Amitabh Bachchan called him 'ahead of times'. He had all - money, fame and stardom - but he died penniless

Economic Times

11-06-2025

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About Motilal
Motilal's offscreen lifestyle
Long before method acting became a buzzword and natural performances were celebrated, one man quietly set the gold standard for onscreen authenticity in Indian cinema Motilal Rajvansh . A name that once echoed with admiration from legends like Dilip Kumar Amitabh Bachchan , and Naseeruddin Shah, today survives mostly in footnotes of film history . But exactly 50 years after his passing on June 17, the legacy of Motilal remains as compelling as ever.Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Motilal's genius came from none other than Amitabh Bachchan, who, in the foreword of The Hundred Luminaries of Hindi Cinema, acknowledged just how far ahead of his time Motilal truly was. Bachchan reflected that despite the lack of widespread acclaim, Motilal's natural style and remarkable versatility would have easily earned him a prominent place in today's cinematic landscape, arguably surpassing even many of his contemporaries and successors.Born in Shimla, Motilal starred in over 60 films, with more than half of them featuring him in lead roles. But ironically, it is his smaller, nuanced performances that continue to linger—be it the charismatic Chunni Babu in Devdas , the suave antagonist in Anari or Paigham, or the unforgettable title role in Mr Sampat, where he played a smooth-talking conman with unmatched flair. With effortless screen presence and a dialogue delivery style that leaned into realism rather than theatrics, he was decades ahead of his time. Critics and peers agree: he should be studied in acting schools and celebrated in retrospectives, not lost in cinematic amnesia.His acting wasn't his only bold move. Motilal defied the conventions of his time, both onscreen and off. At a time when most actors leaned into melodrama, he introduced casual, conversational dialogue delivery. Motilal brought a lightness and charm and wasn't afraid of bold, socially progressive roles either, as seen in Achhut, where he played an untouchable—a role applauded even by Mahatma Gandhi.Motilal's offscreen life, however, was as dramatic as some of his films. A lover of high-stakes hobbies—horse racing, flying, gambling, cricket—he lived with flamboyance and emotional intensity. His long-standing romance with Shobhna Samarth and friendship with actress Nadira often grabbed headlines, sometimes more than his artistry. Stories of his humour, quips, and larger-than-life personality made him a favourite of journalists. But beneath the charm was a man burdened by illness, bad luck, and ultimately, he died penniless.In his final years, Motilal devoted himself wholeheartedly to Chhoti Chhoti Batein—a deeply personal film that he wrote, produced, and directed. Quiet, introspective, and rooted in the everyday, the project was far removed from commercial formulae, reflecting his artistic convictions more than box-office ambitions. Motilal passed away before the film's release. Yet his performance in it remains one of his finest—subtle, moving, and unmistakably his own. In 2013, the Indian government issued a stamp in his honour while celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema.