Balraj Sahni (1913-1973) was a famous Indian film actor and writer, known for his roles in “Dharti ke Lal” (1946), “Hum Log” (1951), “Do Bigha Zameen” (1953), Sutta Bazaar (1959), Kabuliwala (1959) and other films. 1961), Neel Kamal (1968), Do Rasit (1969) and Garam Hawa (1973). Balraj Sahni died of a heart attack on April 13, 1973 at the age of 59.
Wiki/Biography
Balraj Sahni was born Yudhishthir Sahni on Thursday, May 1, 1913, in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India (now Pakistan) (59 years old; at the time of death). His zodiac sign is Taurus. Initially, he started schooling from Arya Samaj Gurukul. But he was later admitted to DAV after protesting to his father about the poor quality of education in Gurukul. He pursued his MA in English from Government College University, Lahore. He is also an alumnus of Government Gordon College, Rawalpindi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Hindi.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Hair color: white
Eye color: black
family
Balraj Sahni was born into a family of Arya Samaj followers.
Parents and siblings
Balraj Sahni’s father’s name was Harbans Lal Sahni. He is an import businessman. Balraj Sahni’s mother Lakshmi Devi is a housewife.
Balraj Sahni has a brother Bhisham Sahni who is a famous writer, playwright and actor.
Balraj Sahni (right) and Bhisham Sahni (left)
wife and children
Balaji Sahni was married twice. His first wife Damayanti Sahni was an actress and social activist. Unfortunately, she died in 1947 at the age of 28.
Balraj Sahni and wife Damayanti Sahni
After the death of his first wife, Balraj Sahni married his second cousin, writer Santosh Chandhok, in 1949.
Balraj Sahni and his second wife Santosh Chandhok
Balraj Sahni has three children, namely Parikshit Sahni, a famous Bollywood actor, and Shabnam Sahni from Damayanti. He became the father of Sanob from Santosh.
Balraj Sahni and his children
Religion/Religious Views
Although Balaji Sahni was born into a family that was a staunch follower of Arya Samaj, he was not religious. His son Parikshit Sahni discussed his views on religion in an interview and stated:
He hates religion. In his book Mera Drishitikon, he urged readers to be wary of clerics, pundits and mullahs. They are the ones who cause war in the world he writes about. “
Signature/Autograph
Balraj Sahni signed for Deepti Naval
Profession
In 1934, after completing his master’s degree, Balraj Sahni started working in his father’s import business. In 1937, he traveled to Lahore and briefly dabbled in journalism, publishing a newspaper called The Monday Morning. This proved to be a terrible mistake and he soon left for Calcutta with his wife Damyanti. After completing his master’s degree, he often wrote short stories. In Calcutta, he began writing more frequently. His brother Bhisham Sahni described his activities in Calcutta in his book Balraj My Brother,
He started writing humorous pieces for a weekly illustrated magazine called Sachitra Bharat, for which he earned only four rupees per article. His interesting children’s story “Dhapor Shankh” was written at that time. “
Not making enough money from writing, the couple then moved to Santiniketan, where Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore lived, and became a Hindi teacher. In 1939, with Gandhi’s blessing, he went to England and became a Hindi broadcaster for the BBC. He returned to India in 1943 and soon joined IPTA (Indian People’s Theater Association) and started working in theatre. In 1946, he began working in films.
Movie
Baraj Sahni has acted in many Hindi films. He starred in an Assamese film called “Era Bator Sur” (1956).
Poster of the movie “Batosur of Time”
He also starred in two Punjabi films, Satluj De Kandhe (1964) and a blockbuster film, Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970), which won the National Film Award for Best Punjabi Feature Film.
Balraj Sahni in the stills of Satluj De Kandhe
hindi movies
In 1946, he played a small role in the film “Insaf”. In the same year, he also shot “Door Chalen”, “Badnami” and “Dharti Ke Lal”. Dadi Kral has been praised by critics around the world for her strong and realistic portrayal of famine-stricken Bengal.
Balraj Sahni in Insaf stills
In 1951, he played Raj in Hum Log, which received positive reviews from critics. In the same year, he also played Jailor in the movie “Hulchul”. Ironically, he was imprisoned for communist activities in real life and was only allowed out when filming scenes, having to return to prison after filming.
Movie “Hulchul” poster
Balraj Sahni’s career breakthrough role came in 1953 when he played Shambhu Maheto in Do Bigha Zameen. It was the first film to win the Filmfare Best Picture Award and the first Indian film to win the International Award at the Cannes Film Festival. To prepare for his role, he learned to pull a rickshaw at a rickshaw union. On the set, he met a coachman whose story was similar to that of the film’s protagonist. The incident gave him confidence and enthusiasm and helped him settle into the role. He wrote about this incident in his autobiography,
As I sat in my rickshaw, feeling lonely and depressed, a middle-aged rickshaw driver approached me. He has been watching our Tamasha from afar. Had it not been for his failing health, he might have been one of the Jogeshwari Bhayyas. His sickly, pockmarked face had taken on the gray of several days, and his teeth stood out yellow. He wanted to know what was going on. I told him we were making a movie.
