Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Biography
Kanhaiyalal was born in Varanasi into a theatrical family. His father, Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, owned a drama company but disapproved of his son’s interest in acting. Undeterred, Kanhaiyalal began working backstage and gradually transitioned into small stage roles. After his father's death, he moved to Bombay to pursue a career in cinema—initially aspiring to become a writer and director. However, fate had other plans, and he made his screen debut as an extra in Sagar Ka Sher. He rose to national and international fame for his iconic portrayal of the scheming moneylender Sukhilala in Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), one of Indian cinema’s most legendary villains. He had originally played the same role in Aurat (1940), making him the first Indian actor to reprise a character in a remake 17 years later. Mother India also earned the distinction of being India’s first official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best International Feature Film—cementing Kanhaiyalal’s performance in global film history. Known for his mastery of negative and elderly roles, Kanhaiyalal acted in over 100 films including Ganga Jamuna, Upkar, Apna Desh, Dushman, and Grahasti. He also wrote dialogues and lyrics for films like Sadhana. His cinematic legacy lives on through the 2022 documentary Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, produced by his daughter Hemaa Singh. TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad
Known For
Mother India
1957
Hum Paanch
1980
Diwana
1967
Neelam
1945
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
1978
Dost
1974
Insaan
1952
Biradari
1966
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
1977
Jeevan Mrityu
1970
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
1963
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
1969
Filmography
Mother India
as Sukhilala · 1957
Hum Paanch
as Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav · 1980
Diwana
as Kaka · 1967
Neelam
· 1945
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
as Pandit Shyam Sunder · 1978
Dost
as Gadibabu · 1974
Insaan
· 1952
Biradari
as Rammurthy 'Dudhwala' · 1966
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
· 1977
Jeevan Mrityu
as Jagat Narayan · 1970
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
as Rahmat · 1963
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
· 1969
Malhar
· 1951
Ram Aur Shyam
· 1967
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
· 1967
Gharana
· 1961
Banphool
as Muninji · 1971
Heera
as Dhaniram · 1973
Gunga Jumna
as Kallu · 1961
Daku Aur Jawan
· 1978
Bandhan
· 1969
Upkar
· 1967
Ek Hi Raasta
as Banke · 1939
Himalay Ki Godmein
as Ghoghar Baba · 1965
Meri Bhabhi
· 1969
Son of India
as Paro's dad · 1962
Jadu Tona
· 1977
Naukari
as Hari · 1954
Grahasti
as Station Master Ram Swarup · 1963
Doli
· 1969
Daadi Maa
· 1966
Gaban
· 1966
Chirag
· 1969
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
as Kundanlal · 1970
Ghunghat
as Saroj's Father · 1960
Hum Log
as Lalaji / Haricharandas · 1951
The Test
as Pandit Tarkalankar · 1960
Apna Desh
as Sevaram · 1972
Noor Mahal
· 1965
Oonche Log
as Master Gunichand · 1965
Daag
· 1952
Aurat
· 1967
Sitara
· 1980
Sahara
as Chaudhary Gaman Singh · 1958
Zindagi
· 1964
Lal Haveli
as Chacha · 1944
Naata
· 1955
Bharosa
as Raunaklal · 1963
Mr. Sampat
as Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala · 1952
Ram Rajya
· 1967
Shri Krishnarjun Yudh
as Narad · 1945
Ramayani
· 1945
Buzdil
· 1951
Bahut Din Hue
as Pujari · 1954
Rishte Naate
· 1965
Duniyadari
as Mevalal Sahukar · 1977
Jeet
as Thakur Kalyan Singh · 1949
Dost
as Lobhi Chand · 1944
Aurat
as Sukhilala · 1940
Gramophone Singer
· 1938
Aasra
as Ticket Examiner · 1941
Gaali
· 1944
Nai Roshni
as Mohan · 1941
Radhika
as Mohant · 1941