Ashok Kumar
Encyclopedia
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an India
n film
actor
. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur
, Bengal Presidency
he attained iconic status in Indian cinema. The Government of India
honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
and the Padma Bhushan
in 1998 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
family. His family was based in Khandwa
, Madhya Pradesh
. His brothers Anoop Kumar
and Kishore Kumar
also acted in films. The three brothers worked together in the comedies Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
, Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi
and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi. Ashok, though the eldest of the three by quite a margin, survived them both. In fact, he stopped celebrating his birthday after the youngest brother, Kishore, died on that day in 1987. His sister, Sati Devi, was married to Sashadhar Mukherjee
of the Mukherjee-Samarth family
.
Ashok Kumar married Shobha. They had a troubled marriage due to his wife being an alcoholic.
and educated at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta
, Kolkata). He started his career in Bombay (Mumbai
), albeit accidentally, with the Bombay Talkies
production Jeevan Naiya
in 1936. The male lead, Najam-ul-Hussain, went absconding with the heroine Devika Rani
, the director's wife who returned later on. The director and studio head, Himanshu Rai
, in retaliation dismissed the hero and called upon his laboratory assistant Ashok Kumar to take the part and thus began a six-decade-long acting career. However, it was his subsequent venture with Devika Rani
in Achhut Kanya
in the same year that set him up for the big league. The movie itself stands out as one of the heralding social dramas of pre-independence Indian film. It was the story of a Brahmin
boy falling in love with a girl from the so-called untouchables in Indian society
. It was a big hit and started the trend of socially committed films.
Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar did a string of films after this including Izzat (1937), Savitri (1937) and Nirmala (1938). But she was the bigger star and Ashok Kumar was definitely in her shadow. He came into his own with three films opposite Leela Chitnis
: Kangan (1939), Bandhan (1940), Jhoola
(1941), singing his own songs as was the custom then. He came away with several hits including most famously Main Ban ka Panchhi.
He was one of the first anti-heroes of Indian Cinema
with his role in Kismet
in 1943. This movie went on to create a record for the highest grossing film in India at the time of its release.
He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including the famous Mahal
in 1949 in which he co-starred with Madhubala
. In the 1950s, he played the suave cigarette-smoking criminal or police officer in several films of what was the Indian film-noir movement. In the late 1960s he switched to character roles playing the parent, grandparent, dirty old man and suave criminal, being careful never to be typecast. He paired up 20 times with the 'queen of tragedy' Meena Kumari
, in films such as Parineeta
, Bahu Begum, Pakeezah
, Ek Hi Raasta
, Bandish and Aarti
.
Hum Log and appearing as the title character in the unforgettable Bahadur Shah Zafar. His last film role was in Aankhon Mein Tum Ho in 1997. Besides acting, he was an avid painter and a practitioner of homeopathy
. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.
Ashok Kumar died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur
. The then Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors."
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
, Bengal Presidency
Bengal Presidency
The Bengal Presidency originally comprising east and west Bengal, was a colonial region of the British Empire in South-Asia and beyond it. It comprised areas which are now within Bangladesh, and the present day Indian States of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Orissa and Tripura.Penang and...
he attained iconic status in Indian cinema. The Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
and the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1998 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Family
His father Kunjalal Ganguly was a lawyer and his mother Gouri Devi came from a wealthy BengaliBengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
family. His family was based in Khandwa
Khandwa
Khandwa is a town in the Nimaad region of Madhya Pradesh, an Administrative State in central India. It is the administrative headquarters of Khandwa District, formerly known as East Nimar District.Khandwa is an ancient town, with many places of worship, like many other towns in India...
, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. His brothers Anoop Kumar
Anoop Kumar
Anoop Kumar , born Kalyan Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film actor who appeared in over seventy-five Bollywood films.-Personal life:Kalyan was born into a Hindu family in Khandwa, Central Provinces and Berar . His father Kunjalal Ganguly was a lawyer and his mother Gouri Devi came from a wealthy...
and Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
also acted in films. The three brothers worked together in the comedies Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is a famous 1958 Bollywood comedy. The film featured Kishore Kumar, his two brothers Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar, and Madhubala. Kishore Kumar sang many of the songs in the film, along with Asha Bhosle. The music was composed by SD Burman, and the lyrics were written by...
, Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi
Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi
Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi is a 1974 Bollywood drama film directed by Kishore Kumar. The name is similar to a previous Kishore Kumar film Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi.-Cast:*I.S...
and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi. Ashok, though the eldest of the three by quite a margin, survived them both. In fact, he stopped celebrating his birthday after the youngest brother, Kishore, died on that day in 1987. His sister, Sati Devi, was married to Sashadhar Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee was a producer in Hindi films. He is part of the distinguished Mukherjee clan of Bollywood.Main article: Mukherjee-Samarth family...
of the Mukherjee-Samarth family
Mukherjee-Samarth family (film)
The Mukherjee-Samarth family is a Bengali-Marathi family that has been involved in the Indian Bollywood film industry since the 1930s, Shobhana Samarth having first acted in a film in 1935...
