1910-01-01 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Kanhaiyalal was born in Varanasi into a theatrical family. His father, Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, owned a drama company but disapproved of his son’s interest in acting. Undeterred, Kanhaiyalal began working backstage and gradually transitioned into small stage roles. After his father's death, he moved to Bombay to pursue a career in cinema—initially aspiring to become a writer and director. However, fate had other plans, and he made his screen debut as an extra in Sagar Ka Sher. He rose to national and international fame for his iconic portrayal of the scheming moneylender Sukhilala in Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), one of Indian cinema’s most legendary villains. He had originally played the same role in Aurat (1940), making him the first Indian actor to reprise a character in a remake 17 years later. Mother India also earned the distinction of being India’s first official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best International Feature Film—cementing Kanhaiyalal’s performance in global film history. Known for his mastery of negative and elderly roles, Kanhaiyalal acted in over 100 films including Ganga Jamuna, Upkar, Apna Desh, Dushman, and Grahasti. He also wrote dialogues and lyrics for films like Sadhana. His cinematic legacy lives on through the 2022 documentary Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, produced by his daughter Hemaa Singh. TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad
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Sitara | 1980-06-13 | |
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Hum Paanch | Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav | 1980-11-27 |
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सत्यम शिवम सुंदरम | Pandit Shyam Sunder | 1978-03-24 |
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Daku Aur Jawan | 1978-07-13 | |
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Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein | 1977-11-04 | |
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Duniyadari | Mevalal Sahukar | 1977-01-01 |
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जादू टोना | 1977-01-01 | |
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Dost | Gadibabu | 1974-04-12 |
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हीरा | Dhaniram | 1973-01-01 |
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Apna Desh | Sevaram | 1972-05-26 |
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बनफूल | Muninji | 1971-12-31 |
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Jeevan Mrityu | Jagat Narayan | 1970-01-06 |
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समाज को बदल डालो | Kundanlal | 1970-01-01 |
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चिराग | 1969-01-31 | |
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डोली | 1969-01-01 | |
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Meri Bhabhi | 1969-01-15 | |
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Bandhan | 1969-01-01 | |
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Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke | 1969-01-01 | |
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Dulhan Ek Raat Ki | 1967-01-01 | |
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औरत | 1967-08-18 | |
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उपकार | 1967-01-01 | |
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Diwana | Kaka | 1967-01-01 |
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Ram Aur Shyam | 1967-01-01 | |
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Daadi Maa | 1966-01-01 | |
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बिरादरी | Rammurthy 'Dudhwala' | 1966-01-04 |
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Gaban | 1966-01-01 | |
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Himalay Ki Godmein | Ghoghar Baba | 1965-01-01 |
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Rishte Naate | 1965-01-01 | |
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नूर महल | 1965-01-01 | |
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ऊँचे लोग | Master Gunichand | 1965-08-16 |
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Zindagi | 1964-01-01 | |
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Bharosa | Raunaklal | 1963-09-02 |
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ग्रहस्ती | Station Master Ram Swarup | 1963-01-01 |
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Meri Surat Teri Ankhen | Rahmat | 1963-01-01 |
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Son of India | Paro's dad | 1962-01-01 |
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गंगा जमुना | Kallu | 1961-11-10 |
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Ghunghat | 1960-01-01 | |
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परख | Pandit Tarkalankar | 1960-08-05 |
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Sahara | Chaudhary Gaman Singh | 1958-11-15 |
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मदर इण्डिया | Sukhilala | 1957-02-13 |
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Naata | 1955-01-01 | |
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नौकरी | Hari | 1954-10-12 |
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Bahut Din Hue | Pujari | 1954-03-19 |
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दाग | 1952-07-04 | |
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Mr. Sampat | Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala | 1952-12-25 |
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हमलोग | Lalaji / Haricharandas | 1951-09-14 |
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Jeet | Thakur Kalyan Singh | 1949-08-24 |
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Shri Krishnarjun Yudh | Narad | 1945-06-01 |
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Ramayani | 1945-01-01 | |
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Lal Haveli | Chacha | 1944-12-16 |
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दोस्त | Lobhi Chand | 1944-01-10 |
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Gaali | 1944-12-01 | |
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Radhika | Mohant | 1941-11-07 |
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Nai Roshni | Mohan | 1941-11-22 |
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Aasra | Ticket Examiner | 1941-02-28 |
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औरत | Sukhilala | 1940-01-02 |
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Gramophone Singer | 1938-10-14 |
