Master Bhagwan (b. 1913)

Hindi and Marathi actor and director; born Bhagwan Abhaji Palav in Bombay, the son of a mill worker. After devoting himself to body- building, he started in the silent era with his long-term partner, Chandrarao Kadam, in G.P. Pawar-directed stunt movies. Co-directed first feature with Pawar (1938), then producer (1942) with Jagriti Pics and Bhagwan Art Prod.; eventually owner of Jagriti Studios, Chembur (1947). Success of Albela established him briefly as a major post-Independence producer. Starred as a dancer and naive simpleton in many stunt, adventure and comedy movies. Acting style associated mainly with the elaboration of a minimalist dance movement which arguably became a major behavioural influence on Hindi film audiences (e.g. Bachchan’s dances, which today determine how people move on the streets in wedding or religious processions, bear the mark of Bhagwan’s influence). Balraj Sahni wrote that while ‘Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar are [m]uch more popular than he is, they do not enjoy the popularity among the poorer classes that Bhagwan Dada does. [The working class] sees in him their own image and what endears him to them is that he, a fellow member of the proletariat, should make a beauty like Geeta Bali fall in love with him.’ (Sahni, 1979). Since the early 70s, he has been largely relegated to cameo roles and comedy routines.

FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1931: Bewafa Ashq; 1933: Daivi Khajina; Pyari Katar; Jalta Jigar; (All St); 1935: Himmat-e-Mard; 1936: Bharat Ka Lal; 1937: Chevrolet 1936; 1938: Bahadur Kisan*(co-d C. Kadam); 1939: Criminal*; Jayakkodi*; 1941: Raja Gopichand*; Vanamohini*; Premabandhan; 1942: Sukhi Jeevan*; 1943: Badla*; 1944: Bahadur*; 1945: Nagma-E-Sahra*; Ji Haan; 1946: Nargis; Dosti*; 1947: Matwale*; Shake Hands*; Bahadur Pratap*; Madadgaar; 1948: Jalan*; Lalach*; Matlabi*; Tumhari Kasam; 1949: Bachke Rehna*; Bhedi Bungla*; Bhole Bhale*; Jigar*; Bhole Piya; Bigde Dil; Jeete Raho; Joker; Khush Raho; Pyar Ki Raat; Roop Lekha; Shaukeen; 1950: Achhaji; Aflatoon; Baksheesh; Dushmani; Jodidar; Babuji*; Jungle Man; Rangile Musafir; 1951: Albela*; Actor; Bade Saheb; Bhola Shankar; Damaad; Gazab; Ram Bharose; 1952: Baghdad; Bhoole Bhatke; Daryai Lutera; Goonj; Sinbad the Sailor; 1953: Char Chand; Rangila*; Jhamela*; Shamsheer; 1954: Halla Gulla*; 1955: Deewar; Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje; Oonchi Haveli; Chhabila; Pyara Dushman*; 1956: Badshah Salamat; Char Minar; Chori Chori; Mr Lambu; Sheikh Chilli; Passing Show*; Bhagambhag*; Kar Bhala*; 1957: Adhi Roti; Agra Road; Beti; Coffee House; Garma Garam; Gateway of India; Raja Vikram; Ustad; Uthavala Narad; 1958: Don Ghadicha Dav; Chaalbaaz; Dulhan; Mr Q; Naya Kadam; Son Of Sinbad; Bhala Admi*; Sachche Ka Bol Bala*; 1959: Chalis Din; Chacha Zindabad; Duniya Na Mane; Kangan; Lal Nishan; Madam XYZ; Mohar; O Tera Kya Kehana; 1960: Diler Hasina; Nakhrewali; Rangila Raja; Road No. 303; Zimbo Comes To Town; 1961: Salaam Memsaab; Sapan Suhane; Shola Jo Bhadke*; Lucky Number; Stree; Teen Ustad; Zamana Badal Gaya; 1962: Baghdad Ki Raatein; Madam Zapata; Rocket Girl; Tower House; 1963: Awara Abdulla; Magic Box; Rustom-e-Baghdad; Dekha Pyar Tumhara; 1964: Aandhi Aur Toofan; Magic Carpet; Hukum Ka Ekka; Main Bhi Ladki Hoon; Tarzan and Delilah; 1965: Hum Diwane*; Adventure Of Robin Hood and Bandits; Bekhabar; Flying Man; Khakaan; Sher Dil; Sinbad Alibaba and Alladdin; Tarzan and King Kong; Tarzan Comes To Delhi; Chor Darwaza; 1966: Chale Hain Sasural; Duniya Hai Dilwalon Ki; Labela*; Daku Mangal Singh; Ladka Ladki; Veer Bajrang; 1967: Albela Mastana; Chhaila Babu; Duniya Nachegi; Gunehgaar; Hum Do Daku; Trip To The Moon; Arabian Nights; 1968: Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan; Bai Mothi Bhagyachi; 1969: Goonda; Inteqam; The Killers; Raat Ke Andhere Mein; 1970: Geet; Mangu Dada; Choron Ka Chor; Night in Calcutta; Suhana Safar; Lakshman Resha; 1971: Aag Aur Daag; Guddi; Hangama; Joi Bangla Desh; Mera Gaon Mera Desh; Tere Mere Sapne; 1972: Putli Bai; Aan Baan; Tangewala; Sultana Daku; Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara; Do Chor; Raaste Ka Patthar;1973: Taxi Driver; Chhalia; Barkha Bahar; Banarasi Babu; Chori Chori; Shareef Badmash; Mahasati Savitri; 1974: Badhti Ka Naam Daadhi; Balak Dhruv; Imaan; Tarzan Mera Saathi; Aarop; Badla; Paap Aur Punya; Aparadhi; Dulhan; 1975: Faraar; Jaan Hazir Hai; Kala Sona; Maze Le Lo; Natak; Zindagi Aur Toofan; Daku Aur Bhagwan; Ek Gaon Ki Kahani; Jaggu; Mazaaq; Raffoo Chakkar; Zorro; Bhoola Bhatka; Shantata! Khoon Jhala Aahe; 1976: Naag Champa; Sangram; Alibaba; Toofan Aur Bijli; 1977: Banyabapu; Bhingri; Navara Mazha Brahmachari; Ram Ram Gangaram; Chakkar Pe Chakkar; Jai Vijay; Khel Khiladi Ka; Agent Vinod; Mandir Masjid; Saheb Bahadur; Mukti; 1978: Azad; Darwaza; Kasme Vade; Khoon Ka Badla Khoon; Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki; Sampoorna Sant Darshan; Ganga Sagar; Sawan Ke Geet; Bhairu Pahelwan Ki Jai; 1979: Aitya Bilavar Nagoba; Apli Manse; Ahimsa; Do Hawaldar; Gawah; Heera Moti; Naya Bakra; Jaan-e- Bahar; Raja Harishchandra; 1980: Asha; Karwa Chouth; Mera Salaam; Phatakadi; Hyoch Navara Pahije; Sharan Tula Bhagavanta; Aap To Aise Na The; Badrinath Dham; Bombay 405 Miles; Bulandi; Do Premi; Ganga Aur Suraj; Jyoti Bane Jwala; Khoon Kharaba; Nazrana Pyar Ka; Phir Wohi Raat; Yeh Kaisa Insaaf; Choravar Mor; 1981: Chanwa Ke Take Chakor; Ganga Aur Sarju; Biwi-o-Biwi; Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi; Fifty- Fifty; Gehra Zakhm; Qatilon Ke Qatil; Kranti; Lubna; Sahas; Ustadi Ustad Se; Do Posti; Shitala Mata; Commander; Chhupa Chhupi; Govinda Ala Re Ala; Laath Marin Tithe Pani; 1982: Honey; Ali Angavar; Preet Na Jaane Reet; 1983: Dard-e-Dil; Bindiya Chamkegi; Aao Pyar Karen; Bekhabar; Jai Baba Amarnath; Kaise Kaise Log; 1984: Bhatke Rahee; Bhool; Love Marriage; Mera Dost Mera Dushman; Meri Kahani; Jhootha Sach; Yaadgaar; Ali Lahar Kela Kahar; Bahurupi; Chorachya Manaat Chandani; Gulchhadi; 1985: Pyari Bhabhi; 1986: Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein; Bijli; Dhondi Dhondi Pani De; 1987: Bola Dajiba; Chhakke Panje; Prem Karuya Khullam Khulla; Diwana Tere Naam Ka; Tarzan and Cobra; 1988: Halaal Ki Kamai; Khatarnak; 1989: Ilaaka; Ina Mina Dika; Navara Baiko; 1990: Naache Nagin Gali Gali; 1992: Sagale Sarkhech.