journalist. Producer G.K. Mehta gave
him chance as an actor in his film in 1924, in Lahore. That was one of the
first films to be produced in Lahore. It was a silent film. In 1928 he constructed
his own studio, thus laid the foundations of film industry in Lahore. Soon he
started producing and directing movies, under the banner of his own production
company. He directed many great movies in 40s, 50s and 60s. He died on 22
November, 1989 in Mumbai.
Abdul Rashid Kardar
007. J.P.
Advani
Jagatrai Pesumal Advani was born 17 May, 1903,
in Hyderabad, Sindh. He was a successful film director of early era of Indian
cinema. His first film Heer Ranjha was released in 1931. He remained active
till mid 50s. During this time he directed many famous movies. Some of his
films are Zahr e Ishq, Johar e Shamsheer, Gaafil Musafir, Shahzadi, Sassi
Punnu, Veena, Ladli, Lajwab, Haseen, etc.
Jagtrai Pesumal Advani
008. J. K. Nanda
Jai Kishan Nanda was born in 1904 in Bhaun,
district Chakwal. He was a film director and writer. He was one of the pioneers
in the film industry. His first film was The Sacred Ganges, released in 1932.
Some of his other films are Intaqam, Ishara, Jhumke, Parwana, Barati, Dhake Ki
Malmal, Parwana, Mirza Ghalib, etc. He died in 1983 in Bombay.
009. Ghulam
Ahmed Chishti
Ghulam Ahmed
Chishti was born on 17 August, 1905, in Jalandhar. He was an Indian/Pakistani
music composer, attributed as being one of the founders of Pakistani film
music. He is also sometimes referred to as Baba Chishti.
Working with filmi music, Chishti excelled at Punjabi compositions and was apt at weaving the
design of influences around Punjabi music. With almost 5,000 tunes to his
credit, he composed scores for 140–150 films and was the first musician to
reach the 100s threshold. Chishti is responsible for bringing Noor Jehan to the Lahore stage when she was 9-years
old in 1935. He gave music to films in Bombay but after the independence came
back to Lahore. He died on 25 December, 1995, in Lahore.
Ghulam Ahmed Chishti
010. Gul Hamid Khan
Gul Hamid Khan was born in Pirpial, KPK, in
1905. He started his acting career in silent films and later played leading
roles in talkies. He had many honors to his credit. He acted in Heer Ranjha,
the first film produced in Punjabi and in Seeta, a talkie that won an honorary diploma in the
1934 Venice Film Festival and
that was also the first Indian film shown at an International film festival.
Hamid also wrote the script, acted in, and directed the film Khyber Pass (1936 film). Gul Hamid, a handsome young man from Peshawar,
became an all-India celebrity when A.R.Kardar cast him in his hit movie. It is
said that the movie industry never again saw an actor with Gul Hamid’s
looksHamid died of Hodgkin's Disease in
1936.
Gul Hamid Khan
011. Moti B. Gidwani
Moti B. Gidwani was born in Sindh in 1905. He is well
known director and producer of Indian film industry. He started his career in
late 20s and remained active throughout 30s and 40s. He was one of the pioneers
of the film industry in India. He directed and produced many films, some of
which are Nisha Sundari, Josh e Jawani, Insaan Ya Shaitan, Daku Ki Ladki, Do
Auraten, Yamla Jat, Kaise Kahoon, etc. He made many of his movies in Lahore in
collaboration with Dalsukh Pancholi studios, which helped in establishing
Lahore as an important centre of film production.
012. Prithvi Raj Kapoor
Prithvi Raj Kapoor was born on 3rd
November, 1906, in Samundri. Kapoors were a Hindko
speaking Hindu family of Peshawar. But they had some connection with Samundri
as well, where Prithvi's father Dewan Basheswarnath Singh Kapoor was a sub inspector.
He got his education both at Khalsa College Lyallpur and Lahore and Edwardes
College Peshawar. He had a great passion for acting and started his acting
career in theatre in Lyallpur. Then he moved to Bombay in 1928 and after
appearing in some silent movies, worked in the first talking movie of India,
Alam Ara, in 1931. His most memorable role was as Emperor Akbar in the movie
Mughal-e-Azam. He is credited with laying the foundation of Kapoor film
dynasty, which has given most successful actors to Bollywood, generation after
the generation. Kapoor is called to be the best brand name of Bollywood. He
died on 29th May, 1972, in Mumbai.
Prithvi Raj Kapoor
013. Dalsukh Pancholi
Dalsukh M.
Pancholi was born in 1906 in Karachi. He was an Indian film-maker,
producer and distributor who is remembered for making the first Punjabi film.
Considered to be a film pioneer, Pancholi's Empire Talkie Distributors based
in Lahore were the biggest importer of American films in northern and
western India. Pancholi's Pancholi Art Pics was also the largest film studio in
Lahore at the time of the Partition of India. His film company
provided a launching pad for many great actors and actresses of that time. He
died in 1959 in Bombay.
014. Master Ghulam Haider
Master Ghulam
Haider was born in 1908. According to one account Haider was born in 1908
in Hyderabad, Sindh, in a Shaikh family, which is now a part of Pakistan. According to information revealed by Harjap Singh Aujla, Master Ghulam Haider hailed from a Rababi
Muslim (Punjabi) family of Amritsar and was born in Amritsar. His father's name was Bhai Mehar a reputed musician of
Amritsar. Ghulam Haider was a well-known music composer who worked
both in India and in Pakistan after independence. He changed the face of film songs by combining the popular Raags with the verve and rhythm of Punjabi music, and also raised the status of music directors. He is also known
for giving a break to the well-known playback singer, Lata
Mangeshkar. He started his career in 1935. Some of his hits are
Gul Bakavli, Yamla Jat, Khzanchi, Humayun, Majboor, Shaheed, etc.
After independence, he returned to Lahore and his first Pakistani film was Shahida
(1949). He composed music for many other films like Beqarar (1950), Akeli
(1951) and Bheegi Palken (1952) but the films flopped. He died just a few days
after the release of Gulnar. He died o 9 November, 1953.
Master Ghulam Haider
015. Hari Shivdasani
He was born in 1909 in Sindh in to a Hindu
Sindhi family. He worked as a character actor and appeared in 70 movies during
his career of 50 years. His daughter Babita proved to be much more successful.
He died in 1994.
Hari Shivdasani
016. N.R. Acharya
N R Acharya was
born in 1909 in Karachi. He was an Indian film director and producer.
He started in 1934 as an employee of the East India Film Company in Kolkata , one of the first sound film studios in
India. Later he moved to Bombay
Talkies and turned there some of the first films
under the new leadership of Sashadhar
Mukerji . His debut
film Azad followed the commercial hit Bandhan , both
with Leela Chitnis and Ashok Kumar in
the lead roles, and 1941 Naya Sansar ,
for Khwaja Ahmad Abbas wrote
his first screenplay. From 1942 to 1950 Acharya was also active as a
producer. The first film of its "Acharya Arts Prod." Originated
in 1942 Kishore Sahu's Kunwara Baap. He Died in 1993.
017. M. Ismail
M. Ismail, was a
resident of the Inner Bhati Gate in Lahore. Well built and fair complexioned,
Ismail had blue eyes, and was quite attractive. Mian Abdul Rasheed Kardar, also
belonged to the same area in Lahore. M. Ismail used to work as a golden
calligrapher, while Kardar was involved in sketching and illustration. They
went to Bombay in 1927, and according to Ismail, he and Kardar played Kaedo and
side hero respectively, in Imperial Company’s Heer Ranjha. Later,
Kardar learned production and became well known as a brilliant technician.
After Alam Ara opened the way for talkies,
Ismail became even more popular. In Kardar’s Hoor ePunjab, an
adaptation of Heer Ranjha, Ismail again played Kaedo, the
intriguing ice uncle of Heer, which he repeated yet again later, in film Heer
Siyal, with his characteristic style. His other films in India
include Alif Laila, Dekha Jaega, Mast Faqeer, Raja Gopi Chand, Prem
Pujari, Watan Parast, Sohni Mahiwal, Laila Majnoon, Zamindar and
others. In 1948, M. Ismail came to Pakistan, and immediately got offers from
seniors like Nazir, whose films, Pherey, Larey, Anokhi Dastan and Shehri
Babu included him in their cast. He died on 15 November, 1975, in
Lahore.
M. Ismail
018. Trilok Kapoor
Born in Peshawar, Trilok Kapoor did his initial
studies in Peshawar, probably in 1900s. Trilok came to Calcutta in 1928 and
later shifted to Mumbai and joined his brother Prithviraj. In Mumbai, he got
his debut movie Char Darvesh. After that, for some time, Trilok joined director
Hem Chandra as an assistant. The 1940s-50s were the time when mythological
movies dominated the Bollywood. In Vijay Bhatt's movie Ramayana Trilok played
the character of Lord Shiva and Nirupa Roy played Parvati. After that they got
many opportunities in the mythological films to act as Shiva-Parvati. Some
worth mentioned movies were Shiv Shakti, Shiv Kanya, Jai Mahadev, Ganesh Janma,
Ganesh Mahima and Har-Har Mahadev. The markets were flooded with the calendars
and posters of Trilok-Nirupa as Shiva-Parvati.
Trilok Kapoor
019. Sheikh Mukhtar
Sheikh Mukhtar was son of
Mohammad Shafi Khan. He was born in Karachi, probably 1900s. His father wanted
him to join police but he was interested in films. He started his career from
Calcutta and initially worked in theatre. A tall and manly figure, Sheikh
Mukhtar played a variety of roles like "dada” (Contemporary Bhai). He
produced Noor Jehan in which he played Sher Afghan Quli Khan, the first husband of
Queen Nur Jahan. Later he migrated to Pakistan and died. Some of his
movies are Ustaadoon Ke Ustaad, Hum Sab Ustaad
Hain, Halaku, Chenghis Khan, Birju Ustaad, ' Do
Ustad and Noor Jehan. Later on migrated to Pakistan and died on
12 May, 1980, in Karachi.
Sheikh Mukhtar
020. M. Sadiq
Mohammad Sadiq was born on 10 March, 1910 in
Lahore. He started his film career in
early 40s in Mumbai and during the next three decades produced or directed many
hit films. He was a successful producer and director of 40s and 50s. Some of
his memorable movies are Namaste, Saathi, Dak Bangla, Char Din, Pardes, Anmol
Ratan, Khazana, Poonam, Shabab, Musafirkhana, chhoo Mantar, Mai Baap, Khota
Paisa, Full Moon, Taj Mahal, etc. He died on 3 October, 1971, in Lahore. Where
was on a visit to produce and direct a Pakistani film Baharon Phool Barsao,
which proved to be one of the blockbusters of Pakistani cinema.
021. Kidar Nath Sharma
Kidar Nath Sharma was born on 12 April, 1910, in
Narowal. He got his education in Amritsar and also started playing in theatre.
He attended the Hindu Sabha College where he founded a College Dramatic Society
which would later give him his first break in film. His first big success came
in 1936, when he wrote dialogues and lyrics for the film Devdas. Some of his
other successful movies are Chitralekha,
Armaan, Mumtaz Mahal Neel Kamal, Bawre Nain, Jogan, Fariyad Kaajal, etc. As a director, he earned a name as a promoter
of new talent. His gifts to the Hindi cinema include Raj Kapoor, Madhubala,
Geeta Bali, Mala Sinha, Bharat Bhushan and Tanuja. He died on 29 April, 1999,
in Mumbai.
Kidar Nath Sharma
022. R.C. Talwar
Raghbir Chand Talwar was born on 21 April, 1910,
in Talagang, district Chakwal. He was a prominent film producer and director.
Some of his he directed many films in 40s, 50s and 60s. Some of his films are
Manchali, Albeli, Khiladi, Rukhsana, Mem Sahib, Naya Kanoon, Ek Dil Sau Afsane,
etc.
R. C. Talwar with Meena Kumari.
023. Nazir Ahmad Khan
Nazir Ahmad Khan was born in Lahore in 1910. He was
the first successful film hero in pre-independent India and later in Pakistan. Nazir was associated with almost two hundred films during his
career, which spanned over a period of 55 years. Nazir Ahmed was widely known
as Bao Jee in the film industries in India and in Pakistan. He made his debut
in 1929 in a film in Kolkata. He appeared in some other silent films also,
directed by A.R. Kardar. After acting in many successful movies in Kolkata he
moved to Mumbai in 1939. Nazir was one of the pioneers of the film industry in
India. He is the only hero in history to have been cast opposite 35 actresses
most of whom were the reigning queens of their time. In the turmoil of
partition he lost everything and moved to Lahore. And was one of the pioneers
who established Pakistan film industry. Sarfrosh, Aabe Hayat, Baghban, Taj
Mahal, Laila Majnu, Heer, Sachchai, Pheray, Noor e Islam, Khatoon, Hameda, etc.
He died in 1983.
024. Gohar Mamajiwala
Gohar Kayoum Mamajiwala was born in 1910 in
Lahore. She was also known as Miss Gohar, was an Indian singer, actress, producer & studio
owner. Gohar started her career at the
age of sixteen with the film Fortune and the Fools (1926) directed by
Kanjibhai Rathor and the role of the hero was portrayed by Khalil and the film
was produced by Kohinoor Films. The film was a Hit. Gohar along with Jagdish
Pasta, Chandulal Shah, Raja Sandow and cameraman Pandurang Naik started the
Shree Sound Studios. In 1929 along with Chandulal
Shah she founded the Ranjit Studios which
was later known as Ranjit Movietone. She died on 28 September, 1985.
Gohar Mamajiwala
025. Patience Cooper
Patience Cooper was born in 1910 in Calcutta.
An Anglo Indian from Calcutta. Cooper had a successful career in both silent and sound films. She was one of the early superstars
of Bollywood. Cooper
is credited with the first double roles of Indian cinema—as twin sisters in Patni Pratap and as mother and daughter in Kashmiri Sundari.
It is generally supposed Cooper married Mirza Ahmad Ispahani Saheb,
a well-known Indian businessman. In 1947, they migrated to Pakistan. Actually she was married to MAH Isphahani
at the age of 21 and divorced soon after. She then got married to Gul Hamid Khan, one of the first early silent movie
actors. He died six years later due to Hodgkin's disease. She remained friends with
MAH Isphahani till the end of her life. Cooper changed her name to Sabra Begum
and lived the last of her days with her two adopted daughters Zeenat and
Haleema in Karachi, Pakistan. She fostered andor adopted 17 children during her
lifetime. Cooper died in 1993.
