Ashok Kumar, fondly called “Dada Moni,” was a trailblazing actor who brought natural acting to the forefront of Hindi cinema. His legacy extends from being the first superstar of the 40s and 50s black-and-white era as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero.
A significant influence in Indian cinema, Ashok Kumar laid the foundation for his younger brothers, Anoop Kumar and the renowned singer Kishore Kumar. Kishore, in particular, stands today as the most beloved of the trio. In recognition of his monumental contributions, Ashok Kumar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988, the highest national honour for cinema artists, and the Padma Bhushan in 1999 from the Government of India.
Early Life
Ashok Kumar was born Kumudlal Ganguly on October 13, 1911, into a Bengali Brahmin family. His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, was a lawyer, and his mother, Gouri Devi, was a homemaker. The Ganguly family was known for their strong academic and cultural background, which played a significant role in shaping Ashok Kumar’s early life.
Ashok Kumar completed his schooling in Bhagalpur and later pursued a law degree at Presidency College, Kolkata. However, his passion for cinema led him to abandon his law studies and seek a career in the film industry. He joined Bombay Talkies, a premier film studio established by Himanshu Rai and Devika Rani, as a laboratory assistant.
Breakthrough
In 1936, he made his acting debut in the film “Jeevan Naiya,” directed by Franz Osten. The film’s original lead actor, Najmul Hassan, had eloped with the film’s leading lady, Devika Rani, causing a major scandal. Himanshu Rai, the producer, decided to replace Najmul Hassan with Ashok Kumar. Despite having no prior acting experience, Ashok Kumar’s performance in “Jeevan Naiya” was well received, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.
His breakthrough came with the 1936 film “Achhut Kanya,” directed by Franz Osten. The film, which dealt with the social issue of untouchability, featured Ashok Kumar as a Brahmin boy in love with an untouchable girl, played by Devika Rani. The film’s success established Ashok Kumar as a leading actor.
After the success of “Achhut Kanya,” he goes on to star with Devika Rani in several successful movies like Janmabhoomi (1936), Izzat (1937), Savitri (1937), Vachan (1938), and Nirmala (1938).
Ashok Kumar The Star
Despite the early success, Ashok Kumar was not the superstar he later became until the Gyan Mukherjee-directed 1943 movie “Kismet” smashed all existing box office records and became the first Hindi movie to gross 1 crore at the box office. The film featured Ashok Kumar as a suave and charming anti-hero, a first in Indian cinema. His performance in “Kismet” earned him widespread acclaim and solidified his status as a superstar.
After Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies such as Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mashaal (1950), Sangram (1950), and Samadhi (1950).
Mahal (1949), directed by Kamal Amrohi, is considered a classic in Indian cinema. Ashok Kumar’s portrayal of a man haunted by the spirit of his past love, played by Madhubala, was both tragic and captivating.
The Actor For All Seasons
Despite the arrival of younger stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the top stars of the era. His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played the second lead to Dilip Kumar. One of his other significant performances came in B.R. Chopra’s Afsana (1951), which featured Ashok Kumar in a double role. His portrayal of twin brothers separated at birth was both compelling and nuanced.
Some of his most notable hits in this period include Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955), Ek Hi Raasta (1956), and Ek Saal (1957). In 1958, he starred in Shakti Samata’s thriller Howrah Bridge with Madhubala.
In the 1950s, Ashok Kumar appeared frequently opposite Nalini Jaywant in several movies. One of their most memprable film was 1950s musical Samadhi. They also acted in Sangram (1950), Jalpari (1952), Kafila (1952), Nau Bahar (1952), Saloni (1952), Lakeeren (1954), Naaz (1954), Mr. X (1957), Sheroo (1957), and Toofan Mein Pyar Kahan (1963).
He also did around 17 films with Meena Kumari in a span of twenty years ranging from Tamasha in 1952 to the 1972 magnum opus, Pakeezah.
