'''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.

[[Actor]]

[[Producer]]