Patience Cooper
026. Khawaja Khurshid Anwar
Khawaja Khurshid Anwar was born on 21 March, 1912, in
Mianwali, into a Kashmiri family. His aunt (sister of his mother) was married
to famous poet Allama Iqbal. His father Khawaja Ferozuddin Anwar was a
barrister in Lahore and had passion for music. Khurshid Anwar got his education
from Government College Lahore.
He
was a great filmmaker, writer, director and music composer. He got fame and
success both in India and Pakistan. He is widely credited as being one of the
most original and inventive music directors of his generation. He started his
career from All India Radio, Delhi and then entered the film industry. His first
film as a music director was, Punjabi movie Kurmai, released in 1941 in Bombay.
Being a very hard working person, fully dedicated to his work, he was known as
perfectionist. During his days in Bollywood he achieved the status of top
composer and musician.
In 1952 returned to Pakistan. In Pakistan he
gave music for the movie Intezar, which is considered to be one of his best of
works. Some of his other notable movies
are Mirza Sahiban, Zehr e Ishq, Jhoomer, Koel, Ayyaz, Ghughat, Haveli,
Chingari, Sarhad, Hamraz, Guddo, Heer Ranjha, Sham e Mohabbat, Parai Aag,
Shireen Farhad, Haider Ali and Mirza Jat. He died 30 April, 1984, in Lahore.
Khawaja Khurshid Anwar
027. Balraj Sahni
Balraj Sahni was
born as Yudhisthir Sahni on 1 May, 1913,
and belonged to a Hindu Khatri family of Bhera, near Sargodha. Bur probably was
born in Rawalpindi. He got his education from Rawalpindi and Lahore and got his
degree in masters in English from Punjab University.
From 1939 to 1943 he worked in the BBC in
Hindi service. (According to my information till mid sixties there was no Urdu
or Hindi service, but it was called Hindustani service). After doing some work
in theatre he appeared in his first movie in 1946. He truly established himself
as a successful actor in 50s and 60s. He was quite a literary man and wrote in English and Punjabi. In 1960 he
visited Pakistan and wrote Mera Pakistani Safarnama. I wish I can find it. He
had a very dignified personality and was never involved in any scandal. He was
a great actor but never won any award. That shows how futile sometimes these
awards are. He died on 13 April, 1973.
Balraj Sahni
On October 29, 2014, an article was published in The News, written by Mr Ammad Ali. I found it very informative, giving many details of the life of Balraj Sahni and his connection with Rawalpindi. I have copies it below:
.PNG)
028. R. K. Shorey
Roop Kishore Shorey was born on 28 January,
1914, in Quetta. He was an actor and director. He was married to famous actress
Meena Shorey. Some of his known movies are Ek Thi Ladki, Dholak and Ek Ladki Saat
Ladke, etc. He died on June 3, 1973 in Bombay,
Maharashtra, India.
Roop Kumar Shorey
029. A. K. Hangal
Avtar Kishan
Hangal was born on 1 February, 1914, in Sialkot, in Kashmiri Pandit family. He
started his career in acting in 1936, while performing in theatre in Peshawar.
Later on his family moved to Karachi and after the partition he moved to India.
According to Wikipedia, he spent three years in Karachi jail as well. But no
further details I could find. He went to Indian in 1949. He actively
participated in the freedom movement and later on remained a member of the
Communist Party of India. He was critical of communal parties like Shiv Sena.
For many years he remained active in
theatre only. But in 1966 he entered the film industry and played roles of
uncles, fathers and grandfathers in most of the films. Hence he was titled the
grand old man of Indian cinema. He played the role of Rahim Chacha in movie
Sholay. He died on 26 August, 2012.
Avtar Kishan Hangal
030. Khursheed Bano
Khursheed Bano was born as Irshad Begum on 14
April, 1914, in Chunian, district Kasur. a singer and actress, and a pioneer of
the Indian cinema. Her career ran through the 1930s and 1940s,
before she migrated to Pakistan in 1948. She is most known for her film Tansen (1943) with actor-singer K. L. Saigal, which featured many of career's best hits. Her
last film in India was Papeeha Re (1948), which was a great hit, prior to
her migration to Pakistan, leaving her mark in the Indian film industry.
She died on April 18, 2001 in Karachi.
Khursheed Bano
031. B. R. Chopra
Baldev Raj Chopra was born on 22 April, 1914, in Ludhiana. He
belonged to a family based in Lahore. He did his M.A in English Literature from
the University of Punjab, Lahore. He started his career in the film industry as
a journalist and a film producer, in Lahore. After the partition he first moved
to Delhi and then Mumbai. After directing a few films he opened his own
production company, B.R. Films in 1955. He had had a long and illustrious
career in the films and is considered one of the best directors and producers
of Hindi cinema. Some of his famous movies are Naya Daur, Sadhna, Kanoon, Gumrah, Humrāz, Dhund, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Insāf Kā Tarāzoo, Nikaah, Dhool Kā
Phool, Waqt, Ādmi Aur
Insān, Zameer, The Burning Train, Baghban, etc. He is elder brother of another famous
director and producer Yash Chopra. He died on 5 November, 2008.
Baldev Raj Chopra
032. G. P. Sippy
Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy was born on 14 September
1914. He was a Bollywood movie producer and director. He was of Sindhi
Hindu descent, with an original last name of Sipahimalani. He is known for
producing several popular Bollywood blockbusters such as Seeta Aur Geera,
Shaan, Saagar, Raju Ban Gaua Gentleman and magnum opus, Sholay. He died on 25
December, 2007.
033. Shaukat Hussain Rizvi
Syed Shaukat
Hussain Rizvi was born into a reputed Syed family, in the city of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh in 1914. Shaukat Hussain, a
personable and handsome man with a good taste of dressing for occasions, was
noted early and received a huge amount of attention from renowned showmen of
the Indian film industry. Famous filmmaker and financier Seth Dalsukh M. Pancholi noted him and brought Rizvi to Lahore from
Calcutta, where he edited films such asGul Bakavli (1939), Khazanchi (1941), etc. After editing a few films, he
was chosen by Dalsukh Pancholi as the director of their next venture, Khandaan. Rizvi's Khandaan, released in 1942, became one of the greatest hits of the
era, which provided footing for Noor Jehan and Pran, the leading artistes of the film. Noor Jehan
captured the hearts of cinegoers and the heart of Rizvi as well. After the
success of Khandaan, Rizvi and Noor
Jehan moved to Bombay together, where Rizvi directed his next
venture, Naukar (1943), based
on an Urdu story
written by Saadat Hassan Manto. In the same year, Rizvi and Noor Jehan were married.
Their marriage produced three children: Akbar Hussain Rizvi, Asghar Hussain
Rizvi and Zile Huma.
After the couple's marriage, they began a revolution with many superhit films,
which Rizvi directed or produced and Noor Jehan acted in, like Zeenat (1945) and Jugnu (1947).
Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Rizvi and Noor Jehan moved to Lahore. There he made many films but his career declined
and he and Noor Jehan divorced in 1953. He died in 1999, in Lahore.
Shaukat Hussain Rizvi
034. Bhisham Sahni
Bhisham Sahni was born on 8 August, 1915, in
Rawalpindi. He earned a master's degree in English at Government College
in Lahore. He was great writer and wrote many novels for
which he earned many national and international awards. He was younger brother
of Balraj Sahni. Late in life, he appeared in several films, including Saeed
Mirza's Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Tamas (1986), Kumar
Shahani's Kasba (1991), Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha (1993)
and Aparna Sen's Mr. and Mrs. Iyer(2002).
He died on 11 July, 2003.
Bhisham Sahni
035. Jayant
Zakaria Khan or Jayant was born in
Nodeh Payan (Nawa Kali) Peshawar, on October 15, 1915. His name Jayant was
given to him by director and producer Vijay Bhatt. He was father of famous actor Amjad Khan. He
was a famous actor of his age and mostly played the roles of a tough guy. He
remained active in films from mid thirties to late 70s. Some of his movies are
Lal Chitta, Sardar, Shirin Farhad, Dulari, Musafirkhana, Insaniyat, Leader,
Haqeeqat, Sanghursh, Do Raste, Mera Gaon Mera Desh , Hawaldaar, Reshma Aur
Shera, etc. He died on 2 June, 1975.
Jayant
036. Jeevan
Omkar Nath Dhar, known as Jeevan, was born on 24
October, 1915, in Sringar. His father was the governor of Gilgit, region of
future Pakistan. At that time Gilgit was part of Jammu & Kashmir state,
under the Dogra Raj. He got his
education in Lahore and came to Mumbai when he was only 18. He married Kiran
also from Lahore. He started his career in films at an early age. After doing
some odd jobs at a studio he got a chance to perform in a film, Fashionable
India. He played all kinds of roles, mostly that of a cunning villain. He had a
unique voice and accent, which gave an additional sinister touch to his
villainous roles. He also worked in films related to Hindu mythology and was
quite successful in that. Some of his notable films are Heer Ranjha, Roti, Amar
Akbar Anthony, Chacha Bhatija, Naseeb, Lawaaris, Sanam Teri Kasam, etc. He died
on 10 June, 1987.
Jeevan
037. Ram Daryani
Ram Daryani was born on 15 November, 1915, in
Hyderabad, Sindh. He was a prominent film director. Some of his films are Khun
e Nahaq, Zamana, Hindustan Hamara, Kurbani, Preet, Badi Bahen, Chirag, Tarana,
Majboori, Maan Ka Pyar, Mumtaz Mahal, Chand Mere Aja, etc.
038. Madan Puri
Madan Lal Singh Puri was born in 1915 in
Lahore. His first film was Ahinsa, released in 1946. Then for the next four
decades he had had a successful career in the film industry and appeared in 300
films. He performed in much diversified roles. Being a versatile actor he
played roles of villain to light comedy roles, with equal ease and excellence.
In fact he was more successful in elderly sympathetic
roles. He also worked in many Punjabi
movies. Some of his notable movies are Deewar, Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaye,
Upkaar, Chor Machaye Shor, Ankhiyoh Ke Jharokhon se, Swayamvar, Jhoothi, Radha
Aur Seeta, Prem Geet, Poorab Aur Paschim, Benaam, Anurag, Amar Prem, Aaradhana,
Kati Patang, Aamne Saamne, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Bidaai are some of his popular
films in which he did all types of roles. He died on 13 January, 1985, in Mumbai.
Madan Puri
039. Rajinder Singh Bedi
Rajinder Singh Bedi
was born in Sialkot in 1915. He was a progressive Urdu writer, playwright and a Hindi film director, screenwriter, dialogue writer and director. He got his education
in Lahore. He started his career as a writer and from radio. He is considered
as one of the top Urdu short story writer of 20th century. In 1943
he worked for a film studio in Lahore.
After the partition he moved to Mumbai and
started writing for films. His first film as a dialogue writer was released in
1949. Later on he also established a production in partnership with other
luminaries of that age. In his later career he wrote, directed and produced
many great movies. Some of his movies are Daag, Mirza Ghalib, Devdas, Garam
Coat, Madhumati, Bambai Ka Babu, Dastak, Abhimaan, Phagun, Ek Chadar Maili Si,
Rangoli, Mere Sanam, etc.
Rajinder Singh Bedi
040. Arun Ahuja
Arun Ahuja was born on 26 January, 1917, in
Gujranwala. He studied at an engineering college in Lahore. He came to Mumbai
in 1937 and worked in many notable films. Famous director Mehboob Khan cast him
in film Aurat in 1940 and it was a success. He worked in about 50 movies and
had a successful career in 40s. He also produced a film, which flopped and
ruined him financially and also affected his health badly. He is father of
famous actor Govinda. He died on 4 July, 1998.
041. Roshan
Roshan Lal Nagrath was born on 14 July, 1917, in
Gujranwala. This famous music director is known as simply Roshan. He started
his career in 1948, as an assistant music director of famous music director and
composer Khwaja Khursheed Anwar. He also worked with Nisar Bazmi. 60s was his
golden era or work. He is father of actor Rakesh Roshan and grandfather of
Hritihi Rohsan. He died on 16 November, 1967.
Roshan Lal Nagrath
042. Roshan Ara Begum
Roshan Ara Begum was born in 1917 in Calcutta. Roshan
Ara Begum visited Lahore during her teens to participate in musical soirées
held at the residences of affluent citizens of Chun Peer in Mohalla Peer
Gillaanian at Mochi Gate. During her occasional visits to the
city she also broadcast songs from the then All India
Radio station and her name was announced as Bombaywali Roshan Ara Begum. She had acquired this
popular nomenclature because she shifted to Mumbai, then known as Bombay, in the late 1930s to live
near Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, from whom she took lessons inHindustani
classical music for
fifteen years.. Migrating to Pakistan in 1948 after the partition of India, Roshan Ara Begum settled in Lalamusa, a small town from which her husband hailed.
She died on 6 December, 1982.
Roshan Ara Begum
043. S. D. Narang
Satya Dev Narang was born on 18 June, 1918, in
Lyallur. He was a director and producer, known forShehnai (1964), Dilli Ka Thug (1958) and Sagaai (1966). He died on January 25, 1986 in
Bombay, Maharashtra, India.
Satya Dev Narang
044. Shamshad Begum
Shamshad Begum was born on 14 April, 1919, in Lahore, in a Muslim family
and had seven siblings. Her father was Miya Hussain Baksh worked as a mechanic
and her mother was extremely conservative. Begum's talent was first
spotted by her principal when she was in primary school in 1924. n 1931,
when she was twelve, her uncle, who enjoyed qawwalis and ghazals, secretly took
her to Jenophone (or Xenophone) Music Company for an audition with Lahore-based
musician and composer, Ghulam Haider. It was Begum's paternal uncle Ameer Khan who
convinced her father, Miya Hussain Baksh, to allow her to sing. When she won a
contract with a recording company, her father agreed to let her sing on the
condition that she would record in a burkaand not allow herself to be photographed. Her
popular breakthrough came when she began singing on All India
Radio (AIR) in
Peshawar and Lahore from 1937.
In early 40s she shifted to Bombay and started
singing in films and soon became very popular in India. She was the most
popular singer during the next two decades. She died on 23 April, 2013, in
Mumbai.
Shamshad Begum
045. Ravindra Dave
Ravindra Dave was born on 16 April, 1919, in
Karachi. He started his film career in Pancholi Stuios, Lahore in 1940s. Later
on he migrated to Bombay and directed Hindi and Gujarati films. During his long
career spanning over four decades he directed and produced dozens of films.
Some of his films are Patjhad, Meena Bazar, Nagina, Raaz, Moti Mahal, Post Box
999, Farishta, Sant Surdas, Aankh Macholi, Band Master, etc. He died on 21
July, 1991, in Mumbai.
046. Dharam Kumar
Dharam Kumar was born on 26 November, 1919, in
Tando Adam, a town near Hyderabad, Sindh. He directed many movies starting in
1950 till 1990. Some of his movies are Jalte Deep, Diwali Ki Raat, Ghamand,
Main Aur Mera Bhai, Ek Saal Pehle, Teeri Meri Ek Jindri, Shal Deyar Na
Jaman, Papi Tarey Anek, Sukhi Pariwar, Jai Jhulelal,
etc. He made movies in Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages. He died on 28 July,
1993, in Bombay.
Dharam Kumar
047. Om Prakash
Om Prakash was born on 19
December, 1919, in Jammu or Lahore. I found both cities as his birthplace. But
it is certain that he started his career in Lahore. He was fascinated by
theatre, music and films. He started taking lessons in classical music when he
was just twelve and was recognised as a master in no time. He joined All India
Radio in 1937 on a monthly salary of Rs 25. He was
known as “Fateh Din”, a radio personality and his programmes made him popular
all over Lahore and Punjab. He also made his debut in films in Lahore. After
partition he moved to Mumbai. In his long career he worked in 307 films and was
a super hit in his comic roles. He was a versatile actor. He had developed a
style of his own, a style which was going to take him places, make him a big
name in the world of film entertainment for the next forty years. Some of his
films are Howrah Bridge, Dus Lakh, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Padosan, Sadhu Aur Shaitaan, Dil Daulat Duniya, Chupke Chupke, Namak Halaal, Gol Maal and Chameli Ki
Shaadi. Chacha Zindabad,Khandan, Haryali Aur Raasta, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Pati Patni, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Annadata, Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati, Doli, Chirag,Amar Prem, Aankh Micholi, Ek Hasina Do Diwane, Anuraag, Zanjeer, Sagina, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Loafer, Roti, Julie, Khushboo, Lawaaris, Bandish, Sharaabi, Chameli Ki
Shaadi, etc. He died on 21 February, 1998, in Mumbai.
Om Prakash
048. Mumtaz Shanti
Mumtaz Shanti was a very popular movie star of the 40′s and her
film Kismet (1943) is regarded as one of the biggest hits of Hindi
cinema. Mumtaz started her career in the early thirties in Lahore, by working
in a local theatre. She got a break in Lahore’s Mangti and was lured
to Bombay. With the success of Basant (1942) and Kismet (1943) (in
which she played a lame girl opposite Ashok Kumar) Mumtaz Shanti became one of
the top actresses of Bombay Talkies. She also played the female lead
in Ghar ki Izzat (1948) as the suffering wife of Dilip
Kumar. Like many actresses of her time, her acting style was very
theatrical.
In the mid-fifties,
she migrated to Pakistan along with her famous writer-director husband
Wali-Saheb. Wali, who started his career as a writer in the early thirties in
Lahore, used to write songs and stories for others before getting his first
assignment as a director. Of the few films he directed in Bombay
including Dekho-ji, Heer Ranjha and Putli, only the last
caught the public’s attention. In Pakistan, while Mumtaz Shanti retired to
become a housewife, Wali made Guddi Gudda in 1956 and
later Lukan Mutti and Sohni Kumaran, but none clicked
at the box-office. He died of heart failure in 1977. Their son Zafar Iqbal is a
noted maker of documentaries, who worked as a producer in the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan. Mumtaz Shanti died unknown and unsung in
Pakistan around 1993/1994.
Mumtaz Shanti
049. Pran
Pran Krishan Sikand was born on 12 February, 1920, in Delhi, into a
Punjabi family. Pran got his first role in Dalsukh M. Pancholi's Punjabi film Yamla Jat (1940) because of an accidental meeting with
writer Wali Mohammad Wali at a shop in Lahore. Directed by Moti B. Gidwani, the film featured Noor Jehan and Durga Khote. This was followed by small roles in the
film Chaudhary and Khajanchi, both in 1941. Pancholi cast him
again inKhandaan (1942), which was Pran's first Hindi film. The film featured himas romantic hero, opposite Noor Jehan,
who had acted with him in Yamla Jat as a child artist. Pran had acted
in 22 films from 1942–46 in Lahore, of which 18 were released by 1947.
After partition he migrated to Bombay and
continued his career in acting. Soon he became the most famous villain of
Indian Film Industry. He acted in almost 350 movies during his long career.
Some of his most famous films are Munimji, Devdas, Halaku, Jis Desh Mein Ganga
Behti Hai, Kashmir Ki Kali, Rajkumar, Mere Sanam, An Evening In Paris, Patthar
Ke Sanam, Ram Aur Shyam, Upkar, Brahmachri, Heer Raanjha, Parichay, Vicotira
No. 203. Zanjeer, Bobby, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dostana, Sharaabi, etc. He died on
12 July, 2013.
Pran
050. I. S. Johar
Inderjeet Singh Johar was born 16 February,
1920, in Talagang, District Chakwal. He was a man of many talents. He worked as
actor, writer, director and producer. He started working in movies in early 50s
and continued till 80s. He did many Punjabi movies as well. He also worked in
many Holloywood movies. He mostly appeared in comic roles. He was known for his
sarcasm and subtle and witty remarks. He was very popular in the masses because
of his style which set him apart from all other actors. He died on 10 March,
1984, in Mumbai.
Inderjeet Singh Johar
051. Iftikhar
Iftikhar Khan was born on 22 February, 1920, in
Sialkot. He started his film career in 1937 and during his long career of more
than five decades worked in almost 400 movies. He was called "The real
policeman of Bollywood", because he played the character of a policeman
very often. In classic movies like Zanjeer and Don he played the role of a
police inspector. But another hit movie of that age he played the role of a
mafia boss. He was a versatile actor and played a wide range of roles. He died
on 4 March, 1995, in Nellore. His sister Veena was also an accomplished
actress.
Iftikhar
052. Kamal Kapoor
Kamal Kapoor, Kamal Kapoor was born on 22 February, 1920, in Lahore. He got his
education at DAV College Lahore (currently housing Islamia College Civil
Lines). He started his film career in 1944, with Prithvi Raj Kapoor, working in
his theatre. In his career spanned over five decades he worked in hundreds of
movies. He played different kinds of roles from a gangster to the police
officer. He played the role of Narang in the movie Don (the real Don). He
always had a powerful presence on screen. He died on 2 August, 2010.
Kamal Kapoor
053. Achala Sachdev
Achala Sachdev was born on 3 May, 1920, in
Peshawar. She worked in All India Lahore Radio and later on Delhi Radio. Her
first film was Fashionable Wife, released in 1938, and she worked in 130 movies
in her long career. She mostly played sympathetic elderly lady in the role of
mother etc. Her most memorable role was in the classic movie Waqt, released in
1965. “Zohra Jabeen” of Bollywood, died in Pune, facing all kinds of hardships that
come with a very old age and loneliness and neglected by all, on 30 April,
2012.
Achala Sachdev
054. Bulo C. Rani
Bulo Chandiramani Ramchandani was born in 1920,
in Hyderabad, Sindh in a musical family. After completing his studies, Bulo
worked as assistant to music director, Ghulam Haider in Lahore. In 1942, he
came to Bombay and started working as an assistant to composer Khemchand
Prakash. Khemchand gave him a break as a singer in the film “Mehmaan” (1942)
and for some time his singing career flourished. He was a prominent composer
during 40s and 50s. He committed suicide on 24 May, 1993.
055. Chetan Anand
Chetan Anand was
born 3 January, 1921, in Lahore. He was a Hindi film
producer, screenwriter and director. His father Pishori Lal Anand was an
advocate in Lahore. He graduated from the Government College Lahore. He was
highly educated man and taught in a school in Dehra Dun and also worked for
BBC. He even qualified for Indian Civil Service. But his interest was in films.
He entered the film industry as a script writer,
but got a chance to act in Rajkumar, in 1944. Soon he turned to direction and
soon established as a leading director of Bollywood. He directed many hit films
and launched actors like his brother Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal in films. He
is also credited with discovering Rajesh Khanna. He died on 6 July, 1997, in
Mumbai.
Chetan Anand
056. Rehman
Rehman was born in 23 June, 1921, in Lahore. His film career spanned from 40s to 70s. In
his early life he joined air force in 1942 but that profession did no appeal
him and he joined film industry. He started his work in films as an assistant
director. But soon got a chance as an actor as well. He played suave
sophisticated roles, which suited his personality. He appeared in many films in
leading roles, later on he played character roles. He was successful in playing
all kinds of roles. Some of his famous movies are Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Waqt.
He is the elder brother of Pakistani
cinematographer Masood ur Rehman, who is father of famous Pakistan film and TV
actor Faisal Rehman. He died on 5 November, 1984, in Mumbai.
Rehman
057. H. S. Rawail
Harnam Singh Rawail was born on 21 August, 1921 in
Lyallpur. He was an Indian filmmaker. He debuted as a director with the
1940 Bollywood film Dorangia Daku and is best known for romantic films like Mere Mehboob (1963), Sunghursh(1968), Mehboob Ki
Mehndi (1971) and Laila Majnu (1976). His films were knowing for romantic
stories and good music. His other notable movies are Shararat, Sunghursh, etc.
He died on 17 September, 2004, in Mumbai.
058. Meena Shorey
Meena Shorey was born in 1921 in Raiwind, Pakistan.
She was the silver screen temptress of the 40′s and the 50′s. One of Meena’s
sisters married and moved to Bombay, and she and her mother followed. Sohrab
Modi at the time was looking for a young girl who could play the lead in Sikandar (1941),
Nasim, the most beautiful woman of her time, having walked out.
Therefore, Sikander marked her debut, the memorable Sohrab
Modi production starring Prithvi Raj as the world conqueror.She was an actress,
known for Ek Thi Ladki (1949), Shrimati 420 and Aag Ka Dariya. Some of her other films are Ek Do Teen,
Bedari, Shrimati 420, Aakhir Nishan, Ilzamm Tarana, etc. She died on February
9, 1987 in Lahore, Pakistan, forgotten and destitute.
Meena Shorey
059. Manmohan Krishna
Manmohan Krishna was born on 26 February, 1922,
in Lahore. Often credited as Manmohan, he was a popular Indian film actor and director, who worked
in Hindi films for
four decades, mostly as a character
actor. He worked in nearly 250 films, including
Punjabi films. Towards his later career he directed, hit film for Yash Raj Films, Noorie (1980) for which he was also nominated
for Filmfare Award for Best Director. Some of his films are Baiju Bawara, Anarkali,
Naya Daur, Saadhana, Bees Saal Baad, Waqt, Kala Patthar, etc. He died on 3
November, 1990.
Manmohan Krishna
060. Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar was
born Yusuf Khan into a Hindko- speaking Awan family of 12 children
on 11 December 1922
in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, in what is nowKhyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. His father,
Lala Ghulam Sarwar, was a fruit merchant who owned orchards in Peshawar
and Deolali (in Maharashtra, India). Dilip
Kumar did schooling from prestigious Barnes School, Deolali, near Nasik. In the
late 1930s, his family of 12 members relocated to Mumbai. Around 1940,
Dilip Kumar left home for Pune where he started
his career as a canteen owner and a dry fruit supplier. In 1943, actress Devika Rani, who owned Bombay Talkies spotted
Dilip Kumar in Aundh military canteens Pune, and cast him with a lead role
in the film Jwar Bhata (1944), which marked Dilip Kumar's
entry into the Hindi film industry. Hindi author Bhagwati Charan Varma gave him the screen name Dilip
Kumar. It is believed that Dilip Kumar could speak a number of languages, including
English, Hindi, Urdu, Hindko, and Pashto.” (Wikipedia)
He is considered as one of the greatest
actors of South Asia. For his services to humanity and for his efforts to
improve Pakistan India relations, the government of Pakistan awarded him
Nishan-e-Imtiaz 1998, the highest civilian award. He visited Pakistan to
receive it and also visited Peshawar to see his birthplace.
Dilip Kumar
061. O. P. Dutta
O.P. Dutta was born in 1922 in Gujranwala, in
Punjabi Brahmin family. He started his film career in 1948 as a film director. Later
on he wrote dialogues, scripts and stories for the films also. Reportedly in
early 50s he made a movie Anokhi, in Karachi and helped in establishing a
studio there. He is farther of famous director J.P. Dutta. He died on 9
February, 2012.
O. P. Dutta
062. Shailendra
Shankardas Kesarilal, known by his pen name Shailendra was born in Rawalpindi on 30 August, 1923. He was a popular lyricist and wrote lyrics for many popular Hindi movies in 1950s and 1960s.
He spent his early life in Mathura and later on joined Indian Railway. He moved to Bombay in 1947 and during this time started writing poetry. He was noticed by Raj Kapoor and started his association with film industry by writing song for Raj Kapoor's films in 1949. He is considered as one of the best lyricist in Hindi cinema. He died on 14 December, 1966. His family originally belonged to Ara district in Bihar.
063. Dev Anand
Shankardas Kesarilal, known by his pen name Shailendra was born in Rawalpindi on 30 August, 1923. He was a popular lyricist and wrote lyrics for many popular Hindi movies in 1950s and 1960s.
He spent his early life in Mathura and later on joined Indian Railway. He moved to Bombay in 1947 and during this time started writing poetry. He was noticed by Raj Kapoor and started his association with film industry by writing song for Raj Kapoor's films in 1949. He is considered as one of the best lyricist in Hindi cinema. He died on 14 December, 1966. His family originally belonged to Ara district in Bihar.
Shailendra
063. Dev Anand
Dev Anand was
born in Sharkargarh tehsil of Pakistan on 26th September, 1923. He died on 3rd
December, 2011. His father Pishori Lal Anand was a well known advocate. He did
his BA from government college Lahore. In early 1940s he shifted to Bombay and
in 1946 he got his first film Hum Aik Hain.
He was at the height of his popularity in
1950s and 1960s. A few Indian actors can rival him in the great popularity
which he enjoyed throughout his career. He had a unique style of his own, which
made him immensely popular especially among female fans. In his long career,
spanned over 65 years he worked in 114 films.
A great actor as he was, he was equally at ease
on performing different kinds of roles, whether serious or light, tragedy or
comedy. He died on 3 December, 2011.
