Actor, producer, and writer Bharat Bhushan was the heartthrob of the 1950s. Known for his romantic and tragic musicals, the chocolaty hero became one of the biggest superstars with films like “Baiju Bawara,” “Mirza Ghalib,” “Gateway of India,” “Ghunghat,” “Barsaat Ki Raat,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Bharat Bhushan was born Bharat Bhushan Gupta (a few sources document his surname as “Bhalla”) on June 14, 1920, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, into the affluent family. His father, Raibahadur Motilal, served as the government pleader of Meerut and a Supreme Court judge in Allahabad. Bharat Bhushan’s mother passed away when he was just two years old. After the tragedy, the little Bharat and his older brother move to Aligarh to live with their grandfather. His elder brother, Rameshchandra Gupta, became a film producer and high court judge, owning Ideal Studio in Lucknow.
Bharat Bhushan completed his schooling in Meerut and Aligarh. Bhushanthen went to Dharam Samaj College, Aligarh for his graduation. His father expected him to follow a legal career. Despite his father’s opposition to the film business, Bhushan was drawn to the arts, especially music and singing. His passion lead him to Calcutta and then to Bombay to pursue a career in acting.
Bharat Bhushan On Screen
Bharat Bhushan’s journey in the film industry began with his debut in the Kidar Sharma hit “Chitralekha (1941). In 1942, He starred in his second film, Rameshwar Sharma’s “Bhakta Kabir,” opposite Mehtab. He landed the role unexpectedly after a fallout between the producer and the leading man, Onkar Nath Thakur. The film brought him significant fame, and the government awarded silver bricks to the cast for promoting communal harmony.
Bharat Bhushan had a very good relations with his first director Kidar Sharma. They went to work in many films like Sohag Raat (1948), Thes (1949), and others.
He also acted in films like Bhaichara (1942), Sawan (1945), Udhaar (1949), Chakori (1949), Rangila Rajasthan (1949), Bhai Bahen (1950), Janmashtami (1950), Kisi Ki Yaad (1950), Aankhen (1950), Ram Darshan (1950), Hamari Shaan (1951), and Saagar (1951). Despite working consistently throughout the 1940s, it took over a decade for him to make a significant mark in Hindi cinema.
Breakthrough Bharat Bhushan
His breakthrough came with Vijay Bhatt’s historical epic Baiju Bawra (1952). In the film he played the titular role of Baiju, a young musician seeking revenge for his father’s death. His portrayal of Baiju in the film was well received by both the audience and critics. The film was a massive success and catapulted Bharat Bhushan to stardom. It earned him legendary status alongside Mohammad Rafi, Meena Kumari, and music director Naushad Ali.
The same year, he starred in Bimal Roy‘s “Maa,” opposite Shyama, and Hemen Gupta’s “Anand Math.” The success of these films established him as a big star of the time. In 1953, he starred in “Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,” with Durga Khote and Ameeta, which narrates the life of the 16th-century saint and founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. Bhushan’s moving portrayal got him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
In “Mirza Ghalib (1954),” with Suraiya, Bhushan portrayed the legendary poet with such finesse that it became a benchmark for historical characters in Indian cinema. His performance earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. The film’s highlight was its music by Ghulam Mohammad, who used Talat Mehmood for the voice of Ghalib.
The First Chocolate Hero
“Basant Bahar (1956),” opposite Nimmi, was another musical masterpiece that had Bhushan in the lead role, playing a gifted singer. The film’s soundtrack is considered one of the classics of Hindi film music, with Bhushan’s performance adding to its enduring appeal.
He starred with Madhubala in “Gateway of India (1957),” “Phagun (1958),” and “Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).” Barsaat Ki Raat is not only notable for its music; the chemistry between Bhushan and the leading lady, Madhubala, was one of the highlights of this romantic drama. Bharat Bhushan had a good sense of music, which made him a preferred choice for music-based movies in the 1950s and 1960s. Many great songs of major singers like Rafi, Manna Dey, Talat, and Mukesh were picturised on him.
Some of his other memorable films include Sohni Mahiwal (1958), Kal Hamara Hai (1959), Ghunghat (1960), Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962), Jahan Ara (1964), Chandi Ki Deewar (1964), Dooj Ka Chand (1964), Naya Kanoon (1964), and Taqdeer (1967). Apart from acting, he also credited with writing the scripts and stories for “Basant Bahar (1956),” “Barsat Ki Raat (1960),” “Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal (1966),” and “Dooj Ka Chand (1964).”
The Decline of Fortune
Bharat Bhushan was a top actor when he decided to turn producer with his brother Ramesh Chandra. They made the film “Dooj Ka Chand (1964),” which was a colossal failure. Despite being one of the richest actors in the Hindi film industry, he soon went bankrupt with the failure of his production company. The failure, forced him to sell most of his property, including bungalows in Pune and Bombay, as well as his fine collection of books and fancy cars. The famous bungalow “Ashirwaad,” which was later bought by Rajesh Khanna, belonged to Bharat Bhushan. Bhushan sold it to Rajendra Kumar for 60,000 to pay his debts.
The industry too left him in his bad times, as he was not getting leading roles in films. He was forced to do character roles that were initially significant, like “Taqdeer,” but soon he had no choice but to take up minor roles in order to sustain himself. He appeared in very minor roles in films like Gomti Ke Kinare (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), Khoon Pasina (1973), Nawab Sahib (1973), Unees-Bees (1980), Khara Khota (1981), Yaarana (1978), Umrao Jaan (1982), and many more.
Personal Life and Later Years
He continued to act in Hindi films until the 1990s, often for a few scenes, which were painful to watch. Bharat Bhushan’s story is proof of life’s uncertainties and industry’s treacherous nature. Bharat Bhooshan had the talent to do any role in his later years but never got a significant character role and was reduced to being a junior artist.
Bhushan married Sarla, daughter of Raibahadur Budha Prakash, from a prominent Meerut family. They had two daughters, Anuradha and Aparajita. Anuradha faced polio-associated complications, impacting her health. Sarla died in the early 1960s due to labor complications after Aparajita’s birth, shortly after Barsaat Ki Raat released.
In 1967, Bharat married actress Ratna, his co-star from Barsaat Ki Raat. Ratna often played supporting roles as the heroine’s sister or friend and appeared as a mother in the TV serial Trishna, an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Aparajita pursued acting, featuring in over 50 films and TV serials, including the role of Mandodari in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan.
Bharat Bhushan passed away on January 27, 1992, but his legacy as one of the greatest stars and legends of Hindi cinema endures.
Bharat Bhushan on IMDB
