'''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.

[[Actor]]