Dev Anand
064. Uma Anand
Uma Anand was born in 1923 in Lahore. Uma
Anand was an Indian journalist, actress and a broadcaster in the mid
1900s. She was born in the year 1923 in Lahore, Pakistan. She worked as an actress in the
movies Neecha Nagar and Taxi Driver. She was wife of the
prominent bollywood film director Chetan Anand.
She was an editor of Sangeet Natak which was a journal published by the Sangeet Natak Academi from
1965-1981. She also wrote many children books that were translated and
published into various different Indian languages byNational Book Trust of
India. Her work on the last book was co-authored by her eldest son Ketan
Anand. The book was named Chetan Anand: The Poetics of Film and
it portrayed the life in theatre and cinema in Mumbai, India in early 40s and 50s. She died on 13
November, 2009.
Uma Anand
065. Gulshan Rai
Gulshan Rai was born on 2 March, 1924, in Lahore. He
started his career as a film distributor in early 50s. Later on he started
producing films as well. 70s was a productive decade for him and he produced
many blockbusters, including Johnny Mera Nam, Deewar, Trishul, Dream Girl, etc.
066. Nisar Bazmi
Nisar Bazmi was born on 1 December, 1924,
in Naseerabad, India. He was a composer and music director of Pakistan film industry. Bazmi remained one of the
most famous musicians of South Asia. The composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal were
musicians with Bazmi in India before the independence of Pakistan in 1947. After the partition he migrated
to Pakistan and continued giving music to films. He was one of the greatest
composers of Pakistan. He died on March 22, 2007.
Nisar Bazmi
067. Raj Kapoor
Ranbir Raj Kapoor
was born on 14 December, 1924, in Peshawar. He was born in Dhakki
Munawwar Shah near Qissa Khwani in Peshawar, into a Punjabi Hindu family. At the age of ten, he appeared in films for the first
time, in 1935's Inquilab. After acting in several films over the next 12
years, Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady. In 1948, at the age of
twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time making his
directorial debut with Aag. Raj Kapoor is appreciated both by film critics and movie fans. Film
historians and movie buffs speak of him as the "Charlie
Chaplin of Indian cinema," since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite
adversity, was still cheerful and honest. Some of his films are Aah, Awaara,
Boot Polish, Shree 420, Chori Chori, Sangam, Ek Dil Sao Afsane, Barsaat, Mera
Naam Joker. At the time of his death, he was working on the movie Henna (an Indo-Pakistan based love story). The film was later completed
by his sons Randhir and Rishi Kapoor, released in 1991 and became a huge
success at the Box Office. He is father of actor Ranbir Kapoor and Rishi
Kapoor. Her granddaughters Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor are also top
heroines. He died on 2 June, 1988, in Bombay.
Raj Kapoor
068. Swaran Lata
Swaran Lata was born into
a Siyal Jatt Sikh family in Rawalpindi, on December 20, 1924. In early 1940s, her family
moved to Bombay. Sawarn Lata later converted to Islam after she married Nazir Ahmed, a famous actor, director and producer at the time.
She changed her name to Saeeda Bano.
Swaran Lata started her career as a stage
actress. Her first film was Awaaz released in 1942. Swaran and Nazir
migrated to Pakistan at the time of the Partition of India in
1947. They left everything they had behind in Bombay and shifted to Lahore. She was a successful actress in Mumbai and in
Lahore too she achieved an equal success. She remained active in films from
early 40s to throughout of 60s. She died on 8 February, 2008.
Swaran Lata
069. Surinder Kapoor
Surinder Kapoor was born on 24 December, 1924,
in Peshawar. He entered the film industry as a secretary of famous actress
Geeta Bali. Later on he produced many films. He is father of famous actor Anil
Kapoor. He died in Mumbai on 24 September, 2011.
Surinder Kapoor
070. Mohammad Rafi
Mohammad Rafi was born on 24 December, 1924, in
Kotla Sultan Singh, district Amritsar. Mohammed Rafi was the fifth youngest of
six brothers. The sixth youngest Mohammad Siddique is still alive and lives in
Lahore, in their ancestral house. His father was Hajji Ali Mohammad. The family
originally belonged to Kotla Sultan Singh, a
village near present-day Amritsar in Punjab, India. Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, began
singing by imitating the chants of a fakir in the streets of Bhati gate Lahore where
his family lived. Rafi's father moved to Lahore in the 1920s. His elder brother, Mohammad
Deen, had a friend, Abdul Hameed, (future brother-in-law), who recognised the
talent in Rafi in Lahore and encouraged him to sing. Abdul Hameed later
convinced the family elders to let Rafi move to Mumbai; he accompanied him in
1944. In 1944, Rafi moved to Bombay. He and Hameed Sahab rented a
ten-by-ten-foot room in the crowded downtown Bhendi Bazar area. Poet Tanvir
Naqvi introduced him to film producers including Abdul Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer. Soon he
established himself as one of the top playback singers of Hollywood. He died on
31 July, 1980, in Bombay.
Mohammad Rafi
071. Bhagwan Mirchandani
Bhagwan Mirchandani was born on 25 April, 1925,
in Hyderabad, Sindh. He was an actor in many films. He is known for Here Lies
Lonely (1999),Naqoyqatsi (2002)
and Khwaab (2004). He was married to Martha and
Martha. He died on November 14, 2011 in Larkspur, California, USA.
Bhagwan Mirchandani
072. O. P. Nayyar
Omkar Prasad Nayyar was born on
16 January, 1926, in Lahore. He was a famous music director of Bollywood. He
started his career in late 40s and continued till 90s. During this long period
he gave music for many hit movies. In 50s and 60s he was counted among the top
music directors of Bollywood and worked with the most successful directors and
producers. Some of his movies are Aasman, Aar Paar, Mr and Mrs 55, CID, Naya
Dau, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Howrah Bridge, Phagun, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Kashmir Ki
Kali, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Kismat, etc. He died on 28 January, 2007.
Omkar Prasad Nayyar
073. Manorama
Manorama was born as Erin Isaac Daniel, on August 16, 1926. She started her acting career in Lahore and after the partition shifted to Bombay. known best for her role as the comical tyrant aunt in Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and film like Ek Phool Do Maali (1969) and Do Kaliyaan(1968). She started her career as a child artiste in 1926 in Lahore, under the name Baby Iris. Thereafter she made her debut as in adult actress in 1941 to her final role in Water in 2005, her career extending over 60 years. Through her career she acted in over 160 films. After playing heroine roles in the early 40s she settled into playing villainous or comic roles. She played comic roles in superhit films such as Half Ticket appearing alongside Kishore Kumar and the legendary Madhubala.
074. Veena Kumari
Manorama was born as Erin Isaac Daniel, on August 16, 1926. She started her acting career in Lahore and after the partition shifted to Bombay. known best for her role as the comical tyrant aunt in Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and film like Ek Phool Do Maali (1969) and Do Kaliyaan(1968). She started her career as a child artiste in 1926 in Lahore, under the name Baby Iris. Thereafter she made her debut as in adult actress in 1941 to her final role in Water in 2005, her career extending over 60 years. Through her career she acted in over 160 films. After playing heroine roles in the early 40s she settled into playing villainous or comic roles. She played comic roles in superhit films such as Half Ticket appearing alongside Kishore Kumar and the legendary Madhubala.
Manorama
074. Veena Kumari
Veena Kumari was born on 18 July, 1926, in
Quetta. Her real name was Tajwar Sultana. At some point of time, her
family shifted to Lahore and lived in Lahore's Chuna Mandi. She started out playing heroine roles in
Pre-Partition films. She made her debut
with Garib and Gawandhi (1942) at around sixteen years of
age. Garib was made in Urdu andGawandhi was made in Punjabi and
directed by Mehboob Khan. She retired in 1983 after the
release of Razia Sultan(1983) in which she played Empress Shah Turkhan.
She died in Bombay in 2004 after 21 years of retirement when
she was 78 years old after suffering from a protracted illness. She had
appeared in over 70 feature films in a career spanning 41 years (1942 till
1983). She was also a sister of well known late actor Iftekhar, born in Sialkot. She died on 14 November,
2004.
Veena Kumari
075. Noor Jahan
Noor Jahan, original name Allah
Wasai, was born on 26th September, 1926, in Kasur. She belonged to a family of
musicians and started singing in her childhood. Realising her potential for
singing, her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing
under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. She started her career in Lahore and performed in theatre.
First she moved to Kolkata and later to Mumbai to
fulfil her dream of working in films. She got her first chance of acting in
movie in Pind Di Kuri, in 1936. She made her debut as a child artist. Her first
film as an adult was in the movie Khandan with Pran, in 1942. The movie was a
success and soon Noor Jahan established her as the top singer and actress of
Bollywood. Her last film in Mumbai was Mirza Sahibaan, in 1947. Noor Jahan sang
127 songs in Indian films and the number of talking films she made from 1932 to
1947 was 69. The number of silents was 12. Fifty-five of her films were made in
Bombay, eight in Calcutta, five in Lahore, and one in Rangoon, Burma.
It was her love for her homeland and good luck for us
that after partition she chose to come back to Lahore. We Pakistanis usually
fail to fully appreciate and honour our heroes, but I feel great satisfaction
in the fact that this great artist was an exception. Pakistanis on all level,
official and public, fully appreciated her art and honoured her in a way that
she deserved. Malika-e- arannum Noor Jahan died on 23 December, 2000.
Noor Jahan
076. Raj Kumar
Raj Kumar was born as Kubushan Pandit, into a
Kashmiri Pandit family, on 8 October, 1926, in Loralai, Balochistan. He moved
to Bombay in late 40s and initially worked in police as a sub inspector. He
started his film career in 1952, but real success came in 1957, with the
release of Mother India and later on he remained active in films, throughout
his life. He had s unique style of dialogue delivery, which set him apart in a
galaxy of great stars of that era. He had a strong personality on and off the
screen. He was a man of his own mind. He
died in Mumbai on 3 July, 1996.
Raj Kumar
077. Prem Nath
Prem Natch Malhotra was born on 21 November,
1926, in Peshawar in the Karimpura locality. After partition his family first moved to
Jabalpur and later on Bombay. Where, he started his film career in 1948. He
worked in Hindi as well as Punjabi films. He was a leading villain of his age
and played the role of a villain in many blockbusters. He was active in 50s,
60s and 70s. He died on 3 November, 1992.
Prem Nath
078. Begum Para
Begum Para was born on 25 December, 1926, in Jhelum. She was an Indian Hindi film actress who was active mostly in the 1940s and
1950s. Some of his films are Chand, Sohni Mahiwal, Neel Kamal, Shahnaz, Jharna,
Laila Majnu, Saawariya, etc. She died on 8 December, 2008.
Begum Para
079. Kamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal was born on 16 January,
1927, in Lahore. Her father was a professor in the Government College and she
did her BA from Kinnaird College. Her first movie was released in 1946. She has
had a very successful career first as heroine and later as a character actress.
Her last film was released in 2003. She is currently living in Mumbai. She has
a great love for Lahore and has visited Pakistan thrice after the independence.
You can find more details on the blog of Ishtiaq Ahmed, link is given below:
Kamini Kaushal
080. J. Om Prakash
J. Om Prakash
was born on 24 January, 1927, in Lahore. He is a famous producer and director.
He started his career in early 60s and during the next four decades produced
and directed many memorable films. Some of his films are Aap Ki Kasam, Aankhon Aankhon Mein,Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Aaye Din
Bahar Ke, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Aas Ka
Panchhi, Aas Paas, Aasha, Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka, Apnapan, etc.
J. Om Prakash
081. Kedar Kapoor
Kedar Kapoor was born on 27 September, 1927, in
Peshawar. He was a film director. He started his film career in early 50s and
remained active for the next three decades in film industry. Lal Pari was the
first film he directed in 1954. Some of his other movies are Khaibar, Mast
Qalandar, Changez Khan, Miss Bombay, Devar Bhabhi, Do Behnen, Sapne Suhane,
Sikandar e Azam, Patanga, etc. He died on 5 June, 1987, in Bombay.
082. Jagdish Raj
Jagish Raj Khurana was born in 1928 in Sargodha. He played character
roles in his film career. He holds a Guinness World Record for being the most type-cast
actor. He played a police inspector in 144 films. Some of his popular
movies include Deewar, Don, Shakti,
Mazdoor, Imaan Dharam, Gopichand Jasoos, Silsila, Aaina and Besharam.
The official police offer of Bollywood died on 28 June, 2013, in Mumbai. He is
father of famous actress Anita Raj.
Jagdish Raj
083. Lekh Tandon
Lekh Tandon was born on 13
February, 1929, in Lahore. His father F.C. Tandon was a class fellow of Prithvi
Raj Kapoor in Khalsa High School Lyallpur. Prithvi inspired him to work in
films. Initially he worked as an assistant director and later on directed many
hit films. In addition to films he has directed many TV serials as well. Lekh
is also credited for discovering Shahrukh Khan by casting him his TV serial Dil Dariya. As a director some of his
movies are Professor, Amrapali, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye, Agar Tum Na Hote, etc. He also has appeared in
some movies like Swades, Paheli, Rang De
Basanti, Halla Bol, Chaarfutiya Chhokare, Chennai
Express, etc.
Lekh Tandon
084. Nargis
Fatima Rashid, known as Nargis
was born on 1 June, 1929, in Kolkata. Her father was Uttamchand Mohanchand
alias Mohan Babu, a wealthy Hindu Mohyal from Rawalpindi. Her mother was Jaddanbai, a Muslim whose family had settled in the Punjab region. Nargis' family had then migrated to Allahabad from West Punjab. She was married to Sunil Dutt, born in 1929 in
Khurd, near Jhelum. Her son Snjay Dutt is also a famous actor.
She first appeared as a child star in a movie in
1935. Her first film as adult was released in 1942. During the next three
decades she worked in numerous films and achieved great success. She is
remembered for her great acting skills, playing a wide range of characters. She
died of cancer on 3 May, 1981, in Mumbai.
Nargis
085. Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt was born on 6 June,
1929, in a small village Khurd, about 20 kilometers south west of Jhelum city.
The location of his house is at: 32°48'29.20" N, 73°34'31.70" E. I visited his birthplace
in April, 2014. You can find more details on a post in the same blog. He
visited his birthplace Khurd in 1998.
