Bhagwan Dada

• Name — Bhagwan Dada • Birth Name — Bhagwan Aabaji Palav • Born — 1 August 1913 • Birthplace — Amravati, Bombay State, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India • Died — 4 February 2002 • Place of death — Mumbai, Maharashtra, India • Occupation — Actor Producer Director

Bhagwan Dada was born in 1913 as Bhagwan Abhaji Palav in Amravati, Maharashtra. He was the son of a Mumbai textile mill worker and was obsessed with films. Bhagwan Dada hailed from a Marathi family. He worked as a labourer, but dreamt of acting in films. He got his break with bit roles in silent films and got totally involved with the studios. He learned film-making and at one stage used to make low-budget films (in which he arranged for everything including the design of costumes and arranging meals for the cast) for Rs. 65,000.

• Illustration — Bhagwan Dada Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, popularly known as Bhagwan dada, mainly due to his love for wrestling, made his debut in the silent era with the film Criminal. He co-directed his first film Bahadur Kisan with Chandrarao Kadam in 1938. From 1938 to 1949, he directed a string of low-budget stunt and action films that were popular with the working classes. He usually played a naive simpleton. One of the notable films that he made during this period was the Tamil film Vana Mohini (1941) that starred M. K. Radha and Sri Lankan actress Thavamani Devi. In 1942, as part of a scene, he had to slap actress Lalita Pawar hard. He accidentally slapped her too hard, which resulted in facial paralysis and a burst left-eye vein. After three years of treatment, Pawar was left with a disabled left eye. He turned producer in 1942 with Jagruti Pictures, purchased some land and set up Jagriti Studios in Chembur in 1947. Because of advice from Raj Kapoor, he turned to making a social film called Albela, starring Bhagwan and Geeta Bali, and featuring music by his friend Chitalkar, or C. Ramchandra. The songs of the film, in particular "Shola jo bhadke" are still remembered. Albela was a huge hit. After Albela, Bhagwan got C. Ramchandra and Geeta Bali together again in Jhamela (1953), where he tried to recreate the formulaic success of Albela with little success. He also directed and acted in Bhagam Bhag in 1956.

After that, Bhagwan did not have any more hits and eventually had to give up producing and directing films. He sold his 25-room waterfront bungalow in Juhu and his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week). He took whatever roles he could get, but apart from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), Chori Chori (1956) and Gateway of India (1957), none were roles of note, and he eventually took on bit parts in which he did his famous dance (made even more famous by Amitabh Bachchan using it as his default dance step). Most of Bhagwan's associates left him in his time of need, apart from C. Ramchandra, Om Prakash and lyricist Rajinder Krishan, who continued to meet him even in his chawl. Bhagwan died of a massive heart attack at his residence in Dadar on 4 February 2002 at the age of 88.

In 2016, a Marathi movie Ekk Albela released which was a biopic of the actor.

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1931 — Bewafa Ashq • 1935 — Katil Katar • Himmat-e-Marda • 1936 — Bharat Ka Lal • 1938 — Bahadur Kisan — Also Director • 1939 — Gunehgaar • 1942 — Sukhi Jeevan • Zindagi • 1943 — Zaban • Badla — Also Director • 1944 — Bahadur • 1945 — Ji Haan • Nagma-e-Sahra — Altamash — Also Director • 1946 — Dosti • 1947 — Bahadur Pratap • Matwale • Shake Hands • 1948 — Jalan • Lalach • Mala The Mighty • Matlahi • Tumhari Kasam • 1949 — Bachke Rehna — Also Director • Bhedi Bungla • Jigar • Bhole Piya • Bigde Dil • Jeete Raho • Joker • Khush Raho • Pyaar Ki Raat • Roop Lekha • Shauqeen • 1950 — Achchaji • Actor • Babooji — Also Director • Bhole Bhale • Bakhshish • 1951 — Actor • Aflatoon • Albela — Pyarelal — Also Writer, Producer and Director • Damaad — Chamak • 1952 — Baghdad • Bhule Bhatke • Goonj • Sindbad The Sailor • 1953 — Char Chand • Shamsheer • Jhamela — Also Writer, Producer and Director • Rangeela • 1954 — Halla Gulla • 1955 — Bandish — Balloon Seller — Guest Appearance as the performer of the song "Le Lo Ji Hamare Gubbare Pyaare Pyaare" • Chhabila • Deewar • Flying Man • Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje — Badlu • Oonchi Haveli • Pyaara Dushman — Also Producer and Director • 1956 — Bhagam Bhag — Bhagwan "Bhaggu" — Also Writer, Producer and Director • Char Minar • Chori Chori — Bhagwan • Kar Bhala • Makkhee Choos • Mr. Lambu • Passing Show — Also Director • Sheikh Chilli • 1957 — Aadhi Roti • Agra Road — C. I. D. Inspector Khanna • Beti • Bhabhi — Stage actor • Garma Garam • Gateway of India — Seth Lakshmidas • Miss Bombay • Raja Vikram • Ustad • 1958 — Bhala Aadmi — Also Director • Sachche Ka Bol Bala • Chal Baaz • Dulhan • Mr. Q • Naya Kadam • Police — Singer-dancer at the beach — Guest Appearance as the performer of the song "Dil Ko Lagela Mohabbat Ka Chaska" • Son of Sindbad • Trolley Driver • 1959 — Chacha Zindabad • Duniya Na Mane — Bhagwan (previously known serially by the aliases Sohan, Mohan, Ram, Shyam and Harnam) • Forty Days • Kangan — Gopal • Lal Nishan • Mohar • O Tera Kya Kehna • 1960 — Bhakt Raj • Diler Hasina • Nakhrewali • Rangeela Raja • Road No. 303 • Zameen Ke Tare — Buddhu • Zimbo Shaher Mein • 1961 — Lucky Number • Ram Lila • Salaam Memsaab • Sapan Suhane — Bhagwan • Shola Jo Bhadke — Also Director • Stree • Teen Ustad • Wazir-e-Azam • 1962 — Aalha Udal • Baghdad Ki Raaten • Madam Zapatta • Pathan • Rocket Girl • Tower House — Ajay • 1963 — Awara Abdulla • Baghi Shehzada • Dekha Pyaar Tumhara • Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai — One of the main Qawwali singers — Guest Appearance as one of the performers of the song "Tumhe Husn Deke Khuda Na Sitamgar Banaya Banaya" • Rustom-e-Baghdad • 1964 — Aandhi Aur Toofan • Hukum Ka Ekka • Magic Carpet — Sultan • Main Bhi Ladki Hoon — T. B. • Khooni Khazana • Krishnaavtar • 1965 — Bekhabar • Char Chakram • Chor Darwaza • Ham Diwane — Also Director • Khakaan • Sher Dil • Sindbad Alibaba And Aladdin — Alibaba • Tarzan And King Kong • Tarzan Comes To Delhi • 1966 — Chale Hain Sasural • Daku Mangal Singh • Duniya Hai Dilwalon Ki • La Bela — Kishan — Also Co-writer, Producer and Director • Ladka Ladki • Nagin Aur Sapera • 1967 — Albela Mastana • Baghdad Ki Raatein • Chand Par Chadayee • Chhaila Babu • Duniya Nachegi • Gunehgar • Hum Do Daku • Sangdil • 1969 — Badmash • Gunda • Intaqam — Magician Pasha • Raat Ke Andhere Mein • The Killers • 1970 — Aag Aur Daag • Choron Ka Chor • Geet — Deen Dayal's cook • Mangu Dada • Night In Calcutta • Sasta Khoon Mehnga Pyar • Suhana Safar — One of the bus passengers • 1971 — Hungama • Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon • Kathputli • Mera Gaon Mera Desh — Chhotumal • Saaz Aur Sanam • Sher-e-Watan • Shri Krishna Leela • 1972 — Aage Barho • Aan Baan — Prisoner 420 • Do Chor — Police Constable • Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara — Film Director • Raaste Kaa Patthar — Constable Bhagwan • Rani Mera Naam • Tangewala • 1973 — Banarasi Babu — Dada • Chhalia • Kuchhe Dhaage — Ram Bharose • Shareef Budmaash — Shambhu • 1974 — Apradhi — Motta • Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi — Dr. Ghoosawala • Balak Dhruv • Chori Chori • Har Har Mahadev • Imaan • Resham Ki Dori • 1975 — Andhera • Daku Aur Bhagwan • Faraar — Constable • Ganga Ki Kasam • Jaggu — Qawal • Kaala Sona — Bartender • Mazaaq • Maze Le Lo • Natak • Rafoo Chakkar — S. Manglani's secretary • Toofan Aur Bijlee • Zindagi Aur Toofan • Zorro • 1976 — Bhoola Bhatka • Ek Se Badhkar Ek • Kabeela — Durjan's victim • Sangram • Shankar Shambhu — Dhondu • 1977 — Agent Vinod — Gypsy Sardar • Chacha Bhatija • Chakkar Pe Chakkar — Bhagwanbhai • Chor Sipahee • Jay Vejay — Sher Singh's victim • Khel Khilari Ka • Ladki Jawan Ho Gayi • Mandir Masjid • Mukti • Sahib Bahadur — Hare Murari's assistant • Vishwasghaat • 1978 — Azaad — Ram Singh Bahadur • College Girl • Darwaza • Karwa Chouth • Kasme Vaade • Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki — Bhim Singh • Phandebaaz — Film Director • Toote Khilone • 1979 — Ahinsa • Arab Ka Sona: Abu Kaalia • Bin Baap Ka Beta • Heera-Moti • Jaan-e-Bahaar • Jhoota Kahin Ka • Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi • Naya Bakra • Prem Bandhan • Shikshaa • Shyamala • Taraana • 1980 — Aasha — Pinto • Beqasoor • Bombay 405 Miles — Photographer • Chambal Ki Kasam • Do Premee — Bhagwan • Ganga Aur Suraj • Jazbaat — Francis • Khoon Kharaba • Nazrana Pyar Ka • Patthar Se Takkar • Phir Wahi Raat — Gendamal • Pyaara Dushman • Taxi Chor • Yeh Kaisa Insaf? • 1981 — Aas Paas — Master Bandit's associate • Biwi-O-Biwi • Bulundi • Chhupa Chhuppi • Commander • Ek Aur Ek Gyarah • Fifty Fifty • Gehra Zakhm • Kahani Ek Chor Ki • Katilon Ke Kaatil • Kranti — Allah Rakha • Naseeb — A chef • Professor Pyarelal • Saajan Ki Saheli • Sahhas — Havildar — Bilingual; made in Bengali too • Woh Phir Nahin Aaye • 1982 — Aadat Se Majboor • Badle Ki Aag — Train Master • Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi • Dharam Kanta • Do Ustad • Honey • Kaamchor • Khush Naseeb • Meri Kahani • Rustom • Sanam Teri Kasam — Eunuch Bride • Sun Sajna • Teesri Ankh • Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon • Ustadi Ustad Se — Qawwali dancer • 1983 — Bekhabar • Bindiya Chamkegi — Havildar • Chatpati • Dard-e-Dil • Kaun Hai Who? • Nastik • Paanchwin Manzil • Pyaassi Ankhen • Siskiyan • 1984 — Asambhava • Jhutha Sach • Love Marriage • Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman • Nadaniyan • Shapath • Sunny • Tere Mere Beech Mein • Yaadgaar — Bhagwan • Yeh Desh — Harold • 1985 — Alag Alag • Babu • Ganga Ke Paar • Kali Basti — Pandu • Mera Damad — A drunkard • Lover Boy • Patthar Dil • Pyaari Bhabhi • Ramkali • 1986 — Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein • Mangal Dada • Mohabbat Ki Kasam — A dancer • Raat Ke Baad • Vidhaan • 1987 — Deewana Tere Naam Ka • Khooni Darinda • Marte Dum Tak • Mera Yaar Mera Dushman • 1988 — Biwi Ho Toh Aisi • Ganga Tere Desh Mein • Halaal Ki Kamai • Hatya • Prem Sandesh • Soorma Bhopali • Zalzala • Zulm Ko Jala Doonga • 1989 — Ajnabi Saaya • Do Yaar • Farz Ki Jung — Police Constable Pandu • Gair Kanooni • Main Tere Liye • Maine Pyar Kiya • Na-Insaafi • Nache Nagin Gali Gali • Taaqatwar — A guest at the wedding — Cameo • Tere Bina Kya Jeena • 1990 — Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri • Hum Se Na Takrana • Kasam Dhande Ki • Khatarnaak • Swarg • 1991 — Irada • Laal Paree • Numbri Aadmi • 1992 — Touhean • 1993 — Kala Coat • 1994 — Yuhi Kabhi • 1995 — Jai Vikraanta • Jhumka • Mera Damad • Paapi Farishte • 1996 — Maahir — A dancer at the bar • Sautela Bhai • Talaashi

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1968 — Bai Mothi Bhagyachi • 1975 — Jyotibacha Navas • 1977 — Banya Bapu • Bhingri • Navra Mazha Brahmachari • Ram Ram Gangaram — Gangaram's uncle • 1978 — Bhairu Pehelwan Ki Jai • Lakshmi • 1979 — Aaitya Bilavar Nagoba • Aapli Manse • 1980 — Fatakadi • Hyoch Navra Pahije • Saran Tula Bhagvanta • 1981 — Govinda Ala Re Ala • 1984 — Aali Laher Kela Kahar • Bahuroopi • Chorachya Manat Chandane • Jugalbandi • Shradha • 1986 — Bijli • Dhondi Dhondi Paani Re • 1987 — Bola Dajiba • Chhakke Panje • 1989 — Ina Mina Dika • Navra Baiko • 1992 — Sagale Sarkhech • 1993 — Anyayacha Pratikar

• Year — Film — Notes • 1940 — Jayakodi — Only Writer and Director • 1941 — Vana mohini • Raja Gopichand — Only Director

• Year — Film — Language — Role — Notes • 1956 — Dosthara — Sri Lankan • 1963 — Laakho Vanzaro — Gujarati • 1981 — Do Posti — Punjabi