Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Kanhaiyalal was born in Varanasi into a theatrical family. His father, Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, owned a drama company but disapproved of his son’s interest in acting. Undeterred, Kanhaiyalal began working backstage and gradually transitioned into small stage roles. After his father's death, he moved to Bombay to pursue a career in cinema—initially aspiring to become a writer and director. However, fate had other plans, and he made his screen debut as an extra in Sagar Ka Sher. He rose to national and international fame for his iconic portrayal of the scheming moneylender Sukhilala in Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), one of Indian cinema’s most legendary villains. He had originally played the same role in Aurat (1940), making him the first Indian actor to reprise a character in a remake 17 years later. Mother India also earned the distinction of being India’s first official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best International Feature Film—cementing Kanhaiyalal’s performance in global film history. Known for his mastery of negative and elderly roles, Kanhaiyalal acted in over 100 films including Ganga Jamuna, Upkar, Apna Desh, Dushman, and Grahasti. He also wrote dialogues and lyrics for films like Sadhana. His cinematic legacy lives on through the 2022 documentary Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, produced by his daughter Hemaa Singh. TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad
Known For
Credits
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav
- 1980 · Sitara as
- 1978 · Daku Aur Jawan as
- 1978 · Satyam Shivam Sundaram as Pandit Shyam Sunder
- 1977 · Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein as
- 1977 · Jadu Tona as
- 1977 · Duniyadari as Mevalal Sahukar
- 1974 · Dost as Gadibabu
- 1973 · Heera as Dhaniram
- 1972 · Apna Desh as Sevaram
- 1971 · Banphool as Muninji
- 1970 · Jeevan Mrityu as Jagat Narayan
- 1970 · Samaj Ko Badal Dalo as Kundanlal
- 1969 · Chirag as
- 1969 · Meri Bhabhi as
- 1969 · Bandhan as
- 1969 · Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke as
- 1969 · Doli as
- 1967 · Aurat as
- 1967 · Upkar as
- 1967 · Ram Aur Shyam as
- 1967 · Diwana as Kaka
- 1967 · Dulhan Ek Raat Ki as
- 1966 · Biradari as Rammurthy 'Dudhwala'
- 1966 · Gaban as
- 1966 · Daadi Maa as
- 1965 · Oonche Log as Master Gunichand
- 1965 · Himalay Ki Godmein as Ghoghar Baba
- 1965 · Rishte Naate as
- 1965 · Noor Mahal as
- 1964 · Zindagi as
- 1963 · Bharosa as Raunaklal
- 1963 · Grahasti as Station Master Ram Swarup
- 1963 · Meri Surat Teri Ankhen as Rahmat
- 1962 · Son of India as Paro's dad
- 1961 · Gunga Jumna as Kallu
- 1960 · The Test as Pandit Tarkalankar
- 1960 · Ghunghat as
- 1958 · Sahara as Chaudhary Gaman Singh
- 1957 · Mother India as Sukhilala
- 1955 · Naata as
- 1954 · Naukari as Hari
- 1954 · Bahut Din Hue as Pujari
- 1952 · Mr. Sampat as Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala
- 1952 · Daag as
- 1951 · Hum Log as Lalaji / Haricharandas
- 1949 · Jeet as Thakur Kalyan Singh
- 1945 · Shri Krishnarjun Yudh as Narad
- 1945 · Ramayani as
- 1944 · Lal Haveli as Chacha
- 1944 · Gaali as
- 1944 · Dost as Lobhi Chand
- 1941 · Nai Roshni as Mohan
- 1941 · Radhika as Mohant
- 1941 · Aasra as Ticket Examiner
- 1940 · Aurat as Sukhilala
- 1938 · Gramophone Singer as