After partition his family first moved to Ambala
and later on to Lucknow. To pursue his interest in films, Sunil Dutt moved to
Mumbai. First he worked on radio and his first film was Platform, released in
1955. He rose to stardom in 1957, with the release of film Mother India. Dutt
was one of the major stars of Hindi cinema in the late 1950s and 1960s and continued
to star in many successful films which included Sadhna, Sujata, Mujhe Jeene
Do, Khandan, Padosan, Gumraah, Waqt, Hamraaz, Heera, Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye, Nagin, Jaani Dushman, etc. He is father of actor Sunil Dutt. His
wife Nargis was also a famous actress. He died on 25 May, 2005.
Sunil Dutt
086. Suraiya Jamal
Suraiya Jamaal Sheikh was born on 15 June, 1929, in Gujranwala.
This stunning beauty was not only a successful actress but also a popular
singer. She first appeared in a movie as a child star in 1937. She was
introduced into films by her uncle Zahoor, who was a popular villain. She
worked with Noor Jahan in the film Anmol Ghadi. She was such a successful
singer that she was given the title of Mallika-e-Tarannum, later on the same
title was given to Noor Jehaan. She never married and died on 31 January, 2004,
in Mumbai.
Suraiya Jamal
087. Rajendra Kumar
Rajendra Kumar was born on 20th July,
1929, in Sialkot. His grandfather was a businessman and his father also owned
textile business in Karachi. They had to leave everything behind in the wake of
partition in 1947. His first film Mela came in 1948, and he gradually gained
foothold in the industry, but the real breakthrough came in 1957, with the
release of the blockbuster film Mother India. He remained popular throughout
sixties. He was a genuinely sensitive and good natured man, so perhaps that’s
why he portrayed such kind of roles without any difficulty. There was a time
that he would be starring in several films simultaneously running in their
silver jubilee weeks on cinema. So much so that he was titled Jubilee Kumar. He
died in Mumbai on 12th July, 1999.
I cannot confirm but I vaguely remember a
news item and a picture as well, informing about his visit to Sialkot, Pakistan,
sometime in 1980s or probably early 1990s.
Rajendra Kumar
088. Yash Johar
Yash Johar was born on 6 September, 1929, in Lahore. He started his career in films in 1952 and worked with the legends of that age like Dev Anand and Sunil Dutt. Later on in 1976 he started his own production house, Dharma Productions. He gave many successful movies to Bollywood, like Dostana ,Agneepath ,Hum, Gumrah, Duplicate, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi, Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho , etc. He died on 26 June, 2004. He is father of famous director and producer Karan Johar.
Yash Johar
089. Ramanand Sagar
Chandramauli Chopra, known as Ramanand Sagar, was born
on 29 December, 1929, in a small village Asal Guru Ke, near Lahore. He worked
hard to pay for his education and he was a gold medalist in Sanskrit and
Persian from the University of Punjab in 1942. He also worked
as a journalist.
After
the partition he went to Mumbai and worked in the theatre of Raj Kapoor. In
1950 he established his own film and television production company. During his
career spanning over four decades, he produced, directed and wrote many
successful movies in Bollywood. He also produced many TV serials. Some of his
movies are Barsaat, Sangdil, Jan Pehchan, Paigham, Ghunghat, Rajkumar, Prem
Bandhan, etc. He died on 12 December, 2005.
Ramanand Sagar
090. Anand Bakshi
Anand Bakshi was born on 21 July, 1930, in Rawalpindi.
After the partition his family settled in Delhi. In 50s he entered the film
industry as a writer and soon started writing lyrics for films. He wrote 3500
songs in 683 films. He wrote lyrics for
songs in many blockbuster movies such as including Bobby and Amar Prem, Aradhana, Jeene Ki Raah, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Aaye Din
Bahar Ke, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Seeta Aur
Geeta, Sholay, Dharam Veer, Nagina, Hum, Mohra), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Heer Raanjha, Dushman,Taal, Mohabbatein, Yaadein, etc. He died on 30 March, 2002, in Mumbai.
Anand Bakshi
091. Rajkumar Kohli
Rajkumar Kohli was born on 14 September, 1930,
in Lahore. is an Indian film director. He was famous for directing
several popular Bollywood films
in the 1970s and 1980s with ensemble
casts. Some of his films are Kahani Hum Sab Ki,
Nagin, Jani Dushman, Badle Ki Aag, Naukar Biwi Ka, Bees Saal Baad, etc.
Rajkumar Kohli
092. Geeta Bali
Geeta Bali was born
as Harkirtan Kaur, in 1930 in Sargodha. Her family moved to Mumbai and they were living in near poverty when she started to get
breaks in films. Geeta Baali started her film career as a child actress, at the
age of 12, with the film The Cobbler. She made her debut as a heroine in
Badnaami. Bali became a star in the 1950s. Unlike other actresses who gave up
films after marrying into the Kapoor family, Bali kept acting until her death.
Her last film was Jab Se Tumko Dekha Hai in 1963. She was married to actor Shammi Kapoor. Her films include
Bawre Nain, Baazi, Ghayal, Albela, Jaal, Baaz, Anand Math, etc. She died in
1964.
Geeta Bali
093. Shammi Kapoor
Shamsher Raj Kapoor was born on 21 October, 1931
in Bombay. He was son of Prithvi Raj Kapoor born in Lyallpur, in 1906. He started
his career in early 50s and was one of the most famous actors of 60s. He
remained active in films during throughout his life, first in leading roles and
later on in supporting roles. Some of his films are Laila Majnu, Daku, Tumsa
Nahin Dekha, Mirza Sahibaan, Junglee, Professor, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali,
Janwar, Brahmachari, An Evening In Paris, Professor Pyarelal, Sohni Mahiwal,
Betaab, Rockstar, etc. He died on 14 August, 2011 in Mumbai.
Shammi Kapoor
094. Rajendra Nath
Rajdnedra Nath was
born in Peshawar, in 1931. He was the brother of famous actor Prem Nath. He was
very active in his film career as a comedian. He worked in 187 films, mostly
playing comic roles of a hero's friend. He excelled in his work and worked in
many super hits movies of 60s and 70s. He worked in some Punjabi films as well.
He died on 13 February, 2008.
Rajendra Nath
095. Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri was born on 22 June, 1932, in
Lahore. He started his acting career from theatre and established him as a well
known actor of theatre in 1960s. Earlier he had failed to enter films. But in
late 70s he got a chance in movies as well and soon proved himself to be the
top villain of 80s and 90s. Late on he played positive roles also with equal
success. With great voice and personality he made his presence felt on the
screen, no matter what kind of roles he was playing. He worked in films of many
languages including Punjabi. Some of his famous films are Dostana, Naseeb,
Gandhi, Shakti, Hero, Coolie, Meri Jung, Mr. India, Shahenshah, Ghayal,
Saudaagar, Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Taal, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, etc.
He also worked in Hollywood. Famous director
Spielberg said about him, “Amrish is my favorite villain- The best the world
has ever produced and ever will!”. He died on 12 January, 2005, in Mumbai.
Amrish Puri
096. Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra was born on 27 September, 1932,
in Lahore. He was a top director, producer and screenwriter of Bollywood and
gave many super hit films, like Deewar (which established Amitabh as the top
actor and gave him the title of angry young man), Kabhi Kabhi and Trishul. He
introduced Shah Rukh Khan in the films. In 2004 he made the film Veer Zara,
based on the characters from Pakistan and India. He died on 21 October, 2012,
in Mumbai.
Yash Raj Chopra
097. Indira Bansal
Indira Bansal was
born on 3 December, 1932, in Rawalpindi. She was a known actress of Indian
cinema. She started her film career in 1952. She remained active till 1981, when
her last film was released. She performed in all kinds of roles from heroine to
elderly roles. Some of her films are Shrimati Ji, Heer, Tees Mar Khan, Chand Ki
Duniya, Deccan Queen, Pyar Ka Bandhan, Woh Kaun Thi, Leader, Ek Sapera Ek
Lutera, Bahu Begum, Brahmachari, Tumse Achha Kaun Hai, Victoria No. 203, Jhoota
Kahin Ka, etc.
Indira Bansal (Left)
098. Madhubala
Mumtaz Jehan
Begum Dehlavi, famous as Madhubala, was born on 14 February, 1933, in Peshawar.
His father worked in Imperial Tobacco Company, but after losing his job they
shifted to Bombay. They faced many hardships and in result of the destruction
caused by Bombay docks explosion, the family became destitute. She started her
film career in 1942 as a child artist and later on appeared in many films in
child roles. Her first big success came in 1949 with the release of movie Mahal
and in a couple of years she was the top most heroine of the Bollywood. She
definitely was one of the most beautiful heroines of Indian cinema. Like of her
I cannot even imagine now. She reached the zenith of her career when she played
the role of Anarkali, in the historic film Mughal-e-Azam. Due to some heart
problem her health started to fail early. She died on 23 February, 1969, in
Bombay.
Madhubala
099. Brij Sadanah
Brij Sadan was born on 6 October, 1933, in Gujranwala. He was active in
film industry from early 50s till late 80s. During this period he produced and
directed many movies. Some of his movie are Mardon Wali
Baat, Oonche Log, Professor
Pyarelal, Bombay 405
Miles, Ek Se Badhkar
Ek, Chori Mera
Kaam, Victoria No.
203, Kathputli, Yakeen, Night in
London, Yeh Raat Phir
Na Aaygi, Ustadon Ke
Ustad, Tu Nahin Aur
Sahi, etc. He committed suicide on 21 October, 1990.
Brij Sadanah
100. Vijay Anand
Vijay Anand was on 22 January, 1934, in Sharkargarh.
His father Pishori Lal Anand was an advocate in Shakargrh. He was a younger
brother of famous actor Dev Anand. Also known as Goldie Anand, was
an Indian filmmaker, producer, screen writer, editor, and actor. But he mostly well remembered as a director. He directed many hit
movies, some of them are Johny Mera
Naam, Jewel Thief, Teesri Manzil, Kala Bazar, Ram Balram, Rajput, Tere Mere Sapne, Guide, etc. He also worked in
television. He died on 23 February, 2004, in Mumbai.
Vijay Anand
101. Mohan Kumar
Mohan Kumar was born on 1 June, 1934, in
Sialkot. He was a producer, director and screenwriter. He started his career in
Bollywood in early 60s and remained active for almost 3 decades in the film
industry. Some of his films are Aas Ka Panchhi, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Aap Aye
Bahaar Ayee, Avtaar, Amir Gareeb, Aap Beeti, Aap To Aise Na The, Aap Ki Parchhaiyan, etc.
102. Shyama
Shyama was born
on 7 June, 1935, in Lahore, in Baghbanpura locality. Her real name was
Khursheed Akhtar. She was a successful actress in 50 s and 60s. She started as
a child star and remained popular for a long time. She was known for her
sensitive acting and picturizing songs on her. She now lives in Mumbai, alone,
with all sorts of problem that come with age. You can find some interesting
gossip about her on the following blog:
Shyama
103. Prem Chopra
“Prem naam hai mera ….. Prem Chopra”. The
most cunning, scheming and mean villain of Bollywood, Prem Chopra was born on
23rd September, 1935 in Lahore. Nothing but smile comes on my face
whenever I see or think of this most loveable “villain” of Bollywood.
After
partition he went to Simla with his parents. His father wanted him to be a doctor
or a civil servant like him. But Prem had some other plans in his mind and
despite stiff resistance from his parents, moved to Bombay to pursue a career
in films. After a long struggle he got a chance in a Punjabi film Chaudry
Karnail Singh, which was released in 1960. Initially he played positive roles
but gradually moved to negative roles, where he proved to be more successful.
Success came slow, but by mid 60s he established himself as a successful actor.
During has career of almost 50 years, he has worked in 320 films, which speaks
a volume of his successful career. He is living in Mumbai.
Prem Chopra
104. Bhimsain
Bhimsain was born in 1936 in Multan. He was a film
director, producer and composer. He is considered as India's animation film
maker and of parallel cinema movement in India of the 70s. He belonged to
family of artists; he gravitated to arts and music early, studying fine arts
and learning classical music. In 1961, Bhimsain moved to Mumbai after he
secured a job at the monolith Films Division as background-painter. It is here
that he learned the art and craft of animation film-making. In 1971, he became
independent. His first animation short film "The Climb" won him the
prestigious "Silver Hugo award" at the Chicago Film Festival. He
christened his company Climb Films (now Climb Media) after the film's success.
Since then there has been no looking back.
105. Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar was born on 24 July, 1937, in
Abbottabad. After the partition he lived for some time in Delhi and later one
moved to Bombay to pursue his interest in movies. He made his debut in 1957,
but the success came in the early 60s. He worked in many movies with patriotic
themes and earned the title of Bharat Kumar. Later on he gave many super hit
films as director as well. In 1989 he cast famous Pakistani actors Muhammad Ali
and Zeba in his film clerk.
Manoj Kumar
106. Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor, born Balbir Raj Prithviraj
Kapoor on 18 March 1938, in Calcutta, is an Indian film actor and film producer. He is son of
Prithvi Raj Kapoor who was born in Lyallpur, 1906. Kapoor received his higher
education at the Edwardes
College in Peshawar. He started his career from acting in theatre
and later on became of one of the most popular and successful actors of Hindi
cinema. He appeared in 116 films, some of which are most memorable films of
Bollywood. Besides acting he produced and directed films as well. His
filmography includes Jab Jab Phool Khile, Raja Saab, Rootha Na Karo, Sharmilee,
Kabhie Kabhie, New Delhi Times, Roti Kapada Aur Makan, Deewar, Kala Patthar, Do
Aur Do Paanch, Trishul, Prem Kahani, Shaan, Silsila, etc.
Shashi Kapoor
107. Mac Mohan
Mohan Makjiany, known as Mac Mohan was born on
24 April, 1938, in Karachi. He mostly played the roles of a villain in his 218
movies. He was usually cast in the role of a gang member, an associate of the
leading villain. He was Sambha whom Gabbar Singh asked the most famous question
in the history of Indian Films “Array O Sambha, Kitnay aadmi thay”. Despite
playing small roles in films, he remained popular for a long time. Some of his
films are 'Zanjeer', 'Majboor', 'Rafoo Chakkar', 'Don', 'Shaan' and 'Satte Pe
Satta'. He died on 1o May, 2010.
Mac Mohan
108. Gulzar
Sampooran Singh Kalra, known by his pen name
Gulzar, was born on 18 August, 1936, in Dina, near Jhelum. He is famous poet, lyricist and director. He
belonged to a Arora Sikh family. After partition his family moved to India. He
started working in the film industry in 1963 and has remained active ever
since. He primarily writes in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. Besides writing songs
for numerous films he directed many films as well and has achieved great
success in both fields. He is married to famous actress Rakhi.
