Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- January 1, 1910
- Died
- August 14, 1982 (aged 72)
- Birthplace
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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
Filmography
Hum Paanch
Movie · as Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav
Sitara
Movie
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Movie · as Pandit Shyam Sunder
Daku Aur Jawan
Movie
Duniyadari
Movie · as Mevalal Sahukar
Jadu Tona
Movie
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
Movie
Dost
Movie · as Gadibabu
Heera
Movie · as Dhaniram
Apna Desh
Movie · as Sevaram
Banphool
Movie · as Muninji
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
Movie · as Kundanlal
Jeevan Mrityu
Movie · as Jagat Narayan
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
Movie
Bandhan
Movie
Chirag
Movie
Doli
Movie
Meri Bhabhi
Movie
Ram Aur Shyam
Movie
Diwana
Movie · as Kaka
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
Movie
Aurat
Movie
Upkar
Movie
Ram Rajya
Movie
Gaban
Movie
Biradari
Movie · as Rammurthy 'Dudhwala'
Daadi Maa
Movie
Oonche Log
Movie · as Master Gunichand
Noor Mahal
Movie
Himalay Ki Godmein
Movie · as Ghoghar Baba
Rishte Naate
Movie
Zindagi
Movie
Grahasti
Movie · as Station Master Ram Swarup
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
Movie · as Rahmat
Bharosa
Movie · as Raunaklal
Son of India
Movie · as Paro's dad
Gunga Jumna
Movie · as Kallu
Gharana
Movie
The Test
Movie · as Pandit Tarkalankar
Ghunghat
Movie · as Saroj's Father
Sahara
Movie · as Chaudhary Gaman Singh
Mother India
Movie · as Sukhilala
Naata
Movie
Naukari
Movie · as Hari
Bahut Din Hue
Movie · as Pujari
Daag
Movie
Mr. Sampat
Movie · as Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala
Insaan
Movie
Hum Log
Movie · as Lalaji / Haricharandas
Buzdil
Movie
Malhar
Movie
Jeet
Movie · as Thakur Kalyan Singh
Ramayani
Movie
Shri Krishnarjun Yudh
Movie · as Narad
Neelam
Movie
Lal Haveli
Movie · as Chacha
Dost
Movie · as Lobhi Chand
Gaali
Movie
Nai Roshni
Movie · as Mohan
Aasra
Movie · as Ticket Examiner
Radhika
Movie · as Mohant
Aurat
Movie · as Sukhilala
Ek Hi Raasta
Movie · as Banke
Gramophone Singer
Movie