BALRAJ SAHNI -A Journey from Shanti Niketan To Bollywood

Balraj Sahni had a Master’s degree in English literature and a Bachelor's degree in Hindi literature from Punjab University. He also taught for a while, along with wife Damayanti, at Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan in West Bengal before he became an actor. He also worked with BBC's Hindi wing and covered World War II in Europe. This stint brought him in touch with personalities such as George Orwell, TS Eliot, Sir John Gielgud and Sir Laurence Olivier.
He redefined the grammar of acting in Indian cinema. His natural portrayal of characters is a lesson for students of the art even now. Yet, the man was much more than simply an actor.He was the first Method Actor of Bollywood.
Balraj Sahni was born on 1st May 1913 in Rawalpindi now in Pakistan. He studied at Government College University (Lahore), Punjab, British India. After completing his master's degree in English Literature from Lahore, he went back to Rawalpindi and joined his family business. He also held a Bachelor's degree in Hindi, followed by a Masters in English from Punjab University.In the late 1930s, Sahni and his wife left Rawalpindi to join Tagore's Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan in Bengal as an English and a Hindi teacher. It is here that their son, Parikshit Sahni was born.Here he met Gandhi ji .He shifted from there to work with Gandhi ji  at Sewagram Ashram Wardha.With Gandhi ji's blessings,he went to England to join the BBC-London's Hindi service as a radio announcer.
In London  he developed a love for Russian cinema and befriended the likes of Harold Laski, TS Eliot and John Gielgud.He then returned to India, an avowed Marxist, to become a leading member of the IPTA. He returned to India in 1943.He joined IPTA and started acting in Plays.Incidentally, his wife Damayanti became well known as an IPTA actress much before Sahni made a name for himself in films.
He started his film career in Mumbai with the film Insaaf (1946), followed by Dharti Ke Lal directed by KA Abbas in 1946, Damayanti's first film, Door Chalein in 1946, and other films. But it was in 1953, with Bimal Roy's classic Do Bigha Zameen, that his true strength as an actor was first recognised. 
The 1950s saw  Balraj portraying  varied roles. He was associated with some silver jubilee or important films, like Seema (1954), Aulad (1954) Pardesi (1957), Sone ki Chidiya, Kathputli (1958), Choti behan and Satta Bazaar (1959). Pardesi, an Indo-Soviet film production anchored by K.A. Abbas, despite being in  colour and cinemascope, failed to impress the Indian audiences but had a good commercial run in Soviet Russia.
The decade of the 1960s was most the fruitful for him and he played character roles. Big and small films like Waqt, Ek Phool Do Maali, Ghar Sansaar, Hindustan Ki Kasam, Pavitra Paapi, Aman, Naunihal, Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, and two Punjabi films — Satluj De Kande and Nanak Dhukhiya Sab Sansaar. Anuradha, Kabuliwala and Garam Hawa are Indian cinema’s top-of-the shelf classics. He acted in a total of 93 films, including two which were released after his untimely death. As work in cinema tapered off, Balraj also took a backseat in life.
Balraj Sahni died on 13 April 1973 of a massive cardiac arrest, less than a month before his 60th birthday. He had been depressed for some time by the untimely death of his young daughter, Shabnam.

Song from Do Bigha Zameen 1953

Song from Seema 1955

Song from Mai Baap1957

Song from Kaabuliwala1961

Song from Waqt 1965

Song from Neel Kamal 1968

Flop Sons of Hit Dads Of Bollywood

Every parent wants their children to walk on their footsteps and follow the legacy.Bollywood stars too want their children to make a career in acting and rule the industry the way they did.Bollywood is a piece of cake for star kids. But there are few who enjoy success in the industry and make their own identity. Here are some of the ‘flop sons’ of Bollywood’s ‘hit father’.

Let's start with Dev Anand,whose son Suneil Anand was introduced from the film  Anand aur Anand (1984).could not succeed.Similarly Raj Kapoor's Son Rajeev Kapoor(Chimpu Kapoor) who was introduced in 1983 with Ek Jaan Hain Hum couldn't succeed in films.

Parikshit Sahni- Son of great Balraj Sahni started with 1968 film Anokhi Raat along with Sanjeev Kumar. got  an independent film as Hero in 1970 Pavitra Paapi opposite Tanuja as his heroine could not make it big in Bollywood.Though he worked as Character actor in many films but he was not as successful as his father.He has also appeared in three of Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster films Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, and PK.

Puru Rajkumar- the son of veteran actor Raj Kumar. He was launched in the 1996 film Bal Bramhachari, which was released only a few months after his father’s death, but unfortunately flopped. After a three-year gap, Puru returned with a negative role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, which was a hit. He also had a cameo in Mission Kashmir in the same year (2000). But his career went downhill after that .

