Balraj Sahni (1 May 1913 – 13 April 1973), was an Indian film and theatre actor. He is best-known for Dharti Ke Lal (1946), Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Chhoti Bahen (1959), Kabuliwala (1961), and Garam Hawa (1973).
Early Life
He was born on 1 May 1913, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He went to Government College (Lahore) and Gordon College. He went back to Rawalpindi to join the family business after getting his master’s degree in English Literature from Lahore. In addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Hindi as well.
In 1938 he also worked with Mahatma Gandhi for a year. After that, he joined the BBC-London’s Hindi service as a radio announcer with Gandhi’s blessing. He came back to India in 1943.
Career
He made his Hindi film debut with Insaaf. After that, there were movies like Dharti Ke Lal and Door Chalein. He worked in 1951 with Dilip Kumar and Nargis in Hulchul.
He worked with Padmini, Nutan, Meena Kumari, Vyjayanthimala and Nargis in movies such as Bindya, Seema (1955), Sone Ki Chidiya (1958), Sutta Bazaar (1959), Bhabhi Ki Chudiyaan (1961), Kathputli (1957), Lajwanti (1958) and Ghar Sansaar (1958). He had memorable character roles in films like Neelkamal, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Do Raaste and Ek Phool Do Mali. However, he’s probably best remembered for picturizing the legendary song “Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen” from Waqt (1965). The song was sung by Achala Sachdev and Shahni.
In addition to Satluj De Kande, he starred in Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970) and the classic Punjabi film Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar.
Award
In 1969, he received the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India.
Death
He died on 13 April 1971, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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