Balraj Sahni was an actor with the talent for stealing the show and capturing the maximum applause. His contribution to Punjabi literature is equally important

by Paramjit Singh

Birth anniversary on May 1

Balraj Sahni was a highly talented, sincere and serious actor. He was an actor with the talent for stealing the show and capturing the maximum applause. He was born on May 1, 1913, in Rawalpindi . His father, Harbans Lal Sahni, was a staunch Arya Samaji with a strong dislike for acting.

His childhood name was Yudhishtar, which he later changed to Balraj. Since his early school days, he had a taste for literature. He not only did MA in English literature from Government College , Lahore , but also contributed exhaustively to the college magazine, Raavi. Although his father was against acting, he kept on acting in skits and one-act plays during his college days.

The plaque in Sahni’s honour at Govt College Lahore.

Photo by Amarjit Chandan. April 2010

After the completion of his studies, he became a cloth merchant, and lent a helping hand to his father in extending his family business. A few months later, he went to Shanti Niketan near Calcutta and served there as a teacher for two years under the guidance of Tagore. Then he moved to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sewa Gram Ashram, and after having a brief stay there, he joined the BBC in London serving for four years as a Hind announcer. Later on his return to India , he got associated with the Communist Party of India and its cultural front Indian People’s Theatre Association (Ipta) in Bombay in various stage plays along with his wife Damyanti.

The plays served as a firm ground for his acting career. Then one day he switched over to acting in films. His debut film was Justice, whereas he gained recognition. In his second film, Dharti Ke Lal, which was directed by KA Abbas, he played the role of a young man who, in spite of all odds, stands boldly against social injustice.

Balraj Sahni & Leela Naidu. A still from Anuradha

After Dharti Ke Lal, Balraj gave a number of super hits to the film industry. Being a versatile and talented actor, he delivered several hits. Among his more than 100 blockbusters, the films that are laudable and cannot be forgotten include Hum Log, Footpath, Do Bigha Zameen, Aulaad, Jawab, Hira Moti, Garam Kot, Kathputli, Pardesi, Seema, Raahi, Devar Bhabi, Anuradha, Parineeta, Chhoti Behan, Anpadh, Kabuliwala, Haqiqat, Sangharsh, Ek Phool Do Maali, Neel Kamal, Waqt, Do Raste, Hanste Zakham, Duniya, Chhoti Bahu, Humraaz, Pavittar Paapi, Garam Hawa and Mere Humsafar.

Apart from being a great actor, he was a well-known Punjabi author also. His most famous writings are Mera Pakistani Safarnama, Mera Roosi Safarnama, Cinema te Stage, Purab ke Bhai, Meri Filmi Atamkatha and Meri Gair-Jazbati Diary, Kaamey.  

Sahni was the recipient of many prestigious awards and honours. He was awarded the Padmashri for his exemplary contribution to the Indian cinema. He was a man with a great heart and was a generous benefactor. He always preferred signing films with good scripts and significant roles. Money was not his priority.

As far as his family life was concerned, he married Damyanti in 1936, but she passed away in 1948.

Later on, he married Santosh. His son Parikshat is also a noted actor. On April 13, 1973, he died of heart failure. With him died his dream of leading retired life in Preet Nagar founded by Gurbakhsh Singh.

Stalwarts of Punjabiyat

From left Mohinder Singh Randhawa, Balraj Sahni and Mohan Singh the poet.

Chandigarh . c 1973. Photographer unknown

[Unedited version of this article appeared in The Tribune. Chandigarh . Saturday, April 24, 2010]