Kumar Gaurav -Rajendra Kumar's son who made his debut with a super hit film Love Story in 1981.After that he came as hero in many films like Star (1982) Lovers,Romance in 1983,Hum Hain Lajawab, All Rounder and Divorce in 1984.None of his films clicked at Box Office. He has been successfully paired with almost all young ladies of ’80s – Poonam Dillon, Rati Agnihotri, Neelam, Vijeyta Pandit, Madhuri Dixit and Padmini Kolhapure. Yet his pairing with Vijeyta Pandit in their debut movie is still remembered most. His revival project, Phool with the top actress Madhuri Dixit, couldn’t give success though its melodious songs were noticed.He produced his earlier films Janam and Naam, his father tried to revive his career with the 1993 film Phool which also had his father and father-in-law Sunil Dutt in supporting roles. However, it didn't bring him any luck either.

Kunal Kapoor-Son of the late actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal,Made his debut with  Ahista Ahista (1981 film) opposite Padmini Kolhapure as well as Vijeta (1982 film).He could not succeed,In 1985, he stopped acting after Trikal to set up his own company, Adfilm-Valas, to producing and direct television commercials. His younger brother Karan Kapoor who got fame from modeling also came in Bollywood with Sultanat (1986) opposite Juhi Chawla as well as later in Loha (1987 film)with Dharmendra but he too could not make it big in bollywood. Karan now runs a photography company in UK.

Kunal Goswami-Made his film debut as a child star in Kranti (1981) which was directed by his father Manoj Kumar. He acted in B-grade movies such as Ghungroo, Kalakaar and Paap Ki Kamee.  His acting didn't take off as well as he would have liked, so he went in to the catering business in Delhi. He decided to give acting a second shot, and his father directed him again in Jai Hind (1999).

Bobby Deol - the son of Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol made  debut with Twinkle Khanna in the 1995 Bollywood film Barsaat, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Deol was awarded the Filmfare Best Debut Award for his role in the 1995 film Barsaat  After that he gave some hit filmslike  Gupt(1997), Soldier (1998), Badal (2000), Bichhoo (2000), Ajnabee (2001), Humraaz (2002), Tango Charlie (2005), Apne (2007), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).

Fardeen Khan-Son of famous actor Firoz Khan, Fardeen Khan debuted in Bollywood in 1998 with his movie ‘Prem Agan’. In his 12 years career of Bollywood, he did movies like ‘Jungle’, ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’, ‘Fida’, ‘Dev’, and ‘All the Best’, but most of his movies couldn’t impress audience much.His cousin brother Zayed Khan son of Sanjay Khan  made his screen debut in 2003 in the film Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne,He is known for his performance as Lakshman a.k.a. Lucky in Main Hoon Na (2004), Aditya Singh in Dus (2005), Vikky Khanna in Fight Club - Members Only (2006), Danny Yuvvraaj in Yuvvraaj (2008), and as Sam/Aditya in Blue (2009).

Tusshar Kapoor-son of veteran actor Jeetendra and younger brother to Ekta Kapoor.made his debut with  the blockbuster Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai,(2001).along with Kareena Kapoor.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his work in the film. He then starred as Rahul in coming of age film Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa alongside Esha Deol.He worked in many commercial hits such as Khakee (2004), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005), Golmaal (2006), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) But he has not made it big.

Rahul Khanna-He is the son of actor Vinod Khanna.He made his feature film debut in Deepa Mehta's 1947 Earth (1999), alongside Aamir Khan. His performance earned him several awards including the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. His younger brother is Akshay Khanna made his acting debut in Bollywood in 1997 with the movie Himalay Putra, which was produced by his father and went without much success at box office.After that a string of unsuccessful films followed such as Mohabbat (1997), Kudrat (1998), Laawaris (1999), Love You Hamesha (1999) and Dahek (1999).followed.In 1999, he starred in Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen; though the film did average business, he was praised for his acting. He next starred in Subhash Ghai's Taal opposite Aishwarya Rai.In 2001, Khanna appeared in Farhan Akhtar's cult classic Dil Chahta Hai. This marked a turning point in his career: the film was a commercial and critical success and Khanna's performance was particularly applauded, later validated by Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2002.

Mimoh Chakraborty- the son of original disco dancer of Bollywood, Mithun Chakraborty. Leave alone not matching up to his father’s  renowned dancing skills, Mimoh’s acting career took a downward spiral after his debut film Jimmy in 2008. The 2013 release Enemmy with father also tanked.

Aarya Babbar-the son of actor turned politician Raj Babbar and theatre personality Nadira Babbar. He started his film career with Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras alongside Amrita Rao in 2002.He has worked with stalwarts like Mani Ratnam, Madhur Bhandarkar and Vikram Bhatt. Also he appeared in films such as Yaar Annmulle, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and Ready.

Pratik Babbar  -The son of late actress Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, he began his career as a production assistant before pursuing an acting career.He made his screen debut with the 2008 film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, and was praised for his performance in the film.Babbar played a variety of roles in 2011, appearing in commercially viable projects such as the crime thriller Dum Maro Dum and the political drama Aarakshan, while drawing the attention of critics for his performances in independent films, including the drama Dhobi Ghat and the romantic comedy My Friend Pinto.