Gulzar
109. Jabeen Jalil
Jabeen Jalil was born on 1
April, 1939, in Delhi. Actress Jabeen Jaleel's name is well known to fans of Hindi
cinema of the 1950s and 60s. Although She acted in merely 24 Hindi and 4
Punjabi films in her almost 20 year career, she made millions fans of her
beauty and wonderful acting.
Jabeen's mother Dilaara Jaleel was a well educated
lady who had got Munshi Faazil's degree. She hailed from Lahore's famous Faqeer
brothers’ family. These three brothers Sayyad Faqeer Nooruddin, Sayyad Faqeer
Saeeduddin and Sayyad Faqeer Azizuddin were much respected ministers in the
court of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Lahore's famous Faqeerkhana Museum is named
after them. Sayyad Faqeer Azizuddin was the Foreign minister in the Maharaja's
court. Jabeen's mother Dilaara Begum was his great granddaughter. Her elder
sisters are settled in Pakistan.
Some of her movies are Taj Mahal, Batwara, Chaudhry
Karnail Singh, Jadugar Daku, Raat Ke Raahi, etc. She currently lives in Mumbai.
Jabeen Jalil
110. Prakash Mehra
Prakash Mehra was born on 13
July, 1939, in Rawalpindi. He was a famous producer and director. He started
his film career in 50s and later on achieved a great success in direction and
production. In 1973, he produced and directed Zanjeer. This mega blockbuster with Amitabh
Bachchan started a relationship that spanned 7 more
films, 6 being huge blockbusters Khoon Pasina, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Lawaaris, Namak Halaal, and Sharaabi.
Prakash Mehra
111. Narendra Nath
He was the younger brother of Prem Nath and Rejendra Nath. I could not find his date of birth. But his family moved out of Peshawar in 1947, so it can be safely assumed that he was born in Peshawar, sometime in late 30s. He was a successful villain of 60s, 70s and 80s. Though not as successful as his elder brothers, but nevertheless, he found considerable success in the film industry.
112. Amjad Khan
He was the younger brother of Prem Nath and Rejendra Nath. I could not find his date of birth. But his family moved out of Peshawar in 1947, so it can be safely assumed that he was born in Peshawar, sometime in late 30s. He was a successful villain of 60s, 70s and 80s. Though not as successful as his elder brothers, but nevertheless, he found considerable success in the film industry.
Narendra Nath
Amjad Zakaria
Khan was born on 12 November, 1940, in Peshawar. He played many small roles in
his early age. He also worked in theatre. The breakthrough and stardom came in
1975, with the release of Sholay, an all time blockbuster of Indian cinema. He
played the role of Gabbar Singh, which has left indelible marks on the memory
of generations of movie watchers. I still remember that my class fellows in my
primary school referred to him as Gabbar Singh, no matter whatever the movie
was. His famous dialogue “Kitne aadmi thay”, is still repeated in many
contexts. In Pakistan media sometime raise the question about the number of
persons present in a political meeting in these words. He was so popular that
first time a villain was cast in advertisements. Later on he played many kinds
of rols and proved him a versatile actor of the highest talents. He died on 27
July, 1992.
Amjad Khan
113. Kumar Shahani
Kumar Shahani was born on 7 December, 1940, in
Larkana. He is a highly educated man. He made his debut in films in 1972 as a
producer. Later on he produced many films, including short films as well. Many
of his films won awards and critical acclaim. Some of his films are Maya Darpan,
Tarang, Khayal Gatha, Kasba, Char Adhyay, etc. His films are some of the best
films of the Hindi Parallel Cinema.
Kumar Shahani
114. Goga Kapoor
115 - Govind Nihalani
Ravinder Kaporr, popularly known as Goga Kapoor was
born on 15 December, 1940, in Gujranwala. He was a popular villain and a
talented actor. Initially he worked in English plays. He got his break in films
in 1971. He appeared in almost 120 films in his career. Besides that he also
worked in television serials. Some of his films are Zanjeer, Khoon Paseena,
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Yaarana, Lawaris, Shakti, Coolie, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,
Refugee, etc. He died on 3 March, 2011in Mumbai.
Goga Kapoor
115 - Govind Nihalani
Govind Nihalani was born on 19 December, 1940,
in Karachi. He is an Indian director, cinematographer, and also a
screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing Hindi films since the late seventies, and worked
in the television medium. His first directorial venture was Aakrosh starring Om Puri, Naseeruddin
Shah, the late Smita Patil and the late Amrish Puri. This was based on a real story which was
converted into a film script by the eminent Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar and
it made a huge impact on audiences all over India. Some of his films are
Ardh Satya, Party, Thakshak, Dev, etc.
Govind Nihalani
116. Asrani
Asrani was born on 1 January, 1941. He belongs
to a Sindhi Hindu family. His father migrated to Jaipur after the partition. He
was interested in acting and came to Mumbai in 1962. After a long struggle he
got a chance in 1966 in a Gujrati movie. He achieved success in this file in
early 70s as a comedian. He made a record of appearing in 101 films in 70s and
107 films in 80s. He has also directed a few movies. Some of his films are
Bawarch, Abhimaan, Ajnabee, Sholay, Nikaah, Hulchul, etc.
Asrani
117. Sadhana
Sadhana Shivdasani was born on 2 September,
1941, in Karachi. Famous actress Babita is her cousin. (Their fathers are real
brothers) She aspired to be an actress from the early age and her father
supported her. She made her debut in Abana, the first Sindhi film in India, in
1958. Her first Hindi film Love In Simla was a hit. She soon stood among the
top heroines of Bollywood. In 60s her hair cut was a popular fashion and was
called Sadhana cut. Some of her movies are Hum Dono, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina,
Rajkumar, Woh Kaun Thi, Waqt, Mera Saaya, Aap Aye Bahaar Ayi, etc.
Sadhana
118. Amitabh Bachchan
Don’t be
surprised to find the name of this great actor in this list. Amitabh Bachchan
was born on 11 October, 1942, in Allahabad. His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a famous poet. His mother Teji
Bachchan was born on 12 August, 1914, in Faisalabad. She belonged to a Khatri
Sikh family. Her father Sardar Khajaan Singh was a barrister in Faisalabad.
After her marriage she moved to Allahabad, where Amitabh was born.
He made his debut in films in 1969. But the
real breakthrough came in 1973, when the film Zanjeer was released. And as they
say the rest is history. The fame he has achieved has never since been achieved
by any actor. There was a time when he was called “a one man industry”. No
other actor has commanded prestige and fame equal to his. His films Deewar,
Don, Naseeb, Silsila, Kabhie Kabhie, Shakti, Amar Akbar Anthony, etc. are among
the best movies of Indian cinema. He got the fame as an angry young man, but he
played light roles with equal success. In 2000s he had a successful career at
TV as well.
In March, 2014, former prime minister of
Pakistan Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain invited Amitabh to visit Pakistan. In his
reply he thanked him and assured him to visit Pakistan given an opportunity.
Amitabh also thanked Pakistanis for their love and support. For more details
please check the following links:
Amitabh in film “Don” with Zeenat Aman. As
it is not only difficult but impossible to capture Don, similarly it is not
only difficult but impossible to make (again) a movie like Don.
Amitabh Bachchan
119. Kader Khan
Kader Khan was
born on 22 October, 1942, in Pishin, Pakistan. He is a Pashtun. His family
moved to Bombay when he was only one year old. He is a highly educated man and
before entering the film industry he taught civil engineering in a college. He
was introduced into film industry by Dilip Kumar, who was impressed by his
talent in acting. Kader Khan is a very versatile artist; he has excelled in
acting both as a villain and a comedian. In addition to that he is a very
famous story and script writer. And has given many hit films to the Indian film
industry. He has remained active from early 70s till now.
Kader Khan
120. Rajesh Khanna
Rajesh Khanna was born as Jatin Khanna on
29 December, 1942, his father’s name was Lala Hiranand Khanna. Earlier it was
believed that Rajesh Khanna was born in Amritsar but after his death on 18th
July, 2012, it emerged that he was actually born in Burewala, in district
Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan. According to the news reports he was born in H-Block
of Burewala, and there is still a house, which has “Jatin Niwas” inscribed in
Hindi on its entrance. His father Lala Hiranand Khanna was the headmaster of
the High School from 1931until his retirement in 1947. After the partition they
all moved to Amritsar.
He started his film career in 1966 and soon
gained such popularity that he was called “the first super star” of Hindi cinema.
Such popularity has rarely been enjoyed by any other actor. He remained active
in films from late 60s to 80s and gave dozens of hit movies. His romantic
movies, especially in 1970s are still very popular. Picturizing songs was his
special forte, his team with Kishore Kumar gave many memorable songs, kind of
which Hindi cinema has not been able to produce ever since.
He died in Mumbai on 18th July, 2012.
His death came as big shock to his fans. Many great artists have died in the
past, but the outpouring of sentiments on his death was unprecedented, from the
highest to the lowest levels. In Pakistan, such news generally does not get
much prominence, but the news of his death was a top story for many days. Even
the prime minister of Pakistan Raja Pervez Ashraf issued a statement of
condolence and called him a “great actor whose contribution to the field of
films and arts would be long remembered. [He had a] large fan following across
the borders and captivated audiences with his excellent acting skills”.
Rajesh Khanna
121. Parikshit Sahni
Parikshit Sahni was born as Ajay Balraj Sahni on
1 January, 1944, in Murree. He is son of famous actor Balraj Sahni born in 1913
in Rawalpindi. He is a famous film and TV actor and has done many movies
besides many popular TV serials. He has worked in both Hindi and Punjabi films.
He has been acting in films for more than forty years. Some of his notable
films are Kabhie Kabhie, Kala Patthar, Meri Jung, Marhi Da Deeva, Lage Raho
Munna Bhai, Umrao Jaan, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, etc.
Parikshit Sahni
122. Saira Bano
123. Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Saira Bano was born on 23 August, 1944, in Mussooie. Her
mother Naseem Bano was also an actress. Her father Mian Ehsan ul Haq was a
Punjabi landlord, with connections in western Punjab. Her elder sister Begum
Para, who herself was a famous actress was born in Jhelum in 1926.
Saira entered the film industry at a young age. Her first
film was Junglee, released in 1961. That launched her successful career as an
actress. She ended her career in 1976. Some of her movies are Aayi Milan Ki
Bela, April Fool, Padosan, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Purab Aur Paschim,
Bairag, etc. She married famous actor Dilip Kumar in 1966.
Saira Bano
123. Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Kulbhushan Kharbanda was born on 21 October,
1944, in Hassanabdal, near Rawalpindi. He started his acting career from
theatre and later on moved to movies. His first film was released in 1974. He
played very diverse kind of roles and achieved success in both commercial and
art films. He has acted in many Punjabi films, Chan Pardesi (1980) being the
most famous.
Kulbhushan Kharbanda
124. Shekhar Kapoor
Shekhar Kapoor was born on 6 December,
1945, in Lahore. He studies accountancy and started his career as a chartered
accountant in England. In films he started his work as an actor in 1975 and
appeared in a few movies. Later on he directed his first film Masoom in 1983.
He was more successful as a director and directed many hit movies. In 1998 he
directed a Hollywood movie, Elizabeth. It was nominated for 7 Oscars. He is
active both in Bollywood and Hollywood.
Shekhar Kapoor
125. Navin Nischol
Navin Nischol was
born on 11th April, 1946, in Lahore. He was a gold medalist from Film and Television Institute of
India in 1972. In the early
70s he gave many hit movies as a lead character, but later on he mostly did
character roles. He had had a moderate success in the films. However, on
television he had a greater success. He was a very cultured and soft spoken man
and did the same kind of roles on the screen as well. He died on 19th
March, 2011.
Navin Nischol
126. Ravi Chopra
Ravi Chopra (born 27 September 1946) is an
Indian movie producer and director. He is the son of legendary producer &
director B.R.Chopra and nephew of producer &
director Yash Chopra. He is known for directing the epic
Indian television series Mahabharat. Some of his films are Zameer, The Burning Train, Mazdoor, Dahleez, Baabul,
etc.
Ravi Chopra
127. Vinod Khanna
Vinod Khanna was
born on 6 October, 1946, in Peshawar. His family moved to Bombay in 1947. He
started his film career in 1968. In the beginning he mostly played supporting
roles or as a villain. But later on he established himself as a successful actor
and played the roles of a hero in many movies. He had a commanding personality
and made his presence felt on screen.
In 90s he started his political career and
unlike many other actors had a big success in this field as well. He was
elected four times from the Gurdaspur constituency of the Lok Sabha, a position
which he still retains. He also remained a minister from 2002 – 04. He is father
of an equally successful actor Akshye Khanna.
Vinod Khanna
128. Suresh Oberoi
Vishal Kumar Oberoi, known as
Suresh Oberoi was born on 17 December, 1946, in Quetta. His father Anand Sarup
Uberoi, was a Punjabi Real estate business man. After the partition
his family settled in Hyderabad, India. He started his showbiz career from
radio and modelling. He entered film industry in late 70 and was successful as
a character actor. Some of his notable movies are Kala Patthar, Lawaaris, Namak
Halaal, Phir Wohi Raat, Ek Baar Phir, Coolie, Sharaabi, Parinda, Mujrim, Tiranga,
etc.
Suresh Oberoi
129. Ramesh Sippy
Ramesh Sippy was born on 23 January, 1947, in
Karachi. He is a famous director and producer. His father G.P. Sippy was also a
film director and producer. He has produced and directed many hit films in
Bollywood. Some of his films are Brahmachari, Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay,
Shaan, Shakti, Akayla, Kuch Na Kaho, Taxi No. 9211, etc.
Ramesh Sippy
130. Randhir Kapoor
Randhir Kapoor was born on 15 February, 1947, in
Bombay. He is a son of Raj Kapoor born in Peshawar in 1924. Randhir first appeared
as a child artist in Shree 420 (1955) and Do Ustad(1959). He made his acting
and directorial debut with Kal Aaj Aur
Kal (1971) which also starred his wife, father
and grandfather. Some of his other films are Jawani Diwani, Haath Ki Safai,
Dharam Karam, Ram Bharose, Chacha Bhateeja, Kasme Vaade, etc. He is father of
Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor.
Randhir Kapoor
131. Babita
Babita was born on 20 April, 1948, in Bombay. His
father Hari Shivadasani was from Sindh and himself was an actor in the films.
