Who can forget Indian cinema’s most “Loveable Uncle,” and “Cutest Father” David? Espacially in Hrisikesh Mukherji’s films? Be it Chupke Chupke’s scheming Haripad Bhaiyya or Khoobsurat’s single father who talks in rhymes with his daughters, he brings a kind of positivity to his roles that is long gone from the cinema and society.
Early Life
David Abraham Cheulkar, was born in 1909 in Thane, Maharashtra. He was the youngest child of Abraham and Dinah Chewoolkar, members of India’s Marathi-speaking Jewish ( Bene Israel) community. His father passed away when David was young. His mother, Dinah, raised him with the help of his older brothers. Dinah lived a remarkable 104 years. David grew up in suburban Mumbai, surrounded by a close-knit community. As a child, he developed a love for theatre. He often acted in French plays, performing in a neighbor’s garden due to his fluency in the language.
David’s early years shaped his affinity for performance. His exposure to diverse cultures within Mumbai’s Bene Israel community influenced his ability to connect with varied roles later in life. Despite financial struggles, his family supported his creative pursuits.
He attended St. Joseph’s School and Wilson College, where his interest in theatre deepened. He graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mumbai in 1930, After graduation, he faced six years of unemployment. During this period, he earned a law degree from Government Law College, hoping for stability. However, jobs remained elusive. However, his passion for acting never waned,In 1937, he decided to try his luck in the Hindi film industry.
Iconic career of David Abraham Cheulkar
David’s struggles to find chance in films goes on to a long time. Finally, a friend, veteran actor Nayampalli, introduced David to producer-director Mohan Bhavnani. Bhavnani was famous producer-director, who helped him land his first film, “Zambo: The Ape Man (1937).” However, it was the 1941 film “Naya Sansar” that marked the start of his prolific career in character roles. Over the years, David has appeared in over 110 films, showcasing his talent in a variety of genres and narratives.
David was one of the earliest actors to join the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), established in 1943. David, with his deep-rooted convictions in social justice and equality, found a natural home in IPTA. His involvement with IPTA allowed him to explore roles that were not just entertaining but also thought-provoking and reflective of society’s zeitgeist.
David’s most iconic role came in Boot Polish (1954), directed by Prakash Arora. He played John Chacha , a bootlegger with a heart of gold. The kind-hearted uncle became a father figure to two orphaned children. A memorable scene features him singing “Nanhe Munne Bachche,” a song that became a cultural touchstone of the era. His performance earned him the 1955 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. The film itself won Filmfare’s Best Film and was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
Apart from his work with IPTA, he also worked in several films by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, including Rahi (1953), Munna (1954), the Palme d’Or nominee “Pardesi” (1957), Char Dil Char Rahen (1959), the National Film Award-winning “Shehar Aur Sapna” (1963), Aasman Mahal (1965), and Bambai Raat Ki Bahon Mein (1967).
The Loveable Uncle
Some notable films done by him are “Panna,” “Kismet” (this film had a record that it played for three years continuously at a theatre in Calcutta),” Draupadi,” “Nal-Damayanti”, “Apna Ghar,” “Shehnai,” “Shaan,” “Boot Polish,” “Do Dulhe,” “Bhagwat Mahima,” “Mahatma” (in Marathi), “Himalaya Ki God Mein,” “Amar Deep,” “Samaajh ko Badal Daalo,” “Ek phool do mali,” “Baton Baton Mein,” “Hathi meray sathi,” “Dus Nambri,” “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”, “Shatranj Ke Khiladi,” “Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai,” and many more.
David Abraham Cheulkar’s collaboration with Hrishikesh Mukherjee is a notable aspect of his film career. They worked together in films like Musafir (1959), Anuradha (1960), Memdidi (1961), Anupama (1966), Satyakam (1969), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979), and Khubsoorat (1980). In Satyakam (1969), David played against type. He portrayed Rustom, a debauched drunkard, contrasting his usual avuncular roles. His scenes opposite Dharmendra highlighted his versatility.
One of the most memorable collaborations between David and Mukherjee was the 1975 film “Chupke Chupke.” In this beloved comedy, David played the role of Haripad Bhaiyya, alongside an ensemble cast of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, and Jaya Bachchan. As Haripad Bhaiya, the main conspirator of the prank against Om Prakash. Gol Maal (1979) featured David as Doctor Kedar Mama, a role that endeared him to audiences. His playful exchanges with Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar became a highlight.
Later Years
David Abraham Cheulkar was president of the Maharashtra Weightlifting Federation and vice president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, and he served on the Olympic Committee, representing India. He was a representative of the Indian Olympics Association, and he attended the Olympic games held in Helsinki in 1952, Rome in 1960, Tokyo in 1964, and Mexico City in 1968.
David never married. He dedicated his life to his craft and community work. Although he remnain active in films till early 1980s. He starred spending his ramining time in Hamilton, Canada, to live with his nephew Victor and niece Diana. He remained close to his family, particularly his mother, Dinah, who lived to 104. David passed away on December 28, 1981, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, due to a heart attack. He was 73.
His burial took place at Beth Jacob Synagogue Cemetery in Hamilton. His headstone reads: “Here’s a man who smiled through his tears and laughed in the midst of a sigh. He mingled his youth with advancing years and was happy to live or die.”
David Abraham Cheulkar on IMDB
