By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
Ashok Kumar, popularly called Dadamoni, was a versatile actor, director, occasional singer and co-owner of Filmistan Studios, Andheri in Mumbai. He was eldest in the family comprising four children- Kishore Kumar being the youngest.
Awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award and two Filmfare Awards for the same film, the actor worked in many memorable movies like ‘Achhute Kanya’, ‘Howrah Bridge’, ‘Bhai Bhai’ ‘Grehasti’ , ‘Gumraah’, ‘Kanoon’ , ‘Mere Mehboob’, ‘Chitralekha’ , ‘Jewel Thief’, ‘Pakeezah’ (1972) ‘ Shaukeen’ to mention only some. His “Kismet”(1943) grossed ten million (present value about 75 crores) opposite Devika Rani, wife of Himanshu Rai. It was said to be the first blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema. Actress Anuradha Patel is daughter of his sister. I met the actor on the sets of ‘Return of Jewel Thief’ in 1995, then aged 84.
Bestowed with Padma Shri (1962), Padma Bhushan (1999) National Award & 2 Filmfare Awards for his contribution to Hindi cinema.