In 1958, he starred alongside his brothers, Kishore Kumar and Anoop Kumar, in Satyen Bose’s Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). His portrayal of a grumpy and eccentric elder brother was both hilarious and endearing.
Transition of Ashok Kumar
By the 1960s, Ashok Kumar switched over to character roles, variously playing the parent, uncle, or grandparent, being careful never to be typecast. From a judge in Kanoon (1960), a self-sacrificing brother in Rakhi (1962), for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award, an ageing freedom fighter in Bandini (1963), a caring brother in Mere Mehboob (1963), an ageing priest in Chitralekha (1964), a vicious zamindar in Jawaab (1970), a criminal in Victoria No.203 (1971), and a doting grandfather and father-in-law in Anuraag (1972), he played a wide variety of roles.
In 1963, he starred in R.K. Rakhan’s musical “Meri Surat Teri Ankhen,” about a man who was hated by his father because he was ugly. The film is remembered for Kumar’s iconic acting. It also has memorable songs like “Poochho Na Kaise Maine” “Naache Man Moraa Magan,” and “Tere Bin Soone.”
One of Ashok Kumar’s most memorable roles came in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Aashirwad (1968). In the film his portrayal of a loving and caring father separated from his daughter was both heartwarming and poignant. The film’s success earned him the National as well as the Filmfare Film Award for Best Actor.
Later Career
Ashok Kumar played important roles in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of his memorable films including Jewel Thief (1967), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1976), Khatta Meetha (1980), and Khoobsurat (1980).
Apart from being an actor par excellence, he was an accomplished singer. His rap “Rail Gaadi” and “Nav Chali” in Ashirwad became legendary. It was probably the first instance rap was used in a mainstream movie. In his earlier films like Achhut Kanya (Main ban ki chidiya) and Kismet (Dheere Dheere Ana re badal), he sang for himself.
Some of his other songs include Koi Humdam Na Raha Koi Sahara Na Raha (Jeevan Naiyya), Ek Chatur Naar Kar Kar Singaar (Jhoola), Chal Chal Re Naujawan (Bandhan), Ek Naya Sansar Basa Len (Naya Sansar), Chamko Chamko Bijaliya Chamko (Chal Chal Re Naujawan), Jai Jai Janani Janmabhoomi (Janmabhoomi), Har Din Hai Naya (Shikari), Jiya Dole Hiya Dole (Chandrashekhar), Jhingapore Taqur Taqur, Kaano Ki Ek Nagri Dekh, Saaf Karo Insaaf Karo (Aashirwad), Piya Bawri Piya Bawri (Khubsoorat), Chalo Haseen Geet Ek Banayein (Shaukeen), among others.
He acted in fewer films in the 1980s and 1990s and occasionally appeared on television. Dada Moni famously anchored the first Indian soap opera, “Hum Log.” He also appeared as the title character in the unforgettable “Bahadur Shah Zafar.”
Personal Life and Legacy
Ashok Kumar married Shobha, a cousin of actress Chhaya Devi. The couple had a son, Aroop Ganguly, and three daughters: Bharati Patel, Rupa Verma, and Preeti Ganguly. Bharati’s daughter, actress Anuradha Patel, from her first marriage, is also an actress. Bharati later married Hamid Jaffery, brother of actor Saeed Jaffery. Aroop starred in only one film, Bezubaan (1962). Rupa married actor Deven Verma, and Preeti, a popular actress in the 1980s, passed away unmarried in 2012.
Ashok Kumar’s illustrious career concluded on December 10, 2001, at the age of 90. Dada Moni left behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts of cinema lovers.
Ashok Kumar was known for his simplicity and down-to-earth nature. He was an avid reader and had a keen interest in homeopathy. His love for painting and singing added to his multifaceted personality. Despite his stardom, Ashok Kumar remained humble and approachable, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and fans.
Ashok Kumar on IMDB
