Ashok Kumar Ganguly (b. 1911)
Hindi star and producer; nicknamed Dadamoni. Born in Bhagalpur, Bihar; the son of a lawyer and deputy magistrate. Originally called Kumudlal Kunjilal Ganguly. Grew up in Khandwa. Briefly studied law in Calcutta, then joined his mentor and future brother-in-law, Shashadhar Mukherji, at Bombay Talkies, first as laboratory assistant. He was cast in the lead opposite Devika Rani in Jeevan Naiya and Achhut Kanya. Acted in several notable films with her and then with Leela Chitnis (the hits Bandhan, Kangan and Jhoola). After Himansu Rai’s death (1940), he enjoyed the protection of Mukherji, who co-managed the studio with Devika Rani. Broke through as the Bogartian journalist in the Abbas-scripted Naya Sansar. Other classic roles include the title role in Mehboob’s Humayun and the double role of magistrate and playboy in Afsana. His most famous role was in Kismet as the gracefully cigarette-smoking anti-hero, showing that Hindi cinema had quickly assimilated Hollywood’s film noir style. Set up Filmistan (1943) with S. Mukherji, Gyan Mukherjee and Rai Bahadur Chunilal. He later returned to Bombay Talkies as production chief. Directed some of their films (e.g. Eight Days) but never took the official credit. Joined with his brothers Kishore and Anup Kumar in the comedies Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi. In the 60s freelanced as character actor, often playing a sympathetic parent (e.g. Mili). According to Tapan Sinha, with whom he first acted in Hatey Bazarey, ‘he was the first to apply “normal” acting in our industry; until Ashok Kumar we had jatra-style acting or screen acting that followed theatrical trends. [H]e is the man who showed that film acting is something else. He began to speak and to behave normally.’ He excelled in Robin Hood-type roles with sparse dialogues and his way of holding a cigarette in Kismet became a trade-mark. He anchored the TV soap Humlog and appeared in many TV serials. His image is a generic icon virtually autonomous from the plot, at first representing Bombay Talkies’ version of Indian modernity and then underpinning Filmistan’s commitment to the mass entertainment formula.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1936: Jeevan Naiya; Achhut Kanya; Janmabhoomi; 1937: Izzat; Prem Kahani; Savitri; 1938: Nirmala; Vachan; 1939: Kangan; 1940: Azad; Bandhan; 1941: Anjaan; Jhoola; Naya Sansar; 1943: Angoothi; Kismet; Najma; 1944: Chal Chal Re Naujawan; Kiran; 1945: Begum; Humayun; 1946: Eight Days; Shikari; Uttara Abhimanyu; 1947: Saajan; Chandrasekhar; 1948: Padmini; 1949: Mahal; 1950: Adhi Raat; Khiladi; Mashaal; Nishana; Samadhi; Sangram; 1951: Afsana; Deedar; 1952: Betaab; Bewafa; Jalpari; Kafila; Naubahar; Poonam; Raag Rang; Saloni; Tamasha; 1953: Nagma; Parineeta; Shamsheer; Sholay; 1954: Baadbaan; Lakeeren; Naaz; Samaj; 1955: Bandish; Sardar; 1956: Bhai Bhai; Ek Hi Raasta; Inspector; Shatranj; 1957: Bandi; Ek Saal; Jeevan Saathi; Mr X; Sheroo; Talaash; Ustad; 1958: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi; Farishta; Howrah Bridge; Karigar; Night Club; Ragini; Savera; Sitaron Se Aage; 1959: Baap Bete; Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane; Daaka; Dhool Ka Phool; Kangan; Naach Ghar; Nai Raahein; 1960: Aanchal; Kala Admi; Kalpana; Kanoon; Masoom; Hospital; 