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.
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
External links
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/nm0437688
Wikipedia: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15924272
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Filmography (Movies)
Hum Paanch
Character:Lala Nainsukh Prasad Srivastav
Release Date:27/11/1980
Sitara
Character:
Release Date:13/06/1980
Daku Aur Jawan
Character:
Release Date:13/07/1978
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Character:Pandit Shyam Sunder
Release Date:24/03/1978
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
Character:
Release Date:04/11/1977
Duniyadari
Character:Mevalal Sahukar
Release Date:01/01/1977
Jadu Tona
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1977
Dost
Character:Gadibabu
Release Date:12/04/1974
Heera
Character:Dhaniram
Release Date:01/01/1973
Apna Desh
Character:Sevaram
Release Date:26/05/1972
Banphool
Character:Muninji
Release Date:31/12/1971
Jeevan Mrityu
Character:Jagat Narayan
Release Date:06/01/1970
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
Character:Kundanlal
Release Date:01/01/1970
Chirag
Character:
Release Date:31/01/1969
Meri Bhabhi
Character:
Release Date:15/01/1969
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Bandhan
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Doli
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Aurat
Character:
Release Date:18/08/1967
Ram Aur Shyam
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1967
Diwana
Character:Kaka
Release Date:01/01/1967
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1967
Upkar
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1967
Biradari
Character:Rammurthy 'Dudhwala'
Release Date:04/01/1966
Gaban
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1966
Daadi Maa
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1966
Oonche Log
Character:Master Gunichand
Release Date:16/08/1965
Noor Mahal
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1965
Himalay Ki Godmein
Character:Ghoghar Baba
Release Date:01/01/1965
Rishte Naate
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1965
Zindagi
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1964
Bharosa
Character:Raunaklal
Release Date:02/09/1963
Grahasti
Character:Station Master Ram Swarup
Release Date:01/01/1963
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
Character:Rahmat
Release Date:01/01/1963
Son of India
Character:Paro's dad
Release Date:01/01/1962
Gunga Jumna
Character:Kallu
Release Date:10/11/1961
Gharana
Character:
Release Date:22/02/1961
The Test
Character:Pandit Tarkalankar
Release Date:05/08/1960
Ghunghat
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1960
Sahara
Character:Chaudhary Gaman Singh
Release Date:15/11/1958
Mother India
Character:Sukhilala
Release Date:13/02/1957
Naata
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1955
Naukari
Character:Hari
Release Date:12/10/1954
Bahut Din Hue
Character:Pujari
Release Date:19/03/1954
Mr. Sampat
Character:Seth Makhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewala
Release Date:25/12/1952
Daag
Character:
Release Date:04/07/1952
Insaan
Character:
Release Date:07/06/1952
Buzdil
Character:
Release Date:01/11/1951
Malhar
Character:
Release Date:26/10/1951
Hum Log
Character:Lalaji / Haricharandas
Release Date:14/09/1951
Jeet
Character:Thakur Kalyan Singh
Release Date:24/08/1949
Neelam
Character:
Release Date:05/10/1945
Shri Krishnarjun Yudh
Character:Narad
Release Date:01/06/1945
Ramayani
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1945
Lal Haveli
Character:Chacha
Release Date:16/12/1944
Gaali
Character:
Release Date:01/12/1944
Dost
Character:Lobhi Chand
Release Date:10/01/1944
Nai Roshni
Character:Mohan
Release Date:22/11/1941
Radhika
Character:Mohant
Release Date:07/11/1941
Aasra
Character:Ticket Examiner
Release Date:28/02/1941
Aurat
Character:Sukhilala
Release Date:02/01/1940
Gramophone Singer
Character:
Release Date:14/10/1938
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