Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Acting • Born 1910-01-01 – Died 1982-08-14
Biography
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
Filmography
64 credits
Mother India
Movie • 1957
Sukhilala
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
Movie • 1969
Zindagi
Movie • 1964
Gaban
Movie • 1966
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
Movie • 1970
Kundanlal
The Test
Movie • 1960
Pandit Tarkalankar
Naata
Movie • 1955
Dost
Movie • 1974
Gadibabu
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Movie • 1978
Pandit Shyam Sunder
Ram Aur Shyam
Movie • 1967
Son of India
Movie • 1962
Paro's dad
Diwana
Movie • 1967
Kaka
Duniyadari
Movie • 1977
Mevalal Sahukar
Grahasti
Movie • 1963
Station Master Ram Swarup
Gunga Jumna
Movie • 1961
Kallu
Heera
Movie • 1973
Dhaniram
Apna Desh
Movie • 1972
Sevaram
Hum Paanch
Movie • 1980
Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav
Oonche Log
Movie • 1965
Master Gunichand
Noor Mahal
Movie • 1965
Biradari
Movie • 1966
Rammurthy 'Dudhwala'
Banphool
Movie • 1971
Muninji
Jadu Tona
Movie • 1977
Naukari
Movie • 1954
Hari
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
Movie • 1963
Rahmat
Ramayani
Movie • 1945
Sahara
Movie • 1958
Chaudhary Gaman Singh
Sitara
Movie • 1980
Bandhan
Movie • 1969
Ghunghat
Movie • 1960
Himalay Ki Godmein
Movie • 1965
Ghoghar Baba
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
Movie • 1967
Bahut Din Hue
Movie • 1954
Pujari
Chirag
Movie • 1969
Daadi Maa
Movie • 1966
Aurat
Movie • 1967
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
Movie • 1977
Hum Log
Movie • 1951
Lalaji / Haricharandas
Daag
Movie • 1952
Lal Haveli
Movie • 1944
Chacha
Jeet
Movie • 1949
Thakur Kalyan Singh
Doli
Movie • 1969
Upkar
Movie • 1967
Mr. Sampat
Movie • 1952
Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala
Daku Aur Jawan
Movie • 1978
Meri Bhabhi
Movie • 1969
Rishte Naate
Movie • 1965
Aurat
Movie • 1940
Sukhilala
Bharosa
Movie • 1963
Raunaklal
Nai Roshni
Movie • 1941
Mohan
Jeevan Mrityu
Movie • 1970
Jagat Narayan
Dost
Movie • 1944
Lobhi Chand
Gaali
Movie • 1944
Shri Krishnarjun Yudh
Movie • 1945
Narad
Aasra
Movie • 1941
Ticket Examiner
Radhika
Movie • 1941
Mohant
Gramophone Singer
Movie • 1938
Neelam
Movie • 1945
Buzdil
Movie • 1951
Malhar
Movie • 1951
Insaan
Movie • 1952
Gharana
Movie • 1961
Ek Hi Raasta
Movie • 1939
Banke
Ram Rajya
Movie • 1967