Balraj Sahni Biography: Balraj Sahni (born Yudhishthir Sahni; 1 May 1913 – 13 April 1973) was an Indian stage and film actor best known for his roles in Dharti Ke Lal (1946), Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Chhoti Bahen (1959), Kabuliwala (1961), and Garam Hawa (1973). He was the sibling of renowned Hindi author, playwright, and actor Bhisham Sahni.
Balraj Sahni Biography: Death Anniversary
| Full name | Balraj Sahni |
| Nationality | India |
| Birth date | May 1, 1913 |
| Death | 13 April 1973 |
| Place of Death | Bombay |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Profession | Actor, Writer |
Balraj Sahni Early years
Sahni was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India on May 1, 1913. He received his education from Government College (Lahore) and Gordon College. After receiving his master’s degree in English Literature from Lahore, he returned to Rawalpindi to join the family enterprise. In addition, he possessed a Bachelor of Arts in Hindi. Immediately after, he wed Damayanti Sahni.
Sahni and his wife left Rawalpindi in the late 1930s to teach English and Hindi at Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan, Bengal. Their son Parikshit Sahni was born here while his wife Damayanti pursued her bachelor’s degree. In 1938, he worked with Mahatma Gandhi for one year. The following year, Sahni travelled to England with Gandhi’s consent to join the BBC-London’s Hindi service as a radio announcer. He returned to India in 1943, and his 26-year-old wife passed away in 1947. He remarried the writer Santosh Chandhok in 1951, and they remained married until his demise in 1973. Sahni worked alongside George Orwell at the BBC.
Balraj Sahni Career
Sahni was always interested in acting and began his career with Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) productions. His wife Damayanti became well-known as an IPTA actress well before Sahni made his mark in the film industry. In 1946, he began his cinema career in Bombay with the film Insaaf, which was followed by KA Abbas’s Dharti Ke Lal, Damayanti’s debut film Door Chalein, and other films. But it wasn’t until 1953, with Bimal Roy’s classic Do Bigha Zamin, that his true acting prowess was acknowledged. At the Cannes Film Festival, the film garnered an international prize.
Tagore’s 1961 classic Kabuliwala provided him with a second opportunity to shine.
Damayanti, Sahni’s wife and the star of his 1947 film Gudia passed away at a tender age in the same year. Two years later, he married his first cousin, the author and television writer Santosh Chandhok.
He acted opposite heroines such as Padmini, Nutan, Meena Kumari, Vyjayanthimala and Nargis in films such as Bindya, Seema (1955), Sone Ki Chidiya (1958), Sutta Bazaar (1959), Bhabhi Ki Chudiyaan (1961), Kathputli (1957), Lajwanti (1958) and Ghar Sansaar (1958). His supporting roles in Neelkamal, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Do Raaste, and Ek Phool Do Mali were well received. Nevertheless, he is likely best remembered by the current generation for his picturization of the legendary melody “Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen” from the 1965 film Waqt. In the number, Sahni appeared opposite Achala Sachdev.
Balraj Sahni Personal Life
Balraj Sahni was an Indian film and stage actor, born on May 1, 1913, in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan). He was married to Damayanti Sahni, with whom he had two sons, Parikshit and Ajit.
Sahni completed his studies in Lahore and then moved to Shantiniketan, where he studied at Vishva Bharati University. After completing his studies, he worked as a teacher and a journalist before entering the film industry.
Sahni was deeply involved in India’s independence movement and was associated with the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). He was also a prolific writer and wrote several books, including “Mera Rusi Safarnama” and “Punjabi Kavita.”
Sahni passed away on April 13, 1973, at the age of 59, due to a massive cardiac arrest while shooting for the film “Aurat” in Mumbai.
Awards
Balraj Sahni was a highly respected actor in the Indian film industry, known for his exceptional talent and versatility. He received several awards and honours for his contribution to Indian cinema, including:
- National Film Award for Best Actor: Balraj Sahni won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in the film “Do Bigha Zamin” in 1954.
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor: Sahni received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film “Gharana” in 1961.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award: In recognition of his contribution to Indian theatre, Sahni was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968.
- Padma Shri: Balraj Sahni was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in 1969.
- Soviet Land Nehru Award: In 1972, Sahni received the Soviet Land Nehru Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
These awards and honours are a testament to Balraj Sahni’s exceptional talent and his invaluable contribution to Indian cinema and theatre.
Famous movies:
In fact, Balraj Sahni specialised in completely identifying with his characters. His notable films include ‘Do Bigha Zameen’, ‘Garam Hawa’, ‘Kabuli Wala’, ‘Lajwanti’, ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Dharti Ke Lal’, ‘Waqt’, and ‘Do Raaste’.
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