Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Born January 01, 1910 (Age: 116)
•
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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
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
Read more
Filmography
Daku Aur Jawan
1978
•
as
•
Age: 68
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
1977
•
as
•
Age: 67
No Image
Duniyadari
1977
•
as Mevalal Sahukar
•
Age: 67
No Image
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
1970
•
as Kundanlal
•
Age: 60
Chirag
1969
•
as
•
Age: 59
Meri Bhabhi
1969
•
as
•
Age: 59
Doli
1969
•
as
•
Age: 59
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
1969
•
as
•
Age: 59
Bandhan
1969
•
as
•
Age: 59
Noor Mahal
1965
•
as
•
Age: 55
Bharosa
1963
•
as Raunaklal
•
Age: 53
Gunga Jumna
1961
•
as Kallu
•
Age: 51
Gharana
1961
•
as
•
Age: 51
Ghunghat
1960
•
as
•
Age: 50
Sahara
1958
•
as Chaudhary Gaman Singh
•
Age: 48
Naata
1955
•
as
•
Age: 45
Neelam
1945
•
as
•
Age: 35
Shri Krishnarjun Yudh
1945
•
as Narad
•
Age: 35
Nai Roshni
1941
•
as Mohan
•
Age: 31
Radhika
1941
•
as Mohant
•
Age: 31
Aasra
1941
•
as Ticket Examiner
•
Age: 31