1961: Dark Street; Flat No. 9; Warrant; 1962: Aarti; Bezubaan; Burma Road; Hong Kong; Isi Ka Naam Duniya Hai; Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath; Naqli Nawab; Private Secretary; Raakhi; Ummeed; 1963: Aaj Aur Kal; Bandini; Grihasthi; Gumrah; Mere Mehboob; Meri Soorat Teri Aankhen; Ustadonke Ustad; Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke; 1964: Benazir; Chitralekha; Dooj Ka Chand; Phoolon Ki Sej; Pooja Ke Phool; 1965: Shevatcha Malusara; Adhi Raat Ke Baad; Akashdeep; Bahu Beti; Bheegi Raat; Chand Aur Suraj; Naya Kanoon; Oonche Log; 1966: Afsana; Dadi Maa; Mamata; Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai; Toofan Mein Pyar Kahan; 1967: Jewel Thief; Meharbaan; Bahu Begum; Nai Roshni; Hatey Bazarey; 1968: Aabroo; Ashirwad; Dil Aur Mohabbat; Ek Kali Muskayi; Sadhu Aur Shaitan; 1969: Aradhana; Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool; Bhai Bahen; Do Bhai; Inteqam; Paisa Ya Pyar; Pyar Ka Sapna; Satyakam; 1970: Jawab; Maa Aur Mamta; Purab Aur Paschim; Safar; Sharafat; 1971: Adhikar; Door Ka Rahi; Naya Zamana; Ganga Tera Pani Amrit; Hum Tum Aur Woh; Kangan; Pakeezah; Guddi; 1972: Rani Mera Naam; Anuraag; Dil Daulat Duniya; Malik; Raakhi Aur Hathkadi; Sa Re Ga Ma Pa; Sazaa; Victoria No. 203; Zameen Aasmaan; Zindagi Zindagi; 1973: Bada Kabutar; Dhund; Do Phool; Hifazat; Taxi Driver; 1974: Do Aankhen; Dulhan; Khoon Ki Keemat; Paise Ki Gudiya; Prem Nagar; Ujala Hi Ujala; Badhti Ka Naam Daadhi; 1975: Love in Bombay; Akraman; Chhotisi Baat; Chori Mera Kaam; Dafaa 302; Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka; Mili; Uljhan; 1976: Aap Beeti; Arjun Pandit; Barood; Bhanwar; Ek Se Badkhar Ek; Harfan Maula; Mazdoor Zindabad; Rangila Ratan; Shankar Dada; Santan; 1977: Anand Ashram; Anurodh; Chala Murari Hero Banne; Dream Girl; Hira Aur Patthar; Jadu Tona; Khatta Meetha; Mastan Dada; Prayashchit; Safed Jhooth; Premi Gangaram; 1978: Anmol Tasveer; Anpadh; Apna Khoon; Chor Ke Ghar Chor; Dil Aur Deewar; Do Musafir; Mehfil; Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan; Tumhare Liye; 1979: Bagula Bhagat; Guru Ho Jaa Shuru; Janata Havaldar; Amar Deep; Salaam Memsaab; 1980: Khwab; Aakhri Insaaf; Aap Ke Diwane; Judaai; Khubsoorat; Nazrana Pyar Ka; Sau Din Saas Ke; Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki; Takkar; Jyoti Bane Jwala; 1981:Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi; Jyoti; Jail Yatra; Maan Gaye Ustad; Yeh Kaisa Nasha Hai; Shaukeen; 1982: Sambandh; Anokha Bandhan; Chor Mandli; Dial 100; Dushmani; Heeron Ka Chor; Mehndi Rang Layegi; Patthar Ki Lakeer; Dard Ka Rishta; 1983: Haadsa; Bekaraar; Farishta; Raja Aur Rana; Love In Goa; Farz Ki Keemat; Mahaan; Chor Police; Prem Tapasya; Shilalipi; Kaya Palat; Pasand Apni Apni; 1984: Hum Rahe Na Hum; Akalmand; Duniya; Grihasthi; Durga; Humlog (TV); Ram Tera Desh; 1985: Bhago Bhoot Aaya; Ek Daku Shaher Mein; Tawaif; Phir Aayi Barsaat; 1986: Amma; Inteqam Ki Aag; Pyar Kiya Hai Pyar Karenge; Shatru; Qatl; Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan (TV); Pyar Ki Jeet; Woh Din Aayega; Bhim Bhawani (TV); 1987: Awaam; Hifazat; Mr India; Watan Ke Rakhwale; Jawab Hum Denge; 1988: Inteqam; 1989: Clerk; Sachaai Ki Taaqat; Mamata Ki Chhaon Mein; Maut Ki Sazaa; Dana Pani; Majboor; 1991: Hamla; 1994: Yuhi Kabhi; 1995: Jamla Ho Jamla.