New Delhi. In the history of Indian cinema, there have been many actors who gave a new identity to the character of villain on screen. But there was also an actor who, before entering the film world, took part in the freedom struggle and later made his mark as a villain in Hindi cinema. This story is of actor Hiralal Thakur, who is counted among the famous villains of the early period of independent India.
Hiralal was born in 1912 in Lahore, now part of Pakistan. He was interested in acting since childhood. Even before coming into films, he also participated in the freedom movement. It is said that at the age of just 14, he took membership of Congress and later associated with freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai.
Film journey started in 1928
Due to his passion for acting, Hiralal started his film career in the year 1928. Her first film is said to be Shankardev Arya's Daughters of Today. This film is also linked to the early period of Pakistani cinema.
After this, he worked in the Safdarjung War in 1930. The success of the film brought Hiralal recognition as an actor. Gradually he became famous for playing villain roles in films.
Filmmakers believed in 'lucky charm'
Before the country's independence in 1947, Hiralal had worked in about 19-20 films. In these he mostly played villain roles. His popularity at that time was such that many filmmakers started considering him as their lucky charm. It was believed that the chances of success in a film in which Hiralal is seen as a villain increases.
Reached Bombay after partition of the country
After the partition of the country in 1947, Hiralal had to leave Lahore. It is said that he reached Bombay via Kolkata and settled here with his wife Darpan Rani. After this he started his second innings in Indian cinema.
His first major film as a villain in independent India is considered to be Badal of 1951. In this he played the role of a villain. After this, he worked in many Hindi films and strengthened his identity through different types of negative characters on screen.
Worked in more than 150 films
Hiralal's film career lasted for almost five decades. During this period he acted in more than 150 films. Most of his films performed well at the box office. He remained active from silent films to talkies and then till the changing era of Hindi cinema.
Hiralal and his wife Darpan Rani had six children, five sons and one daughter. After a long film innings, his last film is said to be Amitabh Bachchan's Kaalia in 1981.
Despite fame, financial crisis at the last moment
Hiralal worked in cinema for five decades and played many memorable villain characters, but the last phase of his life was very difficult. It is said that at the last moment he did not even have money left and had to face financial crisis.
In this way, the story of Hiralal Thakur reminds of that era of Indian cinema, when an artist made his own identity from the freedom movement to the film screens. This Lahore-born actor also played an important role in popularizing the character of villain in the early period of independent India.