She worked only in 19 films in late sixties but some of them were big hits.
Because of her beauty and talent she was quite popular and despite her brief
career, she is still remembered by her fans. She ended his film career in 1971,
when she married actor Randhir Kapoor. They had two daughters Karisma Kapoor
and Kareena Kapoor, who turned out to be the leading actresses of the
Bollywood.
Babita
132. Rakesh Roshan
Rakesh Roshan Lal Nagrath was born on 6 September, 1949, in Mumbai. He
is a son of famous music director Roshan who was born in Gujranwala, in 1917.
He started his career in films in 1970 and has since worked as actor, director
and producer. He was a good and successful actor but proved himself more
successful as director and producer. Some of his movies as actor are ankhon
Aankhon Mein, Nafrat, Bali, Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara, Hamari Bahu Alka, Shubh
Kaamna, Ankhon Ankhon Mein, Aakraman, etc. As a director producer he gave such
hit films like, Kala Bazar, Khel, King Uncle, Koyla, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish, Kites, etc. He is father of famous actor Hritihik Roshan. He is married to Pinky, daughter of director
J. Om Praksh born in Lahore in 1927.
Rakesh Roshan
133. J. P. Dutta
Jyoti Prakash
Dutta was born on 3 October, 1949, in Bombay. He was the son of famous director
O. P. Dutta (born in 1922 in Gujranwala). Father and son both worked together
and gave many successful films to cinema. He is a successful director of
Bollywood and has directed films like, Border, Refugee and Umrao Jaan (new).
Famous actress of 70s and 80s Bindiya Goswami is his wife.
J. P. Dutta
134. Kiran Kumar
135. Pahlaj Nahilani
I could not find date or place of birth of Pahlaj Nihalani. But he is younger brother of Govind Nahilani who was born in Karachi in 1940. He also probably was born in the same decade. Pahlaj is a film producer and produced his first film in 1982. Since then he has produced many successful movies, like Haathkadi, Aandhi – Toofan, Ilzaam, Aag Hi Aag, Paap Ki Duniya, Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, etc.
136. Rahul Rawail
Kiran Kumar's grandfather was
the governor of Gilgit, then a part of Dogra state of Jammu and Kashmir. Probaly
was born in late 40s. His father Jeevan lived and studied in Lahore and his
mother was also from Lahore. He is active in films since early 70s and mostly
plays character roles, portraying strong personalities. His heavy voice also is
suitable for such kind of roles. He has also achieved success in Gujrati movies
and on television.
Kiran Kumar
135. Pahlaj Nahilani
I could not find date or place of birth of Pahlaj Nihalani. But he is younger brother of Govind Nahilani who was born in Karachi in 1940. He also probably was born in the same decade. Pahlaj is a film producer and produced his first film in 1982. Since then he has produced many successful movies, like Haathkadi, Aandhi – Toofan, Ilzaam, Aag Hi Aag, Paap Ki Duniya, Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, etc.
Pahlaj Nahilani
136. Rahul Rawail
Rahlul Rawail was born on 7 April, 1951, in
Mumbai. He is son of film director H.S.
Rawail who was born in 1921 in Lyallpur. Like his father he also entered
the film industry as a director. He started his career in 1980. His first
successful movie was Love Story in 1981. Later on he directed many successful
movies. Like his father he also mostly directed romantic and musical films. He
has directed television plays also. Some of his films are Biwi O Biwi, Betaab,
Samundar, Anjaam, Aur Pyar Hogaya, Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi, etc.
Rahul Rawail
137. Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor was born on 4 September, 1952, in Bombay. He is son of Raj Kapoor born in Peshawar in 1924. Like his father he is counted among the top actors of Hindi cinema. His first film in a leading role was Bobby, released in 1973 and was a blockbuster. Some of his other films are Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, etc. He is father of actress Sonam Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor
138. Raj Babbar
Raj Babbar was born on 23 June, 1952, in
Tundla near Agra, India. He learned acting and started his film career in 70s
and had a considerable success as an actor. Besides Hindi he also gave some hit
movies in Punjabi. One of his famous movies is Nikaah, which included Pakistani
actress Salma Agha. Famous writer Ishtiaq Ahmed, who has worked on the subject
of partition and its effects on people, took an interview of Raj Babbar on
October 20, 2001, which I am quoting below:
"Raj Babbar
gave me the following account:
Though I was born in Agra where my family
settled after Partition, our original home was in Jalalpur Jattan. I visited
Pakistan sometime back to attend a Punjabi conference. The receptions at the
airport and in the hotel were memorable. I felt that I was at home among my own
people. I expressed a desire to visit my hometown and this was immediately
arranged. Some young men from Jalalpur Jattan formed a caravan of motorcycles
as we drove into the town.
The townspeople received me very warmly. Many
elders remembered my family and also the exact house where we lived. I was told
me that a mosque had been built in the courtyard of our old house and therefore
they were not sure if I would like to go there. I said to them, "I would
be very pleased to go there if you have no objection. Now I know the secret of
my success. If people are praying five times a day in the courtyard of my house
then obviously their blessings help me
become so successful. This pleased everybody and we quickly went on to see the old house."
become so successful. This pleased everybody and we quickly went on to see the old house."
Raj Babbar
139. Boney Kapoor
Boney Kapoor was born 22 April,
1955, in Meerut. He is son of Surinder Kapoor, a film producer in Bollywood,
who was born in Peshawar in 1924. He is the elder brother of actor Anil Kapoor.
He is a prominent producer of Bollywood and has produced some of the most
successful movies of Indian cinema. Some of his famous movies are Who Saat Din
Mr India, Judaai, Run, Wanted, No entry, etc. He is married to famous actress
Sri Devi.
Boney Kapoor
140. Rajesh Roshan
Rajesh Roshan Lal Nagrath was born on 24 May, 1955 in
Mumbai. He is a son of famous music director Roshan who was born in Gujranwala,
in 1917. He is younger brother of Rakesh Roshan. He is a music composer and has
given music for many famous movies. He started his career in 1974 and soon
achieved great success in his work as a music director. His collaboration with
his brother Rakesh Roshan has produced many hit films. Some of his movies are Kunwara Baap, Des Pardes, Man Pasand, Lootmaar, Doosra Aadmi, Muqaddar, Swami, Khatta Meetha,Baaton
Baaton Mein, Yehi Hai Zindagi, Ek Hi Raasta, Swarg Narak, Inkaar, Do Aur Do Paanch, Nishaan, Aakhir
Kyon, Kabzaa, Jurm and Bahaar Aane, Koyla, Daag: The Fire, Kaun
Sachaa Kaun Jhootha, Dastak, Kaho Na
Pyar Hai, Kaya Kehna, Krrish, Kites, etc.
Rajesh Roshan
141. Kirron Kher
Kirron Anupam Kher
was born on 14 June, 1955, in Bombay. She is famous actress of Bollywood. She
has acted in many commercially and critically successful films. She is active
since early 80s. She is married to actor Anupam Kher. Some of her movies are
Pestonjee, Sardari Brgum, Devdas, Hum Tum, Veer Zaara, Mangal Pandey, Rang De
Basanti, Kurbaan, etc.
She is ethnically a Punjabi and
in an interview she expressed her feelings about Pakistan as following:
"In Pakistan I was
revisiting my roots all over again. It was like a pilgrimage for me," said
Kher, whose mother hailed from Pakistan.
Kirron Kher
142. Rajiv Rai
Rajiv Rai was born in Mumbai in 1955. His father
Gulshan Rai, born in Lahore in 1921, was a famous director and producer of the
Bollywood. Rajiv himself produced many successful movies in 90s, like Tridev, Vishwatma, Mohra, Gupt etc. Currently he is based in London is not
very active.
Rajiv Rai
143. Salma Agha
Salma Agha was born
on 25 October, 1956, in London. Agha was born into a Pathan Nasreen (born as Zarina Ghaznavi) and Liaqat
Gul Tajik. Her father was given the title of Agha, as he was a
reputed businessman of precious stones and antiques in Iran. Salma's maternal grandparents are actor Jugal
Kishore Mehra and actress Anwari Begum who starred in the first ever made Heer Ranjha (1932). Salma's biological maternal
grandfather was Rafiq Ghaznavi. Nasreen was later adopted by Jugul Kishore
Mehra, who converted to Islam and took on
the name Ahmed Salman.
She sang as
well as acted in Indian films in the 1980s and the early 1990s. Her first
film was B.R Chopra's Nikaah for which she
won the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for the ghazal "Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon
Mein Beh Gaye". Later on she worked in many Indian and Pakistani films,
some of them became hit.
Salma Agha
144. Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor was born on 24 December, 1956, in
Mumbai. He is son Surinder Kapoor, a producer of films in Bollywood, who was
born in Peshawar in 1924. He made his debut in films in 1979 and son got big
success. He has remained busy ever since and never faced a slump in his career.
During this long period he has given dozens of successful movie, both
commercially successful and critically acclaimed. He has also done many
international projects and most well known Indian actor, globally.
Anil Kapoor
145. Amrita Singh
Amrita Singh was
born on 9 February, 1958. His father is father Shivinder Singh, a grandson of
Sir Sobha Singh, a famous contractor, who belonged to a prominent Sikh family
of Hadali, district Khushab. He is also a nephew of great write Khushwant
Singh, who was also born in Hadali, in 1915. Her mother is Rukhsana Sultan,
who's mother Zarina is a younger sister of famous actress Begum Para born in
Jhelum in 1926. Zarina's father was Mian
Ehsan-ul-Haq.
She made her debut in films in 1983 and
achieved considerable success in movies. In the beginning she mostly played light
roles but later on she also played very serious roles, and was acclaimed for
her performance by the critics.
Amrita Singh
146. Kunal Kapoor
Kunal Kapoor, born in 1959, is a former
Indian film actor of British and Indian descent. He is the son of Shashi Kapoor and
late Jennifer Kendal. Kunal was born in the famous Kapoor family,
particularly known for having produced several generations of popular actors
and actresses. His paternal grandfather was Prithviraj Kapoor, who was born in 1906 in Lyallpur. Kunal mostly
acted in his father's films. He acted in many films but failed to
establish himself as a successful actor. He acted in films like Sidhartha,
Junoon, Ahista Ahista, Vijeta, Ustav, etc.
Kunal Kapoor
147. Madhu Kapoor
Madhu Kapoor (born
probably in 1950s) is an Indian film actress. She is daughter of director Kedar
Kapoor, who was born in Peshawar in 1927. She was active in films in 1970s and
80s as an actress. She appeared in many films during this time but failed to
make a mark.
148. Kumar Gaurav
Kumar Gaurav was born on 11 July, 1960, in
Lucknow. He is son of Rajendra Kumar born in, 1929, in Sialkot. His first film
was Love Story in 1981. He appeared in a few hit films like Love Story and
Naam, but his career failed to take off and most of his other movies did not do
well. He is married to Namrata Dutt, daughter of Sunil Dutt born in Jhelum, in
1929.
Kumar Gaurav
149. Karan Kapoor
Karan Kapoor, born on 17 January, 1952, is
a former Indian film actor and model of British and Indian descent. He is the
son of Shashi Kapoor and late Jennifer Kendal.
His paternal grandfather was Prithviraj Kapoor, who was born who was born in 1906 in Lyallpur.
e made his debut in Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed 1978 film Junoon which also featured his parents and both
siblings. He had a minor part in his father's production 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981).
He appeared in the British television series The Jewel in the Crown in
1984. He also worked in Sultanat, Loha, etc
Karan Kapoor
150. Anita Raj
Anita Raj was born on 13 August, 1962, in
Mumbai. She is daughter of Jagdish Raj born in 1928 in Sargodha. She was a
popular actress in 80s. Her first film was Premgeet, released in 1982. During
the next decade she appeared in many successful movies. Some of her notable
movies are Prem Geet, Naular Biwi Ka, Ghulami,
Lakhon Ki Baat, Kala Dhanda Goray Log,
Hawalaat, Satyamev Jayate, Hiraasat, etc.
Anita Raj
151. Govinda
Govind Arun Ahuja
was born on 21 December, 1963, in Mumbai. His father, Arun Ahuja, was himself
an actor and was born in 1917, in Gujranwala. His mother Nirmala Ahuja, was
also an actress and singer. He entered filmdom in 1985 and almost instantly
achieved success. 90s saw him as a superstar of that decade with a series of
hit films. He is an excellent dancer and dance is a very important ingredient
of Indian movies. Most of his films were comedy and he was perfect in those
humorous roles. He was often called No,1, because of his No.1 series of films.
He is still active in films.
Govinda
152. Rajiv Kapoor
Rajiv Kapoor was
born on 25 August, 1962, in Mumbai. He is the youngest son of actor/director Raj Kapoor,
who was born in Peshawar in 1924. Though he could not repeat the success of his
father; but was active in films in 80s. During this time he appeared in many
films. His movie Ram Teri Ganga Maili was a hit. Some of his other movies are
Aasman, Lava, Zabardast, Angaray, Preeti, etc.
Rajiv Kapoor
153. Sanjay Kapoor
Sanjay Kapoor was born 17 October, 1965, in Mumbai. He is son of Surinder
Kapoor, a film producer in Bollywood, who was born in Peshawar in 1924. He made
his debut in cinema in 1995. He appeared in many films and earned the
appreciation of critics, but however failed to establish himself as a
successful actor. He is the younger brother of Anil Kapoor. Some of his films
are Prem, Sirf Tum, Chhupa Rustam, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Luck
By Chance, etc.
Sanjay Kapoor
154. Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan
was born on 2 November, 1965 in Delhi. His father Mir Taj Mohammad Khan was
born in Peshawar, who lived in Qissa Khwani Bazar. His mother Latif Fatima was
an adopted daughter of Major General Shah Nawaz Khan Janjua, who joined the
rebel army of Subhash Chandra Bose and after independence chose to stay in
India and remained active in politics until his death in 1984. Originally he
belonged to Matore, Kahuta. He belonged to a prominent family of army officers.
His nephew Lt. Gen. Zaheer ul Islam is currently the chief of ISI.
Shah Rukh started his acting career from TV
in late 80s and later on moved to films. His first film Deewana was released in
1992 and that was a hit. Since then he has given dozens of hit movies and
earned himself the title of "King Khan". He is reported to be the
richest actor of the Hindi Cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan
155. Juhi Chawla
156. Ayub Khan
Juhi Chawla was
born on 13 November, 1967, in Ambala. Chawla is a Pujabi and Sindhi clan. I
found on net that she visted Pakistan in January, 2013, to meet his family in
Karachi. It was also mentioned on many website that she has close relatives in
Karachi and she has visted this city earlier as well.
