Motilal Rajvansh (1910-65)
Hindi actor born in Simla; best known as the gentleman crook in Gemini’s Mr Sampat, based on R.K. Narayan’s famous novel, and as the tragic hero’s city friend in Bimal Roy’s 1955 version of Devdas. Played several roles as the urbane city-bred sophisticate, e.g. in Mehboob’s Taqdeer, and most notably in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anari, where his suave performance as a business magnate counterpoints Raj Kapoor’s awkward Oedipal rebellion. Also played a spectacular antipathetic role in Kardar’s Holi. Together with Sabita Devi, he formed a top 30s screen couple in Sagar’s socials, e.g. Badami’s K.M. Munshi-scripted Dr Madhurika. Later worked at Ranjit in Chandulal Shah’s Achhut, in Jayant Desai’s Diwali and Shadi and in Chaturbhuj Doshi’s Pardesi and Sasural, usually with Madhuri. Elaborated a realistic acting style relying on casual dialogue delivery, often hailed as the first example of naturalistic film acting in India. His style marked the early work of Mehboob (Jagirdar, Hum Tum Aur Woh, Taqdeer) and Kidar Sharma (Armaan, Kaliyan) and was acknowledged by Dilip Kumar as a significant predecessor. Cousin of playback singer Mukesh.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1934: Shaher Ka Jadoo; 1935: Silver King; Dr Madhurika; 1936: Jeevan Lata; Lagna Bandhan; Do Diwane; 1937: Captain Kirti Kumar; Jagirdar; Kokila; Kulavadhu; 1938: Threeb Hundred Days And After; Hum Tum Aur Woh; 1939: Aap Ki Marzi; Sach Hai; 1940: Achhut; Diwali; Holi; 1941: Pardesi; Sasural; Shadi; 1942: Armaan; Iqraar; 1943: Muskurahat; Prarthana; Pratigya; Taqdeer; Tasveer; Vijay Lakshmi; Aage Kadam; 1944: Dost; Kaliyan; Mujrim; Pagli Duniya; Raunaq; Umang; 1945: Biswi Sadi; Murti; Pehli Nazar; Piya Milan; Sawan; 1946: Phulwari; 1947: Beete Din; Do Dil; 1948: Aaj Ki Raat; Gajre; Mera Munna; 1949: Ek Thi Ladki; Lekh; Parivartan; 1950: Hanste Aansoo; Hamari Beti; Sartaj; 1952: Apni Izzat; Betaab; Kafila; Mr Sampat; 1953: Dhuan; Ek Do Teen; Jhanjhar; Pehli Shaadi; 1954: Khushboo; Mastana; Savdhan; 1955: Devdas; Shri Naqad Narayan; 1956: Bandhan; Guru Ghantal; Jagte Raho; Lalten; 1957: Ab Dilli Door Nahin; 1958: Hathkadi; Do Mastane; 1959: Anari; Paigham; 1960: Mukti; Parakh; Zameen Ke Tare; 1963: Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke; 1964: Leader; Ji Chahta Hai; 1965: Chhoti Chhoti Baatein*; Waqt; 1966: Duniya Hai Dilwalon Ki; Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai.