.gif)
Motilal (actor)
Encyclopedia
Motilal (1910–1965) was an Indian film actor and the winner of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
, twice, Devdas
(1955) and Parakh (1960). Motilal Rajvansh is credited with being among Hindi cinema’s first natural actor actors.
on December 4, 1910, Motilal came from a distinguished family from Delhi
. His father was a renowned educationist, who died when Motilal was one year old. He was brought up by his uncle who was a well-known civil surgeon in Uttar Pradesh
. At first, Moti was sent to an English school at Simla
and later, in UP
. Thereafter he shifted to Delhi where he continued with school and college.
After leaving college, Moti came to Bombay to join the Navy. But, he fell ill and was prevented from appearing for the test. But fate had other choices charted out for him. One day, he went to see a film shoot at Sagar Studios where director K. P. Ghosh was shooting. Motilal, even then, was quite the man about the town and he caught Ghosh’s eye. And, in 1934 at the age of 24, he was offered the role of the hero in Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934) at the Sagar Film Company. He was featured in many successful social dramas alongside Sabita Devi such as Dr. Madhurika (1935) and Kulvadhu (1937), and later switched to Ranjit Studios. At Ranjit, Motilal worked with Mehboob Khan's Jagirdar (1937), Hum Tum Aur Woh
(1938), Taqdeer (1943) and Kidar Sharma
's Armaan (1942), Kaliyan
(1944)). He also acted in S. S. Vasan (Gemini)'s movie "Paigham", and Raj Kapoor's "Jagte Raho". Perhaps his most famous role was that of the gentleman crook in S S Vasan’s adaptation of R K Laxman’s book Mr Sampat (1952).
He is most remembered for his role as ‘Chunni Babu’ in Bimal Roy
’s Devdas
(1955), for which he won his first Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
.
He was involved with actress Shobhana Samarth after she separated from her husband, he played the role of Samarth's real-life daughter Nutan
's father in Hamari Beti, Shobhana's launch movie for Nutan. He also played her guardian in Anari
, though this time the role had a villainous touch to it.
Though he was very suave and polished, and moved in high society, towards the end of his life he was in financial difficulty. He had a very intimate relationship with actress Nadira
. Actor, Naseeruddin Shah
once described him as one of the all time best actors of Hindi cinema, the other being Balraj Sahni
Although a thorough gentlemen, he enjoyed gambling and races, and died almost penniless in 1965.
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
, twice, Devdas
Devdas (1955 film)
Devdas is a 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.-Plot:...
(1955) and Parakh (1960). Motilal Rajvansh is credited with being among Hindi cinema’s first natural actor actors.
Early life and background
Born in SimlaShimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
on December 4, 1910, Motilal came from a distinguished family from Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. His father was a renowned educationist, who died when Motilal was one year old. He was brought up by his uncle who was a well-known civil surgeon in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. At first, Moti was sent to an English school at Simla
Shimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
and later, in UP
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. Thereafter he shifted to Delhi where he continued with school and college.
Acting career
Motilal Rajvansh said on his screen career with characteristic humour.After leaving college, Moti came to Bombay to join the Navy. But, he fell ill and was prevented from appearing for the test. But fate had other choices charted out for him. One day, he went to see a film shoot at Sagar Studios where director K. P. Ghosh was shooting. Motilal, even then, was quite the man about the town and he caught Ghosh’s eye. And, in 1934 at the age of 24, he was offered the role of the hero in Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934) at the Sagar Film Company. He was featured in many successful social dramas alongside Sabita Devi such as Dr. Madhurika (1935) and Kulvadhu (1937), and later switched to Ranjit Studios. At Ranjit, Motilal worked with Mehboob Khan's Jagirdar (1937), Hum Tum Aur Woh
Hum Tum Aur Woh
Hum Tum Aur Woh is a 1971 Bollywood drama film directed by Shiv Kumar. The film stars Vinod Khanna and Aruna Irani.-Cast:*Jalal Agha*Bharti ... Aarti*Chandrashekhar ... Vikram*Helen... Lily / Anita*Aruna Irani ... Lalita*Vinod Khanna ... Vijay...
(1938), Taqdeer (1943) and Kidar Sharma
Kidar Sharma
Kidar Nath Sharma also Kedar Sharma , was an Indian film director, producer, Screenwriter, and Lyricist of Hindi films...
's Armaan (1942), Kaliyan
Kaliyan
Kali was the sixth fragment of the primordial manifestation of Kroni according to Akilam, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and the holy book of Ayyavazhi religion. Unlike other previous manifestations, Kali spread in this yugam as maya...
(1944)). He also acted in S. S. Vasan (Gemini)'s movie "Paigham", and Raj Kapoor's "Jagte Raho". Perhaps his most famous role was that of the gentleman crook in S S Vasan’s adaptation of R K Laxman’s book Mr Sampat (1952).
He is most remembered for his role as ‘Chunni Babu’ in Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors of all time. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema...
’s Devdas
Devdas (1955 film)
Devdas is a 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.-Plot:...
(1955), for which he won his first Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
.
He was involved with actress Shobhana Samarth after she separated from her husband, he played the role of Samarth's real-life daughter Nutan
Nutan
Nutan Behl , better known as Nutan , was an Indian actress. She appeared in more than 70 Hindi films in a career spanning over four decades...
