Krishnakant (b. 1922)
Gujarati and Hindi actor and director born in Howrah, Bengal, as Krishnakant Maganlal Bukhanwala. Son of a textile engineer; educated in Surat and in Bombay. Obtained a diploma in radio and electrical engineering (1940); then joined the Rooptara Studio in Bombay, working in the sound department. Assisted Nitin Bose for five years, then worked with Aravind Sen on Muqaddar (also acting in it) and with Subodh Mukherjee (Paying Guest, 1957). First major acting role in Phani Majumdar’s Andolan; other notable roles are a paralytic in Amiya Chakravarty’s Patita and the villain in Shakti Samanta’s Detective. Left films in the late 50s to concentrate on Gujarati theatre work (e.g. Pravin Joshi’s Manas Name Karigar) mainly with Harkrishen Mehta’s group. Returned to cinema in the early 70s; turned to direction with Dakurani Ganga, adapting Mehta’s novel Pravaha Paltavyo. Directed a series of Gujarati films based on plays or films from other languages: e.g. Visamo based on Harkrishen Mehta’s play, in which he acted the role of an old teacher, recalling Paranjpe’s Oon Paoos (1954) and Panthulu’s School Master (1958). Also adapted Anant Mane’s Manini (1961) as Maa Dikri. With these films he introduced a novel style of urban entertainment to Gujarati cinema, although relying on conventional reformist melodrama plots about the joint family, the generation gap and the exploitation of women. Also noted actor on Hindi and Gujarati television.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1943: Paraya Dhan; 1950: Chor, Muqaddar; Mashaal; 1951: Andolan; 1952: Daag; Tamasha; Zalzala; 1953: Patita; 1954: Baadbaan; Dhobi Doctor; Naukri; 1955: Faraar; Subse Bada Rupaiya; Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali; Seema; 1956: Sailaab; Jagte Raho; Patrani; Sudarshan Chakra; Dhola Maru; 1957: Agra Road; Bandi; Begunah; Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke; Yahudi Ki Ladki; Bhabhi; 1958: Ghar Sansar; Detective; Howrah Bridge; Mehndi; Parvarish; Post Box 999; Delhi Ka Thug; 1959: Insaan Jaag Utha; Satta Bazaar; Madhu; Ghar Ghar Ki Baat; Jaalsaaz; 1960: Jaali Note; 1961: Tanhaai; 1963: Jivno Jugari; Vanraj Chavdo; 1969: Do Raaste; Kanku; 1971: Duniya Kya Jaane; Hathi Mere Saathi; Pyar Ki Kahani; Sharmilee; Paraya Dhan; 1972: Mere Jeevan Saathi; Do Chor; Annadata; Gunsundari No Ghar Sansar; 1973: Gaai Aur Gori; Suraj Aur Chanda; Mr Romeo; Manchali; 1974: Parinay; Ajnabi; Trimurti; Vardan; Aarop; 1975: Anari; Kala Sona; Sant Surdas; 1976: Deewangee; Koi Jeeta Koi Haara; Sajjo Rani; Dakurani Ganga*; 1977: Jagriti; Kulavadhu*; 1978: Khoon Ki Pukar; Visamo*; Maa Dikri*; Ghar Sansar*; 1979: Sonba Ane Rupba*; 1980: Maniyaro*; Meru Mulande*; Jog Sanjog*; 1981: Hotel; 1982: Prem Lagna*; Dharmo*; Jawabdaar*; 1983: Main Awara Hoon; Poojana Phool; 1986: Teesra Kinara*; Chhota Admi*; 1988: Kharidar.