Ashok Kumar, a seasoned actor revered as one of the greatest of his era, marked his acting debut in 1936 with the film Jeevan Naiya. Directed by Franz Osten and produced by Himanshu Rai for Bombay Talkies, the film explored the ostracism of dancing girls and featured Ashok Kumar alongside Devika Rani. His multifaceted talents were showcased as he not only acted but also sang the famous song Koi Humdum Na Raha, contributing to the film’s overall success.
Despite initially aspiring to become a lawyer like his father, Ashok Kumar’s journey into the film industry began when he started as a sound engineer at Bombay Talkies. Exposure to various production departments paved the way for his acting career, culminating in the opportunity to work in Jeevan Naiya.
Subsequently, Ashok Kumar became a prominent figure in Hindi cinema, delivering remarkable performances in films such as Prem Kahani, Nirmala, Bandhan, Naya Sansar, and Zindagi. However, his career reached a historic milestone in 1943 with the release of Kismet, a drama film directed by Gyan Mukherjee. The film, produced by Bombay Talkies during World War II, made history as the first blockbuster in Hindi cinema.
Kismet featured Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti, and Shah Nawaz in lead roles, addressing bold themes such as an anti-hero character with dual roles and an unmarried girl facing pregnancy. The movie’s blockbuster success catapulted Ashok Kumar to superstardom, earning him the title of India’s first superstar. With a net gross of Rs. 1.1 crore in 1943, Kismet was recognised as an all-time blockbuster. Although its record was surpassed by Barsaat in 1949, the classic film continues to be cherished by Ashok Kumar’s fans.
His contributions to Indian cinema were acknowledged with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 1999. Ashok Kumar’s versatile and impactful career left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry, earning him a lasting legacy and the admiration of audiences even today.
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