Superstar of mythological films, Manhar Desai was one of the iconic actors of Hindi and Gujarati films, known for films like Gunsundari, Mangalfera, Madhosh, Naya Rasta, Naag Panchami, Chandramukhi, Zabak, Parasmani, Jai Santoshi Maa, and many more.
Early Life and Career
Manher Desai was born as Malcolm Alfredo Desai on August 3, 1917, in Bombay into a Gujarati Christian family in Ahmedabad. His family frequently moved across different places in India due to his father’s profession as a police inspector.
Desai’s early life was marked by a strong desire to act—a passion that led him to run away from home at the tender age of 13 to pursue acting. However, he returned to complete his education, passing his matriculation examination. The family’s relocation to Bombay opened new avenues for young Desai. At 15, he was determined to make it in films, and an opportunity presented itself through a family acquaintance who worked for M. B. Billimoria, a noted exhibitor and distributor.
His initial foray into the film industry was as a stunt double, but this did not satisfy him, leading him to pursue higher education. He earned his BA in English Literature from Wilson College and even began postgraduate classes. However, financial constraints forced him to abandon his studies and take up various jobs, including positions in the PWD and Military Accounts in Poona.
Manhar Desai In films
Despite the detours, Desai’s dream of acting never faded. His persistence paid off when he was offered a hero’s role by N.C. Panday, whom he had befriended during his earlier stint at Paramount Studio. This marked the beginning of his career as a lead actor in stunt films, debuting with ‘Toofani Sawar‘ in 1947.
The following year, Desai starred in the Gujarati/hindi biligual film “Gunsundari (1948),” opposite Nirupa Rai. Manhar played a wayward husband of Nirupa Rai in this social drama directed by Ratibhai Punatar. The success of the film catapulted him to stardom, with the movie running for an impressive forty-two weeks.
Ratibhai Punatar repeated the cast of Gunsundari in his next Mangalfera (1949). Interestingly, he again played the wayward husband to Nirupa Rai. He became a household name with hits like Naseebdar (1950), and Gada no Bel (1950).
In 1951, he landed the lead role against Meena Kumari in J. B. H. Wadia’s “Madhosh (1951).” The film has the famous Talat mehmood number “Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na Aansoo Bahana.” It was written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and composed by Madan Mohan.
In 1952 he acted in Hyderabad Ki Nazneen (1952), with Nigar Sultana. He followed it with films like Manchala (1953), Naya Rasta (1953), Saltanat (1954), Hukumat (1954), Veer Rajputani (1955), Mastani (1955), Raj Kanya (1955), Naqab Posh (1956), Talwar Ka Dhani (1956), Badal Aur Bijli (1956), Kal Kya Hoga (1958), and many more. In 1953 he starred in S.M. Yusuf’s family drama Anand Bhawan (1953) with Trilok Kapoor and Nigar Sultana. The same year he starred in Hazaar Raaten (1953) with Rehana, Agha, and Bipin Gupta.
Among his other popular films are Madari (1959), Chandramukhi (1960), Banjarin (1960), Zabak (1961), Parasmani (1963), Mehbooba (1965), Mahabharat (1965), and Nawab Sirajuddaullah (1967).
The Superstar of Mythologocal Films
In 1953, he starred in Raman B. Desai’s “Naag Panchami (1953),” opposite Nirupa Roy, which went on to become a big hit. With the success of the film he became a favourite in mythological films and continued to work in many memorable films like Shiv Ratri (1954), Sati Madalasa (1955), Navratri (1955), Sati Naag Kanya (1956), Sati Anusuya (1956), Jai Ambe (1957), Chandi Pooja (1957), Naag Mani (1957), Ram Hanuman Yuddha (1957), Pati Parmeshwar (1958), Maya Machhindra (1960), Madan Manjari (1961), Amrit Manthan (1961), and many more.
In 1960s he transitioned into character roles but continure to do important role in mythological filsm. Some of his later films include Sati Naari (1965), Shankar Sita Ansuya (1965), Brahma Vishnu Mahesh (1971), Shri Krishna Leela (1971), Naag Panchami (1972), Hanuman Vijay (1974), Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), Jai Dwarkadheesh (1977), Gopal Krishna (1979), Shankar Parvati (1979), Badrinath Dhaam (1980), Mahabali Hanuman (1981), Sant Singaji (1984), and Maya Bazar (1984).
Songs picturised on him, such as “Meri yaad me tum na aansu bahana” from “Madhosh” and “Thane Kajaliyo Kanalayun Mhare Naina Men Ramalyun” from “Veer Durgadas,” are remembered to this day. In his career, he worked in over 100 films. His last film was Nal Damyanti (1988).
Manhar Desai passed away on February 25, 1992 in Bombay.
Karan Dewan on IMDB
