Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi

Personal Info

Known For:
Acting

Birthday:
January 1, 1910

Place of Birth:
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Social Media

Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi

Biography

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

Filmography

Year Movie Role
1980 Hum Paanch Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav
1980 Sitara
1978 Satyam Shivam Sundaram Pandit Shyam Sunder
1978 Daku Aur Jawan
1977 Duniyadari Mevalal Sahukar
1977 Jadu Tona
1977 Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
1974 Dost Gadibabu
1973 Heera Dhaniram
1972 Apna Desh Sevaram
1971 Banphool Muninji
1970 Samaj Ko Badal Dalo Kundanlal
1970 Jeevan Mrityu Jagat Narayan
1969 Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
1969 Bandhan
1969 Chirag
1969 Doli
1969 Meri Bhabhi
1967 Ram Aur Shyam
1967 Diwana Kaka
1967 Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
1967 Aurat
1967 Upkar
1966 Gaban
1966 Biradari Rammurthy 'Dudhwala'
1966 Daadi Maa
1965 Oonche Log Master Gunichand
1965 Noor Mahal
1965 Himalay Ki Godmein Ghoghar Baba
1965 Rishte Naate
1964 Zindagi
1963 Grahasti Station Master Ram Swarup
1963 Meri Surat Teri Ankhen Rahmat
1963 Bharosa Raunaklal
1962 Son of India Paro's dad
1961 Gunga Jumna Kallu
1960 The Test Pandit Tarkalankar
1960 Ghunghat
1958 Sahara Chaudhary Gaman Singh
1957 Mother India Sukhilala
1955 Naata
1954 Naukari Hari
1954 Bahut Din Hue Pujari
1952 Daag
1952 Mr. Sampat Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala
1951 Hum Log Lalaji / Haricharandas
1949 Jeet Thakur Kalyan Singh
1945 Ramayani
1945 Shri Krishnarjun Yudh Narad
1944 Lal Haveli Chacha
1944 Dost Lobhi Chand
1944 Gaali
1941 Nai Roshni Mohan
1941 Aasra Ticket Examiner
1941 Radhika Mohant
1940 Aurat Sukhilala
Year TV Show Role
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