July 3, 2025
New Delhi
Actors

Arun Kumar Ahuja

Arun Kumar Ahuja

Actor and singer Arun Kumar Ahuja was the star of the 1940s, with important films like “Ek Hi Raasta,” “Aurat,” “Beti,” “Kanchan,” “Bhanvra,” “Savera,” “Chalis Karod,” “Ghunghat,” and many more. We also know him as the father of superstar Govinda.

Early Life and Career

Arun Kumar Ahuja was born Gulshan Singh Ahuja on January 26, 1918 (some sources document his date of birth as January 17, 1917) in Gujranwala, Punjab. He completed his early education in Gujranwala before joining “Mughalpura Engineering College, Lahore,” where he graduated in 1937.

Arun Kumar Ahuja
In Ek Hi Raasta. Photo Courtesy – Social Media

Ahuja was discovered by legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan during a talent hunt for his upcoming movie. Ahuja made his debut in the 1939 film “Ek Hi Raasta,” produced by Sagar Movietone and directed by Mehboob Khan. In the film, he also sang a duet, “Kab Chal Diya Ladakpan Kab Aa Gayi Jawani,” with Maya Benerjee under the music direction of Anil Biswas.

Next year, Mehboob Khan cast him in his epic “Aurat” as Shamu, opposite Sardar Akhtar, the role later portrayed by Raaj Kumar in its remake “Mother India.” The same year he starred in N. R. Acharya’s “Azaad” and Ramchandra Thakur’s Civil Marriage (1940).”

Arun Kumar Ahuja – The Star

His next was Jayant Desai’s “Beti (1941),” where he sang “Haye Dil Haye Jigar Kar Gayi Vaar Kaleje Par,” followed by Sarvottam Badami’s “Bambai Ki Sair,” Leela Chitnis’s Kanchan (1941),” Aspi Irani’s “Andhera (1943),” and “Caravan (1944),” A. Doshi’s “Nurse (1943),” “Shankar Parvati (1943),” and Bharthari (1944),” Kedar Sharma’s “Bhanvra (1944),” and Nandlal Jaswantlal’s “Amrapali (1945).”

His career spanned over 30 films, in which he showcased his versatility in both leading and supporting roles. Notably, he played a significant part in films like Mera Suhag (1947), Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1947), Sudhar (1949), Usha Haran (1949), and many more.

Arun Kumar Ahuja
Arun Kumar Ahuja. Photo courtesy – Social Media
Arun Kumar Ahuja
with Leela Mishra in Ghunght (1946).. Photo Courtesy – Social Media

He also sings many songs like “Haye Dil Haye Jigar Kar Gayi Vaar Kaleje Par (Beti),” “Nadiya Ke Tat Pe Khadi Hoon More Raja (Kanchan),” “Ambva Ke Neeche Aaja (Savera),” “Bholi Si Bhilaniya Naache (Shankar Parvati),” “Aaj Jaage Hain Bhaag Bujhi Birha Ki Aag (GrihaLaxmi),” and “Ram Naam Ras Peeje Manwa (Andolan),”

The Failure

Ahuja married classical singer and actress Nirmala Devi in 1942, and the couple acted together in several films, including “Savera (1942),” “Chalis Karod (1946),” and “Ghunghat (1946).” Their union was blessed with five children, including the future Hindi film star Govinda and filmmaker Kirti Kumar.

Everything was going well, but Ahuja’s life took a downturn when he ventured into film production. His company, Arun Productions, faced a major setback with the box office failure of “Sehra” in 1948. The financial losses compelled him to sell his bungalow in Mumbai and move to a chawl in Virar, marking the beginning of his retreat from the limelight.

Later Days

He continued to act in films in supporting roles, but lost his morale. Some of his later films include Shadi Ki Raat (1950), Jai Mahalaksmi (1951), Kashmir (1951), Aulad (1954), Mangu (1954), Shriman Satyawadi (1960), Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), and Hameer Hath (1964).

Ahuja’s later years were marked by reclusion and financial struggles, with his wife, Nirmala Devi, working as a singer to support the family. He passed away on July 3, 1998, leaving behind a legacy that had faded from public memory but remained significant in the history of Hindi cinema.


Arun Kumar Ahuja on IMDB

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