.
Ashok Kumar married Shobha. They had a troubled marriage due to his wife being an alcoholic.
Early career
Reverently called Dadamoni (affectionate term for elder brother), he was born in BhagalpurBhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
and educated at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta
Presidency College, Kolkata
Presidency University, Kolkata, formerly Hindu College and Presidency College, is a unitary, state aided university, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. and one of the premier institutes of learning of liberal arts and sciences in India. In 2002 it was ranked number one by the weekly news magazine...
, Kolkata). He started his career in Bombay (Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
), albeit accidentally, with the Bombay Talkies
Bombay Talkies
The Bombay Talkies Limited was a movie studio produced 102 movies, founded in 1934 in Malad, Bombay , India, by Himanshu Rai, Rajnarayan Dube and Devika Rani along with businessmen like F. E...
production Jeevan Naiya
Jeevan Naiya
Jeevan Naiya is a 1936 film famous for being the first screen appearance and launch pad of early superstar Ashok Kumar, the film is about the ostracism of dancing girls. The film was one of several successful Bombay Talkies collaborations between Franz Osten, Niranjan Pal, Himanshu Rai, and their...
in 1936. The male lead, Najam-ul-Hussain, went absconding with the heroine Devika Rani
Devika Rani
Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich was an early Indian movie star.- Career :Born in Waltair , Devika Rani came from a distinguished background: she was the great-grandniece of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and her father, Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, was the first Indian Surgeon-General of Madras...
, the director's wife who returned later on. The director and studio head, Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Roy , one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, is best known as the founder of the Bombay Talkies in 1934. He was associated with a number of movies, including Goddess , The Light of Asia , Siraj , A Throw of Dice , and Karma .He was married to actress Devika Rani.-Bombay Talkies:He was...
, in retaliation dismissed the hero and called upon his laboratory assistant Ashok Kumar to take the part and thus began a six-decade-long acting career. However, it was his subsequent venture with Devika Rani
Devika Rani
Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich was an early Indian movie star.- Career :Born in Waltair , Devika Rani came from a distinguished background: she was the great-grandniece of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and her father, Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, was the first Indian Surgeon-General of Madras...
in Achhut Kanya
Achhut Kanya
Achhoot Kanya is a 1936 Hindi film. Among the early super-hits in the Bombay film industry, the film deals with the social position of Dalit girls and is considered a reformist period-piece.The film was one of several successful Bombay Talkies collaborations between Franz Osten, Niranjan Pal,...
in the same year that set him up for the big league. The movie itself stands out as one of the heralding social dramas of pre-independence Indian film. It was the story of a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
boy falling in love with a girl from the so-called untouchables in Indian society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
. It was a big hit and started the trend of socially committed films.
Leela Chitnis
Leela Chitnis was an early actress in the Indian film industry.-Early life:She was born in Dharwar, Karnataka to an English professor. She was one of the first educated film actresses...
: Kangan (1939), Bandhan (1940), Jhoola
Jhoola
Jhoola is a 1941 Indian Bollywood film. It was the fourth highest grossing Indian film of 1941....
(1941), singing his own songs as was the custom then. He came away with several hits including most famously Main Ban ka Panchhi.
He was one of the first anti-heroes of Indian Cinema
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
with his role in Kismet
Kismet (1943 film)
Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani and Sashadhar Mukherjee after owner Himanshu Rai's death...
in 1943. This movie went on to create a record for the highest grossing film in India at the time of its release.
He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including the famous Mahal
Mahal (1949 film)
Mahal is a 1949 Indian Hindi film directed by Kamal Amrohi and starring Ashok Kumar and Madhubala....
in 1949 in which he co-starred with Madhubala
Madhubala
Mumtaz Jahan Begum Dehlavi, known by her stage name Madhubala was a Hindi movie actress. She starred in several successful movies in the 1950s and early 1960s, many of which have attained a classic status...
. In the 1950s, he played the suave cigarette-smoking criminal or police officer in several films of what was the Indian film-noir movement. In the late 1960s he switched to character roles playing the parent, grandparent, dirty old man and suave criminal, being careful never to be typecast. He paired up 20 times with the 'queen of tragedy' Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari , born Mahjabeen Bano, was an Indian movie actress and poetess. She is regarded as one of the most prominent actresses to have appeared on the screens of Hindi Cinema...
, in films such as Parineeta
Parineeta (1953 film)
Parineeta is a 1953 film based upon the 1914 novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The film was directed by Bimal Roy. This version of the film is considered by many to be the most faithful adaptation of the novella, particularly due to Meena Kumari's interpretation of the role of...
, Bahu Begum, Pakeezah
Pakeezah
Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...
