Latest news with #Albela
India.com
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
India's richest actor, used to change car daily, then lost all his money, spent last days in chawl, died painful death, name was...
Before 1970s, when most Bollywood artists were more informed and educated about investing their money, stories of rags to riches and back were all too frequent. Several superstars of the past spent their final years in poverty. Let's find out who this person was. One Of The Most Influential Actors In Indian Cinema Here we are talking about a superstar from the vintage era, Bhagwan Dada , a mill worker who turned actor and filmmaker, rose to prominence with his low-budget films and unorthodox dancing techniques. Born Bhagwan Aabaji Palav , the actor later became popular as Bhagwan Dada in wrestling society where he was active for many years. In the 1930s, he followed in his father's footsteps and started working in Bombay's textile mills, but he dreamed of becoming a film star. He finally learned filmmaking and began making low-budget films, often arranging meals and designing clothes for the cast on his own. In 1938, he co-directed his debut feature film along with director Chandrarao, Bahadur Kisan . The Fame Of Bhagwan Dada By the 1940s, Bhagwan Dada gained enormous fame with succession of low-budget triumphs and action flicks that made him popular in small towns. In 1942, he also became a producer with Jagruti Productions . However, mainstream success always denied him. Bhagwan Dada made Albela in 1951, following Raj Kapoor's advice to make a social film, which became one of the year's biggest hits. His performance on Shola Jo Bhadke and O Betaji caused a sensation. Bhagwan Dada proceeded to produce blockbusters, including Jhamela and Bhagam Bhag. However, starting in the late 1950s, he was unable to recreate his success and that's when his shining phase started diminishing. The Fall Of Bhagwan Dada Bhagwan Dada lived in 25-room seafront home in Juhu during height of his fame. He also had a series of seven luxury vehicles, one for each day of the week. At the time, he was one of India's wealthiest and highest-paid performers, trailing only superstars like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand . Bhagwan Dada began to play character roles in the 1960s, but his career was limited. He eventually had to sell both his automobiles and his home. Later in life, he moved into a chawl in Dadar and spent his rest of time there. In 2002, the actor died of heart attack at age of 89 in 2002. His legacy still lives on forever with many but as the years passed new age superstars and their fame made Bhagwan Dada entirely disappeared who now remains as golden chapter of Indian Cinema.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amitabh Bachchan admired this actor. He once owned 25-room sea-facing bungalow in Mumbai but died penniless in slums
Bhagwan Dada , a celebrated name in Hindi cinema , carved a niche for himself during the golden age of Indian films. Renowned for his effortless comic delivery, exaggerated speech patterns, and a one-of-a-kind dance style, he captivated audiences across the country. His performance in the iconic film Albela turned him into a household name, establishing him as a pioneer of stylized performance in mainstream cinema. With a flair for rhythm and charm, his signature movements later served as creative inspiration for Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda, shaping the foundations of cinematic dance in India. Fame to Obscurity: A Difficult Descent Despite basking in stardom during the 1950s, Bhagwan Dada's life took a sharp downturn in his later years. The man who once commanded the spotlight and earned the admiration of millions eventually found himself in a state of neglect. He spent his twilight years confined to a cramped one-room flat in the Dadar area of Mumbai. Health complications gradually reduced him to a bedridden state, while mounting personal and financial difficulties stripped away the comforts of his former fame. A tragic fire that engulfed and destroyed the reels of his self-funded films only added to his grief, deepening the shadows over his once-glorious career. A Multifaceted Talent in Film Beyond his on-screen persona, Bhagwan Dada was a creative force behind the camera as well. He directed several films and played an integral role in shaping the artistic identity of Hindi cinema's golden era. He wasn't merely an actor who delivered punchlines and danced with flair—he was also a filmmaker who understood the pulse of his audience. However, time proved unkind, and as new faces and trends took over the industry, the man who once defined an era was quietly forgotten by the world he helped build. A Cinematic Tribute to an Overlooked Legend Years after his death in 2002 at the age of 88, the Marathi film Ekk Albela rekindled public memory of Bhagwan Dada. Released in 2016, the biopic honored his life's journey—its dazzling highs and painful lows. Actor Mangesh Desai portrayed the iconic performer, while Vidya Balan stepped into the role of Geeta Bali, adding a layer of poignancy to the narrative. Her performance not only brought sensitivity to the story but also marked her first appearance in Marathi cinema. An Enduring Influence in Indian Film History Though Bhagwan Dada's final years were clouded by hardship, his contribution to Indian cinema remains unforgettable. As Bollywood's earliest dance sensation, he transformed how movement was portrayed on screen. His legacy continues to inspire, echoing through every rhythmic step and expressive performance that graces the modern Indian film stage.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
This 1950s superstar owned a 25-room bungalow, seven imported cars; died in a chawl: ‘I was a mazdoor millionaire, it was god's way of punishing me'
The Indian film industry was quite disorganised back in the 1950s. While stars and filmmakers had started making good money, they weren't educated in how to manage their finances. In the early 1950s, Hindi movies saw the birth of a new star, Bhagwan Dada, who appeared in the hit film Albela with Geeta Bali. The film had hit songs like 'Shola Jo Bhadke,' 'Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote,' among others. But his success was short-lived, as in a matter of few years, he lost it all. In his last days, Bhagwan Dada lived in a single-room in a chawl and struggled to make ends meet. In an interview with The Illustrated Weekly of India, he said that after the success of Albela, he 'became a lakhpati.' 'I owned a studio, I bought seven imported cars for each day of the week. I had a 25-room bungalow at Juhu in my possession,' he said proudly, but immediately added that god punished him for his vices and took it all away. 'I became a sharabi kababi, gambled at cards and the race course. Drinks and women were my weakness. I was unfaithful to my wife . The truth is, I had ignored my family. Maybe it was god's way of punishing me. From a mazdoor millionaire, I became a pauper,' he said. ALSO READ | The director who launched Dharmendra, Kabir Bedi and Zeenat Aman died broke: 'Not in good shape financially or physically' Bhagwan had a modest childhood growing up in a small town of Maharashtra with his father working in a textile mill. He started working in silent movies as a junior artiste. Gradually, he landed bigger jobs in film production, and in a matter of few years, he found himself producing small films. In a bid to be more independent, he started directing and acting in those films as well. It was during this phase that he once slapped Lalita Pawar during a scene, and caused her vein to burst which gave her facial paralysis. He also found some friends in the likes of Raj Kapoor, who advised him to make a romantic musical. Bhagwan took that advice seriously and made Albela with Geeta Bali. Albela's success changed his life for the better, but things began slipping rapidly. Bhagwan produced many films after Albela, but none of them worked. To add to his misery, he was cheated by his business partners and lost all his money. He believed that he could have survived by just selling the rights to Albela, and said, 'Who knows whom the rights of Albela or any of my films belong to? Bas khel khatam, paisa hazam.' ALSO READ | Bollywood's biggest star of the 1950s became destitute, Amitabh Bachchan spotted him 'alone, unnoticed' at a bus stop: 'I drove on…' But even after he started living in a chawl, Bhagwan continued to accept smaller roles in films as he needed the money to survive. 'To keep this house going, I continue to accept every role, even if it's one scene. My only request to the producers is to send me transport, a taxi will do. I'm exhausted at the end of the shooting. I return home, drink my navtaak (quart) and go to sleep. Whatever food is served at the studio, I have,' he said. Raj Kapoor and Ashok Kumar kept checking in on him until they were alive, and Dilip Kumar would often take him for a drive, but Bhagwan had enough self respect to never accept any kind monetary help from any of his film colleagues. 'I haven't asked for monetary help from any of the film industry's welfare associations. I'm too proud to do that,' he said. Bhagwan died in 2002 at age 88 in the same one-room house in Dadar. 'It would have been good to go in a Chevrolet but rehne do, how will I know what's happening when I'm no more. No one cares,' he said. In 2016, director Shekhar Sartandel made the Marathi film Ekk Albela, the biopic of the actor, starring Mangesh Desai. Vidya Balan played a cameo in the film as Geeta Bali.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Albela: A Musical Blend of Tradition and Modernity
Albela is a music album by Yuvraj Singh (also known as CurioCity) that explores the intersection of Indian classical music and contemporary global sounds. The album combines traditional elements with modern production to present a varied listening experience. The core of Albela lies in its focus on Indian classical music. It incorporates classical ragas, folk melodies, and traditional instrumentation while also drawing from modern musical genres. The album reflects Singh's background in both traditional and contemporary music, creating a space where both can coexist. The opening track, 'Rag Bhopali,' merges instruments such as tabla and bansuri with electronic textures. This approach allows for a dialogue between older musical forms and newer soundscapes. The result is a set of compositions that aim to connect with listeners from different backgrounds and musical preferences. Some tracks in Albela are inspired by well-known classical pieces, including reinterpretations of songs like 'Sajan Aayo Re.' These tracks serve as a bridge between the past and the present, using familiar motifs in updated arrangements. The album is structured to take the listener through a sequence of moods and styles, emphasizing variety and continuity. Multiple artists contributed to Albela, bringing diverse perspectives to the album. The collaborative nature of the project is evident in the way different musical traditions and styles are woven together. This blend highlights how Indian classical music can interact with contemporary influences. Yuvraj Singh studied music composition and production at Berklee College of Music. His work reflects a technical and creative engagement with both Indian and international musical forms. Albela is one example of his interest in combining these traditions, and future projects may continue along similar lines. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
India.com
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor was born in a slum, died in slum too, worked in many films, career destroyed after..., Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar helped him, his name was..
This actor was born in a slum, died in slum too, worked in many films, career destroyed after..., Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar helped him, his name was.. This late actor was the first to introduce the concept of body doubles in the industry. He became one of the highest-paid actors during his heyday, but unfortunately had to spend his life living in a chawl. One of the legends in Hindi cinema, he was none other than Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, fondly known as Bhagwan Dada. Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, Bhagwan Dada's father worked as a textile mill worker. He wasn't keen to study, so he dropped out of school after the 4th grade. Then, he became a textile mill worker like his father. Bhagwan Dada loved watching films and wanted to be an actor. He got his first break in the industry with the film Bewafa Aashiq, with the support of his friend Baburao Pehelwan. He also worked on his skills as a filmmaker alongside acting, and co-directed his first film Bahadur Kisan in 1938. Following that, he started his own production house Jagriti Pictures and made low-budget movies under his banner. Films like Vanamohini hagam Bhag and Jhamela are considered some of his most successful projects. During that time, legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor became a mentor figure to Bhagwan Dada. He suggested him to move beyond his comfort zone, leading to the making of the film Albela. It marked a departure from his earlier, more action-oriented work. Albela is reportedly one of the most popular musicals of that era and the third highest-grossing movie of 1951. Bhagwan Dada's few films failed to thrive at the box office and he had to sell his sprawling mansion and luxurious cars for survival. He began living in a two-room chawl at Dadar. According to reports, no actor supported him during his struggling days, except Dilip Kumar. Bhagwan Dada passed away all alone at his residence on February 4, 2002 due to heart attack.