“Did you act in that movie?”
‘Yes. ‘
“What?”
I thought if I talked to this guy it would distract me and help me get out of my gloomy mood. I started telling him the story of the film as Hrishikesh Mukherjee had told me before. Now it was his turn to cry. However, his tears were more “real” than mine because he was hearing his own life story! He also did bigha zamin in a village in Bihar that had been mortgaged to a zamindar for fifteen years. For years, he had been pulling a rickshaw on the streets of Calcutta, hoping that one day he would save enough money to take back his land. But now he had given up all hope of ever seeing his land again. After telling me these details of his life, he sighed deeply and walked away saying, “Yes, Meri Kahani Hai Babu, yes, Meri Kahani Hai! ” These simple words touched a chord deep within me. To hell with Sisir Bhaduri and Dilip Kumar’s acting theories. That poor, miserable and meek farmer, the life that I should have portrayed on the screen appeared out of thin air and stood in front of me in flesh and blood. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I should thank my stars for it. I suddenly felt that this role was a challenge to my acting skills and a responsibility that I had to do my best to fulfill. No matter what happens, I can’t escape. I told myself that was just cowardice and a sin. “
Balraj Sahni in Do Bigha Zameen stills
In 1954, Balraj Sahni played the role of Surajmal in the film Bazooband. In the same year, he also starred in another memorable film, Aulaad. His son Parikshit Sahni had accompanied him to the sets of Aurad, where he witnessed first-hand his father’s dedication to his craft. He recalled the incident in an interview and said:
I once accompanied him on the filming of Aulad (1954). In the scene, the father is holding the door of the host’s house and begging his children, “Malik mujhe mera bachcha toh de do!” When the scene ends, everyone applauds and declares to pack their bags. On the way back to the car, Dad said he wasn’t happy with the photo. He drove back and told director Mohan Siegel that he wanted to reshoot it. Mohanji felt it was not necessary. Dad gave him an ultimatum that if he wasn’t allowed to do it, he wouldn’t report the crime. Studios reopened. The lights came on again. Dad retook the exam. But this time no one applauded. Because they all cried. That shot was amazing. Later, Dad explained, “I wanted to feel what it was like to shoot. I wanted to relive what it was like when your mother died.”
In 1955, he played the role of Laxman in the film Tangewali. In the same year, he played the role of Ashok ‘Babuji’ in ‘Seema’ and Girdharilal ‘Girdhari’ in ‘Garam Coat’.
Balraj Sahni’s Garam Coat Stills
In 1957, he played the role of Sakharam in the film Pardesi. This is an Indo-Soviet co-production directed by Indian director Khwaja Ahmed Abbas and Russian director Vasily Pronin. In the same year, he played Chandan in the comedy film “Mai Baap”.
Balraj Sahni in Mai Baap poster
In 1958, he played Nirmal Kumar in “Lajwanti”, starring Nargis in the lead role. The film won the Indian National Film Award for Best Feature Film. In 1958, he played the role of Kailash in the film Ghar Sansar. In 1959, he played Mr. Kapoor in the film Chand. In the same year, he played the role of Rajendra in “Chhoti Bahen”.
Balraj Sahni in Lajwanti poster
In 1960, he starred in the movie “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere” as Panchu Dada. In the same year, he also starred in two other films, “Bindya” as Devraj and “Anuradha” as Dr. Nirmal Chaudhary. In 1961, he played the role of Shyam in the film Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan. In the same year, he also played the role of Abdul Rahman Khan in the critically acclaimed Kabuliwala.
Balraj Sahni in Kabul Wala stills
In 1962, he played Ratan in “Shaadi” and Chaudhary Shambhunath in “Anpadh”. In 1964, he played Major Ranjit Singh in the film Haqeeqat. In 1965, he guest-starred as Andhe Baba/Fakir in Dak Ghar. In the same year, he played the role of Lala Kedarnath Prasanta in the critically acclaimed film Waqt. He immortalized the song “Ae Meri Zohrajabeen” from the movie with his brilliant performance.
Balraj Sahni performs Ae Meri Zohrajabeen in Waqt
In 1968, he played Mr. Raichand in Neel Kamal. In the same year, he played the role of Ganeshi Prasad in the movie Sunghursh. In 1969, he played Kailashnath Kaushal in the blockbuster film “Ek Phool Do Mali” and was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1970, he played Shankarnath in the film Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani.
Balraj Sahni in Neel Kamal stills
In 1973, he played Salim Mirza in the movie Garam Hawa. The film won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best National Integration Feature Film and three Filmfare Awards. In 1977, he played the role of Suresh in “Amaanat”.
Balraj Sahni in Garm Hawa stills
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education