She is an Indian
actress, voice actress, film producer, television presenter and former Miss India (1984). After being crowned as the winner of
the Miss India beauty contest in 1984,
Chawla pursued an acting career. Chawla made her film debut in Sultanat (1986) and received wider public recognition
with the tragic romance Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. She has been nominated for Filmfare
Awards seven times,
winning it twice, one for Best Debut and one for Best Actress. Besides working in Hindi films she has also
worked in a few Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bengali and Kannada films. Some of her films are Kaafila,
Benam Badsha, Bol Radha Bol, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,
Andaz, Yes Boss, Saat Rang Ke Sapne, Ishq, etc.
Juhi Chawla
156. Ayub Khan
Ayub Khan was born on 23 February, 1969. He is son of actor Nasir Khan,
brother of Dilip Kumar. His mother is actress Begum Para, who was born in
Jhelum in 1926. He is an Indian film and television actor. He started his
career in films in early 90s and though could not make it to the top league,
but performed in many films. on TV however, he was more successful. Some of his
movies are Maashooq, Khilona, Jeo Shaan Se, Dil Chahta Hai, Woh, Revati, etc.
Ayub Khan
157. Aditya Chopra
Aditya Chopra was
boron 21 May, 1971, in Bombay. He is son of Yash Raj Chopra. Chopra started his
flim making career at the age of 18 as an assistant director, working with his
father for films like Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991) and Darr (1993). Chopra, after gaining a respectable
amount of experience, started independently at the age of 23 with the all time
blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol for which he was the director
and writer. Some of his other films are Chandni, Darr, Dilwale Dulhania
Lejayenge, Veera Zara, Salaam Namaste, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Rocket Singh,
Aurangzeb, etc.
Aditya Chopra
158. Kamal Sadanah
Kamal Sadanah was born on 21 October, 1971. He
is son of director and producer Brij Sadanah born in Gujranwala, in 1933. Kamal
started his film career in early 90s. His first film was Bekhudi, released in
1992. During the 90s he worked in many films, which failed at the box office.
Later on he tried his luck at film production, but here too he failed to
achieve any success.
Kamal Sadanah
159. Rohan Sippy
Rohan Sippy was born in 1971, is an Indian film director and producer. He is son of famous director Ramesh Sippy who was born in Karachi, in 1947. Some of his films are Kuch Na Kaho, Bluffmaster, Nautanki Saala, Chandni Chowk To China, Sonali Cable, etc.
160. Arman Kohli
Rohan Sippy was born in 1971, is an Indian film director and producer. He is son of famous director Ramesh Sippy who was born in Karachi, in 1947. Some of his films are Kuch Na Kaho, Bluffmaster, Nautanki Saala, Chandni Chowk To China, Sonali Cable, etc.
Rohan Sippy
160. Arman Kohli
Arman Kohli was
born on 23 March, 1972, in Bombay. He is son of director Rajkumar Kohli, who
was born in Lahore, in 1930. He first appeared as a child artist in two films
directed by his father, Badle Ki Aag and Raaj Tilak. He made his debut as a leading actor in his father's
1992 film Virodhi. He starred in several other films in the 1990s
including Dushman Zamana, Aulad Ke
Dushman and Qahar. After a five year hiatus, he returned with the multi-starrer Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani.
Arman Kohli
161. Karan Johar
Karan Johar was born on 25 May, 1972, in Mumbai. His
father Yash Johar was born in 1929, in Lahore. He made his
debut as an actor in film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, in 1995. He has produced and directed some of the financially most
successful films of Indian cinema. His notable films are Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name Is
Khan, Dil To Pagal Hai, Duplicate. Veer Zaara,
Mohabattein, Om Shanti Om, etc. His hosted a TV programem Koffee With Karan
which was a huge success.
Karan Johar
162. Rahul Khanna
Rahul Khanna was born in 20 June, 1972, in
Mumbai. He is son of famous actor Vinod Khanna (born in 1946, in Peshawar). He
is elder brother of Akshye Khanna. He started his showbiz career in 1994 with
MTV and gained immense popularity and large fan following. Besides working in
films he has worked in TV and theatre. He also has appeared in many
endorsements.
Rahul Khanna
163. Uday Chopra
Uday Chopra was born on 5 January, 1973, in
Mumbai. He is son of famous director Yash Chopra, who was born in Lahore in
1932. He worked as an assistant director on a number of his father's and
brother's movies under the Yash Raj
Films banner. In 1994, he produced Yeh Dillagi. He
made his acting debut in the movie Mohabbatein. Chopra
has mostly done films under his father's production house. Some of his other
films are Dilwale Dulhania Lejayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kujhse Dosti Karoge, Kal
Ho Na Ho Dhoom, etc.
Uday Chopra
164. Sonu Sood *
Sonu Sood was born on July 30, 1973, in Nagupur, India. He is famous actor and appeared in many notable films. Dabangg, Yuva, Jodha Akbar, Shoot Out At Wadala, etc. Besides Hindi, he has worked in many Telegu and Tamil films as well.
I have not been able to establish his connection with Pakistan. But a reader of this blog Mr Aqeel Iqbal, informed me that in an interview Sonu mentioned that his grandfather was from Lahore. I shall appreciate if someone can give more information.
165. Hrithik Roshan
Sonu Sood was born on July 30, 1973, in Nagupur, India. He is famous actor and appeared in many notable films. Dabangg, Yuva, Jodha Akbar, Shoot Out At Wadala, etc. Besides Hindi, he has worked in many Telegu and Tamil films as well.
I have not been able to establish his connection with Pakistan. But a reader of this blog Mr Aqeel Iqbal, informed me that in an interview Sonu mentioned that his grandfather was from Lahore. I shall appreciate if someone can give more information.
Sonu Sood
165. Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik
Roshan was born on 10 January, 1974, in Mumbai. He is son of famous actor
Rakesh Roshan and grandson of famous director Roshan who was born in 1917 in
Gujranwala. His maternal grandfather J. Om Prakash, was born in Lahore in 1927.
He appeared as a child actor in many films in 80s. His first film as a leading
actor was Kaho Na Pyar Hai, released in 2000, that was a super hit movie and he
became an instant star. Later on he appeared in many more successful films and
established himself as a leading actor of Bollywood. Some of his films are
Fiza, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Koi Mil Gaya, Lakshya, Krrish, Dhoom, Jodhaa
Akbar, Guzaarish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Agneepath, etc.
Hrithik Roshan
166. Twinkle Khanna
Tina Jatin Khanna, known as Twinkle Khanna, was born on 29 December,
1974, in Pune. She is daughter of legendry actor Rajesh Khanna born in 1942 in
Burewala. Her mother Dimple Kapadia is also an accomplished actress. So is her husband
Akshy Kumar.
She made her debut in films in 1995. She left acting
after her marriage in 2001. During this time she acted in many successful
movies and earned recognition in this field. Her movies include Barsaat, Jaan,
Itihaas, International Khiladi, Zulmi, Baadshah, Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan,
Mela, Joru Ka Ghulam, Jodi No. 1, etc.
Twinkle Khanna
167. Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan was 5 February, 1976. He is
son of super star Amitabh Bachchan. His maternal grandmother Teji Bachchan was
born in Lyallpur in 12 August, 1914. In the year 2000, Bachchan began his
career with J.P. Dutta's Refugee. After a struggle of a few years, he has
established himself as a popular actor. Some of his films are Main Prem Ki
Diwani Hoon, Yuva, Bunti Aur Bubli, Sarkar, Dostana, Dhoom 3, etc.
Abhishek Bachchan
168. Akshye Khanna
Akshye Khanna was born on 28 March, 1975, in
Mumbai. He is son of famous actor Vinod Khanna, who was born in Peshawar in
1946. Like his father he too is one of the most successful actors of Bollywood.
He made his acting debut in the year 1997 with Himalay Putra and
since then has been featured in several critical and commercial acclaimed
films. Khanna has been a recipient of Filmfare
Awards twice. Some of his films are Mohabbat, Aa
Ab Laut Chalen, Taal, Dil Chahta Hai, Hulchul, Shaadi Se Pehle, Race, Mere Baap
Pehle Aap, No Problem, etc.
Akshye Khanne
169. Karisma Kapoor
Karisma Kapoor was born on 25 June, 1975, in
Bombay. She is datughter of Randhir Kapoor, son of legendery actor Raj Kpoor,
who was born in Peshawar in 1924. Her mother Babita was also a famous actress
and was a daughter of a Sindhi actor Hari
Shivadasani. She started her film in early 1990s and got an
instant fame. She was one of the most famous heroines of that decade. According
to media reports, Kapoor is one most versatile and talented actress who
appeared in the Hindi film.
During her decade long career she has done as many as 60 films and has proved
her versatility and prowess at both comedy and melodrama with equal ease. Some
of his films are Sapne Sajan Ke, Dhanwan, Muqabla, Raja Babu, Andaz, Ye
Dillagi, Judwaa, Hero No. 1, Dil To Pagal Hai, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Fiza,
Zubeida, etc.
Karisma Kapoor
170. Vivek Oberoi
He was born on 3 September,
1976, in Hyderabad. His father Suresh Oberoi was born in Quetta, in 1946. He
made his debut in films in 2002 and during the next decade he appeared in many
successful movies. He is also involved in social work. Some of his notable
movies are Company, Darna Mana Hai, Road, Saathiya, Dum, Yuba, Kyon Hogaya Na,
Kaal, Kisna, Shootout At Lokhandwala, Fool N Final, Zila Ghaziabad, Krrish,
etc.
Vivek Oberoi
171. Divya Dutta
172. Puru Rajkumar
Puru Rajkumar (born in 70s) is son of famous actor Raj Kumar who was born on 8 October, 1926, in Loralai, Balochistan. He made his film debut with the 1996 film Bal Bramhachari which was released only a few months after the death of his father. The film failed to do well at the box office. Since then he has appeared in many films without much success. Some of his films are Hamaara Dil Aap Ke Paas Hai, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Arjun Devaa, Umrao Jaan, etc.
173. Kareena Kapoor
Divya Dutta was
born on 25 September, 1977, in Ludhiana. Her mother belonged to some place in Pakistan.
I could not find exactly where, but in a recent interview she mentioned her roots
in present day Pakistan. The link is given below:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Divya-is-Pakistans-new-love/articleshow/1022691.cms
She made her debut
in 1995 and has established a successful career in Bollywoodand Punjabi cinema, but has also appeared in Malayalam and English films. She is noted for playing a wide
variety of roles in variousfilm genres, and has established herself as one of the leading actresses
of parallel cinema. She visited Pakistan in March, 2014.
Divy Dutta
172. Puru Rajkumar
Puru Rajkumar (born in 70s) is son of famous actor Raj Kumar who was born on 8 October, 1926, in Loralai, Balochistan. He made his film debut with the 1996 film Bal Bramhachari which was released only a few months after the death of his father. The film failed to do well at the box office. Since then he has appeared in many films without much success. Some of his films are Hamaara Dil Aap Ke Paas Hai, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Arjun Devaa, Umrao Jaan, etc.
Puru Rajkumar
Kareena Kapoor was born on 21 September, 1980,
in Bombay. She is datughter
of Randhir Kapoor, son of legendery actor Raj Kpoor, who was born in Peshawar
in 1924. Her mother Babita was also a famous actress and was daughter of a
Sindhi actor Hari Shivadasani.
She is among the top heroines of Bollywood. Some of her films are Refugee,
Asoka, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Ajnabee, Jab We Met, Heroine, Three Idiots,
etc.
Kareena Kapoor
174. Kushal Punjabi
Kushal Punjabi was born on 23 April, 1982, in
Mumbai. He is popular film and TV actor. Punjabi was and brought up in a
Sindhi Hindu family in Mumbai, Kushal's father is from
Karachi and mother is from Hyderabad but has been born & raised in Mumbai. (Wikipedia)
Besides films he has performed in many TV serials and reality shows. He started
his career as a dancer & model, and participated in Gladrags Manhunt Contest, in 2000. Some of his films and TV shows are
Bombay, Andaaz, Lakshya, Kaal, Salam e Ishq, Love Marriage, CID, Mr and Ms TV,
Teri Meri Love Stories, etc.
Kushal Punjabi
175. Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor was born on 28 September, 1982, in Bombay. He is son of
Rishi Kapoor and grandson of Raj Kapor, who was born in Peshawar in 1924.
Through his successful career in Bollywood films, he has become one of the highest-paid actors and one of the
most popular celebrities in India. He started his film career in early 2000s
and since then has given many hit movies. Some of his films are Saawariya,
Bachna Ae Haseeno, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Rock Star, Besharam, etc.
Ranbir Kapoor
176. Arya Babbar
Arya Babbar, was born on 24
May, 1984. He is a son of famous actor Raj Babbar, who's family belonged to
Jalalpur Jattan. His mother is Nadira Babbar. Arya is successful actor of Hindi and Punjabi
films. He is active in films since 2002 and performed well in many films. Some
of his films are Ab Ke Baras, Guru, Partition, Tees Maar Khan, Zidagi 50-50, Jatts
in Golmal, Naughty Jatts, etc.
Arya Babbar
177. Arjum Kapoor
Arjun Kapoor was born on 26 June, 1985, in
Mumbai. He is a son of Boney Kpoor. His grandfather, Surinder Kapoor, was a film producer in
Bollywood, who was born in Peshawar in 1924. He made his debut in films in 2012
and since then has appeared in about four films. All of them have been
successful. He has also earned the appreciation of critics.
Arjun Kapoor
178. Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor was
born on 9 June, 1985, in Mumbai. She is daughter of famous actor Anil Kapoor.
Her grandfather Surinder Kapoor was born in Peshawar in 1925. She made her
debut in films in 2007. Since then she has appeared in many films and achieved
a considerable success. Some of her films are Saawariya, Delhi 6, I hate Luv
Storys, Mausam, Aisha, Bombay Talkies, etc.
Sonam Kpoor
I hope you
would have found the above post interesting and even surprising. But by no
means it is complete. I am sure that there must be many other
artists in Bollywood, with roots in present day Pakistan, which I could not
find. I shall welcome any additional names and information related to this
topic. Your comments are also most welcome. However, I request you to keep them
confined to this topic.
Tariq Amir
August 27, 2014.
Doha – Qatar.
View Bollywood's Pakistan Connection in a larger map