15 Father-Son Jodis of Bollywood

There are many father son Jodis in Bollywood but there are few such Jodis who have shared screen together.The trend can probably be credited to the first family of Bollywood, when Prithviraj Kapoor played father to son Raj Kapoor in Awaara. The audience feels a certain connect with real life fathers and sons playing the same relation on-screen as well.In fact there was a film Kal Aaj Aur Kal in which father, son and grand son shared the screen together.Prithviraj Kapoor played father to real life son Raj Kapoor, whereas Raj played father to real life son Randhir Kapoor in this saga about generation gap.The film was directed by Randhir Kapoor.

Another Legendary Actor was Dev Anand who shared screen with his son Suneil Anand in Anand Hi Anand 1984.This film was produced and directed by Dev Anand himself.

Balraj Sahni was another legendary actor who share the screen together with his son Parikshit Sahni in a film Pavitra Paapi 1970 not as father son.

Shashi Kapoor  who has two sons Kunal and Karan,shared the screen with his son Kunal Kapoor first time in 1972 film Siddhartha as father ans son that time Kunal was a child.In 1978 film he shared the screen with both the sons.Later in 1982 film Vijeta both appeared as father and son.In 1984 film Utsav both appeared again but not as father and  son.

 Rajendra Kumar not only designed a debut movie for his darling son Bunty better known as Kumar Gaurav, which turned him into an overnight phenomena but also played his indulgent father on screen in the 1981 blockbuster, Love Story.They also appeared in two other films Lover and Phool

Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt in Rocky 1981 and even though he played his on screen father in it.They also appeared as  father son in Kshatriya 1993 and Munna Bhai MBBS 2003.

Feroz Khan and Fardeen got together for movies like Janasheen 2003 and Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena 2005 where their characters are not related to each another. But they sure get points for sharing the screen together.

Dharmendra who has two sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol was first seen together with both in Apne 2007 as father sons and also in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2011 and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 in 2013.Dharmendra and sunny appeared together in 13 films and Bobby and Dharmendra in 8 films.In Dharmveer Bobby appeared as a child role of Dharmendra.

Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan shared screen was Sarkar 2005 as father and son There is a unique film PAA in which Abhishek played the role of father of Amitabh.In all they shared screen together in 17 films.Some of the popular films were Bunty Aur babli, Bol Bachchan 2012 and Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna 2006.

Vinod Khanna and his son Akshay Khanna shared one film together as father son in Himalaya Putra 1997 In this typically 1990s hash, they play a father and son oblivious of their blood connection and the drama it all leads up to.

Jeetendra and his son Tusshar Kapoor appeared in 2 films .The first film was Kuchh To Hai in 2003 which was Tusshar's Debut film in which both acted as father and son

Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir Kapoor worked together in Besharam 2013 here in this film in the end Ranbir Kapoor is adopted by Rishi Kapoor.

Rajesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan: Although Rakesh Roshan and son Hrithik didn't share any screen space in Koi Mil Gaya, it was only because Rakesh's character dies before the birth of his son. But the father-son jodi was one of the highlights of the film, that won critical acclaim for Hrithik, 

Murad (1910–1997) was an Indian character actor who appeared in more than 100 Bollywood films from the early 1940s through to the end of the 1980s playing character roles of a father, police officer, judge and an emperor. His son Raza Murad is also an actor in the Bollywood industry who is known for playing mostly villain roles.Both of them shared screen in Johar-Mehmood in Goa 1965

Pankaj Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor have shared screen in one film Shaandaar 2015 where he played the father of heroine.

A Tribute to BALRAJ SAHNI-The Most Gifted Actor

Balraj Sahni is amongst the legends of bollywood. Movies like Do Beegha Zameen and Garm Hawa are the highlights of his career. He was born on May 1, 1913 and died on 13 April 1973,
He was highly qualified person of Hindi Film Industry.He did his Bachelor’s degree in Hindi from Punjab University and Master Degree in English Literature from Punjab University and latter went to study in Harvard also.Sahni completed his education and married Damayanti. Afterwards, both of them went to join Rabindra Nath Tagore. He also worked wth Mahatma Gandhi for a brief period. He started his acting career with the plays of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). Balraj Sahni entered bollywood with the movie Insaaf and went on to be at the pinnacle of hindi cinema. Before that he joined the BBC-London’s Hindi service as a Radio Announcer from 1939-43.
He played lead roles in some legendary movies like Do Beegha Zameen, Waqt, Dharti Ke Lal etc. Garm Haa was his last movie and he died the very next day he completed dubbing for this movie.
Balraj Sahni was an eminent writer also. His works in Punjabi literature are considered to be the epics in the field. He initially wrote in English also. Mera Pakistani Safar, Mera Rusi Safarnama and Meri Filmi Aatmakatha (autobiography) are some of his legendary works.
In this blog I am taking few excerpts from his Biaography.
Balraj Sahni recieved many awards in his lifetime,he earned the ‘Soviet Land Nehru Award for his book Mera Rusi Safarnama in 1969,the same year he got PADAM SHRI.

Song from Do Beegha Zamin 1953

Song from Waqt

Song from Kaabuliwala 1961

Song from Neel Kamal 1968

Song from Ek Phool Do Maali 1969