Celebrated actor and filmmaker of Hindi and Marathi cinema, Bhagwan Dada was a pioneering figure in Indian cinema who started his journey with silent films and went on to do more than 380 films in his career of more than six decades.
Dubbed as Indian cinema’s first dancing star, he was perhaps the first male star to introduce Ramba, Samba, Disco, rock-n-roll, and other dance forms to Hindi cinema, which was then ruled by female dancers.
Bhagwan Dada, born Bhagwan Abhaji Palav on August 1, 1913, in Amravati, Maharashtra. His father was a textile mill worker, and Bhagwan grew up in a modest household. Despite his humble beginnings, he was deeply passionate about films from a young age.
Eary Career
Bhagwan Dada’s journey in the film industry began in the silent film era. He made his debut with the film “Criminal” and quickly became known for his unique style and charisma. His love for wrestling earned him the nickname “Dada,” and he often portrayed naive, simple characters in his early films.
Bhagwan Dada’s career took a significant turn when he co-directed his first film, “Bahadur Kisan,” in 1938. From 1938 to 1949, he directed a series of low-budget stunt and action films that resonated with the working-class audience. One of his notable early works was the Tamil film “Vana Mohini” (1940), which starred M. K. Radha and Sri Lankan actress Thavamani Devi.
Some of his ffilms from this period include Gunehgaar (1939), Jayakodi (1940), Raja Gopichand (1941), Sukhi Jeevan (1942), Badla (1943), Bahadur (1944), Nagma-E-Sahra (1945), Dosti (1946), Shake Hands (1947), Matwale (1947), Bahadur Pratap (1947), Matlabi (1948), Lalach (1948), Jalan (1948), Bhedi Bungla (1949), Bachke Rahna (1949), Jigar (1949), Bhole Bhale (1950), Bebus (1950), and Babooji (1950).
Success of Albela
In 1951, Bhagwan Dada achieved immense success with the film “Albela,” which he directed and starred in alongside Geeta Bali. Released in 1951, the film has stood the test of time. Even today, in this jet age of electronic entertainment, crowds go hysterical every time they hear “Shola jo bhadke, dil mera dhadke” or “Bholi surat dil ke khote, naam bade aur darshan chhote” from the film.
The film’s music had many iconic songs composed by C. Ramchandra. The song Shola Jo Bhadke was an instant chart buster. One of its other songs “Qismat Ki Hawa Kabhi Naram,” had a philosophical tone and still celebrated today. The other songs like “Balma Bada Nadan Re” “Shaam Dhale Khidki Tale,” “Dheere Se Aaja Ri Ankhiyon Mein,” and “Dil Dhadke Nazar Sharmaye,” were also successful. “Albela” went on to become a major hit and established Bhagwan Dada as a prominent figure in Indian cinema.
The Decline
After the phenomenal success of Albela he went on to direct many film on the same template. Some of his notable films include Rangila (1953), Jhamela (1953), Halla Gulla (1954), Pyaara Dushman (1955), Bhagam Bhag (1956), Kar Bhala (1956), Passing Show (1956), Bhala Aadmi (1958), Sachche Ka Bol Bala (1958), Shola Jo Bhadke (1961), Hum Diwane (1965), and Labela (1966).
Unfortunately, all of these films flopped, as he stuck to the same formula that made Albela a superhit. People say that Bhagwan Dada refused to evolve with time and continued to make more films, until he lost all his money. The continuous failure of his film left him broke and in significant debt. He has sold his 25-room waterfront bungalow in Juhu and his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week).
He took whatever roles he could get, but none matched the success of his earlier works. Apart from films like “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje” (1955), “Chori Chori” (1956), and “Gateway of India” (1957), none were of note.
Later Years and Death
Bhagwan Dada faced immense financial difficulties later in life. Eventually, he took on bit parts in which he did his famous dance. It was the same step which was made even more famous by Amitabh Bachchan..
He remained an actor till the mid-90s, doing bit roles in films like “Biwi Ho To Aisi,” “Baap Numbery beta Das Numbery,” “Swarg,” “Jai Vikraanta,’ and many more.
Bhagwan Dada’s life was the example of “Qismat Ki Hawa Kabhi Naram,” his famous song. In his dificult time, most of Bhagwan’s associates left him. There were few friends like C. Ramchandra, Om Prakash, and lyricist Rajinder Krishan, who continued to meet him even in his chawl.
Bhagwan Dada spent his later days in abject poverty. He stayed in a one-room residence in a chawl at Dadar. Dada died of a heart attack at his residence in Dadar on 4 February 2002.
Legacy Of Bhagwan Dada
Bhagwan Dada, as he was popularly called, created a new grammar of comedy through the unique style of acting and dancing, which inspired a whole generation of comedians in Hindi cinema,”
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then prime minister
In 2016, a biopic of Bhagvan Dada Ekk Albela was released to great critical acclaim. The Marathi film was directed by Shekhar Sartandel and produced by Dr. Monish Babre. The film stars Mangesh Desai in the lead role as Bhagwan Dada. Vidya Balan had a cameo role as Geeta Bali. The supporting cast features Vidhyadhar Joshi, Prasad Pandit, Swapnil Rajshekhar, Vighnesh Joshi, Shekhar Phadke, Shriram Kolhatkar, and Arun Bhadsavle.