, Ek Hi Raasta
Ek Hi Raasta
Ek Hi Raasta may refer to several Bollywood motion pictures:*Ek Hi Raasta *Ek Hi Raasta *Ek Hi Raasta *Ek Hi Raasta...
, Bandish and Aarti
Aarti (film)
Aarti is a 1962 Indian Bollywood film directed by Phani Majumdar and produced by Tarachand Barjatya. The film stars Meena Kumari in the title role of Aarti, with Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and Shashikala appearing in pivotal roles...
.
Later career and death
He acted in fewer films in the 1980s and 1990s and occasionally appeared on television, most famously anchoring the first Indian soap operaSoap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Hum Log and appearing as the title character in the unforgettable Bahadur Shah Zafar. His last film role was in Aankhon Mein Tum Ho in 1997. Besides acting, he was an avid painter and a practitioner of homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.
Ashok Kumar died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur
Chembur
Chembur is a suburban neighbourhood in eastern Mumbai, India. It is 22 km from downtown Mumbai and 20 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport...
. The then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
Atal Behari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors."
Awards and recognition
- 1959 - Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
- 1962 - Filmfare Best Actor AwardFilmfare Best Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best 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 leading role. The award was first given in 1954....
, RakhiRakhiRaksha Bandhan , , , or Rakhi , is a festival primarily observed in India, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in certain parts of India, like the south. The festival is observed by Hindus and Jains... - 1963 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi)Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi)The Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards is the oldest Association of Film critics in India, founded in 1937. Frequent winners include Rajesh Khanna , Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan ....
, Gumrah - 1966 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe 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...
, AfsanaAfsanaAfsana may refer to:* A style of short story in Urdu literature*Afsana - a 1951 Bollywood film directed by Baldev Raj Chopra... - 1969 - Filmfare Best Actor AwardFilmfare Best Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best 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 leading role. The award was first given in 1954....
, Aashirwaad - 1969 - National Film Awards for Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
, Aashirwaad - 1969 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi)Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award (Hindi)The Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards is the oldest Association of Film critics in India, founded in 1937. Frequent winners include Rajesh Khanna , Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan ....
, Aashirwaad - 1988 - Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDadasaheb Phalke AwardThe Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
, India's highest award for cinematic excellence - 1994 - Star Screen Lifetime Achievement AwardStar Screen Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award is an Indian cinema prize. Each year the recipient is chosen by a panel of judges, and the winner is announced in January.-Winners:...
- 1995 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement AwardFilmfare Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, initially named Raj Kapoor Award for Lifetime Achievement after Raj Kapoor is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films....
- 1998 - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
- 2001 - Awadh SammanAwadh SammanThe Awadh Samman is an award constituted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, to honor exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession...
by the Government of Uttar PradeshGovernment of Uttar PradeshThe Government of Uttar Pradesh is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh who is appointed for a period of five years, appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers... - 2007 - "Special Award" by Star Screen Awards
Filmography
Some of his most remembered films include:- Achhut KanyaAchhut KanyaAchhoot Kanya is a 1936 Hindi film. Among the early super-hits in the Bombay film industry, the film deals with the social position of Dalit girls and is considered a reformist period-piece.The film was one of several successful Bombay Talkies collaborations between Franz Osten, Niranjan Pal,...
(1936) - KismetKismet (1943 film)Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani and Sashadhar Mukherjee after owner Himanshu Rai's death...
(1943) - ParineetaParineeta (1953 film)Parineeta is a 1953 film based upon the 1914 novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The film was directed by Bimal Roy. This version of the film is considered by many to be the most faithful adaptation of the novella, particularly due to Meena Kumari's interpretation of the role of...
(1953) - Chalti Ka Naam GaadiChalti Ka Naam GaadiChalti Ka Naam Gaadi is a famous 1958 Bollywood comedy. The film featured Kishore Kumar, his two brothers Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar, and Madhubala. Kishore Kumar sang many of the songs in the film, along with Asha Bhosle. The music was composed by SD Burman, and the lyrics were written by...
(1958) - Hatey BazareyHatey BazareyHatey Bazarey or Hate Bazare is a 1967 award winning art film by noted Bengali director Tapan Sinha and produced Asim Dutta, the story revolves around the conflict of good and evil...
(1967) - AashirwadAashirwadAashirwad is a 1968 Bollywood film. Produced by N.C. Sippy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, it is directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar....
(1968) - Choti Si Baat (1975)
- MiliMili (film)Mili is a 1975 Bollywood romantic drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Ashok Kumar. Jaya Bachchan received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress, the only nomination for the film...
(1975) - Khoobsurat (1980)
- Khatta MeethaKhatta MeethaKhatta Meetha is a 1978 Hindi movie directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Bindiya Goswami, Pearl Padamsee, David Abraham Cheulkar, Ranjit Chowdhry, Preeti Ganguly, Deven Verma, Pradeep Kumar and Iftekhar. The films music is by Rajesh Roshan...
(1981) - Mr. India (1987)