's father in Hamari Beti, Shobhana's launch movie for Nutan. He also played her guardian in Anari
Anari
Anari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
, though this time the role had a villainous touch to it.
Though he was very suave and polished, and moved in high society, towards the end of his life he was in financial difficulty. He had a very intimate relationship with actress Nadira
Nadira (actress)
-References:* Rediff.com* -External links:* . Audio podcast by Eric Molinsky discussing Nadira and other Jewish women in Indian cinema...
. Actor, Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
once described him as one of the all time best actors of Hindi cinema, the other being Balraj Sahni
Balraj Sahni
Balraj Sahni , born Yudhishthir Sahni , was a famous Hindi film actor. He belonged to a Punjabi Khatri family from Bhera now in Punjab, Pakistan...
Although a thorough gentlemen, he enjoyed gambling and races, and died almost penniless in 1965.
Actor
- Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai (1966)
- WaqtWaqt (1965 film)Waqt is a 1965 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra. It made it onto the BFI's long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award. It was produced by B.R...
(1965) - Ji Chahta Hai (1964)
- LeaderLeaderA leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
(1964) - Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar KeYeh Raaste Hain Pyaar KeYeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke is a 2001 Bollywood movie. It is a love triangle starring Ajay Devgan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta.- Synopsis :...
(1963) - Parakh (1960)
- AnariAnariAnari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
(1959) - Paigham (1959)
- Ab Dilli Dur NahinAb Dilli Dur NahinAb Dilli Dur Nahin is a 1957 Bollywood film directed by Amar Kumar and written by Rajinder Singh Bedi and Muhafiz Hyder. The film was produced by Raj Kapoor and starred Yakub, Anwar Hussain, Motilal, Nand Kishore and Jagdeep.-Plot:...
(1957) - Jagte RahoJagte RahoJagte Raho is a 1956 film directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra, produced by and starring Raj Kapoor. The film centers on the trials of a poor villager who comes to a city in search of a better life. However, the naive man soon becomes trapped in a web of middle-class greed and corruption...
(1956) - DevdasDevdas (1955 film)Devdas is a 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.-Plot:...
(1955) - Dhoon (1953)
- Ek Do Teen (1953)
- Apni Izzat (1952)
- Mr. Sampat (1952)
- Hamari Beti (1950)
- Hanste Aansoo (1950)
- Ek Thi LadkiEk Thi LadkiEk Thi Ladki was a 1949 Hindi movie by director Roop K. Shorey.This was the movie which had the famous Punjabi song "'Laara Lappa Laara Lappa Layi Rakhda" by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi. The movie starred Meena Shorey and Motilal . Other notable actors were Bharat Bhushan, I.S. Johar, Agha,...
(1949) - Lekh (1949)
- Gajre (1948)
- Mera Munna (1948)
- Do DilDo Dil-Charts:...
(1947) - Phoolwari (1946)
- DostDostDost is a 1974 Hindi film. Produced by Premji it was directed by Dulal Guha. The film stars Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Asit Sen and Rehman. The films music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal....
(1944) - MujrimMujrimMujrim is an Indian Bollywood movie released on 28 June 1989, directed by Umesh Mehra. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Madhuri Dixit, Nutan. It also stars Amrish Puri, Shakti Kapoor and Gulshan Grover in supporting roles...
(1944) - Umang (1944)
- Aage KadamAage KadamAage Kadam is 1943 Hindi-language black-and-white Movie directed by N R Acharya and starring Motilal, Anjali Devi, Mubarak, Padma, Rajkumari Shukai, Amritlal....
(1943) - Taqdeer (1943)
- Tasveer (1943)
- Armaan (1942)
- PardesiPardesiPardesi is a 1970 Bollywood drama film directed by Kundan Kumar. The film stars Mumtaz.-Cast:*Mumtaz... Myna*Biswajeet ... Pardesi / Ajay*Lata Bose ... Rekha *Brahmachari ... Devdas*Sulochana Chatterjee...
(1941) - Sasural (1941)
- AchhutAchhutAchhut is a 1940 Indian Bollywood film. It was the third highest grossing Indian film of 1940....
(1940/I) - AchhutAchhutAchhut is a 1940 Indian Bollywood film. It was the third highest grossing Indian film of 1940....
(1940/II) - HoliHoliHoli , is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United...
(1940) - Aap Ki Marzi (1939)
- Sach Hai (1939)
- Hum Tum Aur WohHum Tum Aur WohHum Tum Aur Woh is a 1971 Bollywood drama film directed by Shiv Kumar. The film stars Vinod Khanna and Aruna Irani.-Cast:*Jalal Agha*Bharti ... Aarti*Chandrashekhar ... Vikram*Helen... Lily / Anita*Aruna Irani ... Lalita*Vinod Khanna ... Vijay...
(1938) - Teen Sau Din Ke Baad (1938)
- Captain Kirti Kumar (1937)
- Jagirdar (1937)
- Be Kharab Jan (1936)
- Dilawar (1936)
- Do Diwane (1936)
- Lagna Bandhan (1936)
- Do Ghadi Ki Mauj (1935)
- Dr. Madhurika (1935)
- Silver King (1935)
- Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934)
- Vatan Parasta (1934)
External links
- http://www.3to6.com/final_retro/legend-motilal.htm