Here are 5 famous actors from India were born in 1903:
Gopi Krishna (May 30, 1903 Kashmir-July 31, 1984) also known as Pandit Gopi Krishna was an Indian writer and actor.
He is best known for his books on Kundalini, a spiritual energy believed to be located at the base of the spine. Gopi Krishna's own experiences with Kundalini awakening inspired him to write about the topic as well as advocate for its importance in spiritual development. In addition to his writing, Gopi Krishna was also an accomplished actor, appearing in several Indian films during the 1940s and 1950s. He is widely regarded as a leading authority on Kundalini and his works continue to inspire and influence the spiritual community. Gopi Krishna's legacy includes numerous books on Kundalini, including "Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man" and "The Awakening of Kundalini." He also founded the Kundalini Research Foundation to further research and understanding of this spiritual energy.
Throughout his life, Gopi Krishna was dedicated to promoting spiritual understanding and inner growth. He believed that the awakening of Kundalini was the key to unlocking one's full potential and achieving spiritual enlightenment. Aside from his writing and acting, he also gave lectures and taught classes on Kundalini yoga and meditation. One of his most notable achievements was his role in helping to shape the modern understanding of Kundalini as a transformative energy that can lead to personal and spiritual growth. Today, Gopi Krishna is remembered as a pioneer of the Kundalini movement, and his work continues to inspire seekers of enlightenment around the world.
Pramathesh Barua (October 24, 1903 Gauripur, India-November 29, 1951 Kolkata) a.k.a. P.C. Barua, Pramatesh Chandra Barua, Pramathesh Chandra (P.C.) Barua, Prathmesh Barua or P.C.Barua was an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and cinematographer. He had three children, Deb Kumar Barua, Rajat Barua and Prasun Barua.
Barua was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and is best known for his role in 'Devdas', a film adaptation of the book by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. He also acted in a number of other films, including 'Mukti', 'Adhikar' and 'Manzil'. In addition to acting and directing, Barua also co-founded the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), an organization dedicated to promoting socially relevant drama. Despite his contributions to Indian cinema, Barua died at the young age of 48 due to a heart attack. Nonetheless, his legacy lives on and he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the early years of Indian cinema.
Barua began his career as a stage actor, but eventually transitioned into the world of cinema. He got his start in the film industry by working as an assistant to director Debaki Bose on the film 'Nagananda' in 1935. Barua then went on to direct his own films, including 'Manzil' and 'Adhikar'. However, it was his role as Devdas in the 1935 film adaptation of the book by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay that brought him widespread fame and critical acclaim.
Barua was known for his innovative approach to filmmaking, often incorporating elements of realism and social commentary into his work. He was also one of the first Indian filmmakers to experiment with sound and music in his films.
Despite his success in the film industry, Barua remained committed to social causes throughout his life. He was actively involved in the Indian independence movement and used his work in the entertainment industry as a means of raising awareness about political and social issues.
Today, Barua is remembered as a trailblazer in Indian cinema and a pioneer in the development of socially conscious and artistically innovative films. His contributions to Indian culture and history continue to be celebrated by filmmakers and audiences alike.
Yaragudipati Varada Rao (May 30, 1903 Nellore-February 13, 1973 Chennai) a.k.a. Y.V. Rao or Y. V. Rao was an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter, film producer and film editor. He had one child, Lakshmi.
Y.V. Rao was a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry and was known for his contributions to Indian cinema in the 1930s and 1940s. He began his career in the film industry as an actor in silent films and made his directorial debut with the film Vandemataram in 1930. He went on to make several successful films such as Sumangali, Vindhyarani, and Devata.
Y.V. Rao was also known for his innovative techniques and use of modern technology in filmmaking. He was one of the first directors to use a multi-camera setup for filming songs and dance sequences. His film Vindhyarani was the first Telugu film to use a playback singer. In addition to Telugu films, he also directed and produced films in Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi.
Apart from his work in films, Y.V. Rao was also a playwright and a writer. He wrote several plays and short stories in Telugu and was a member of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi. He was honored with several awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the Padma Shri in 1963.
Y.V. Rao passed away in 1973 at the age of 69 due to a heart attack. He is remembered as one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and his contributions are still celebrated today.
Y.V. Rao was born into a family of lawyers and studied law himself, but his passion for theater and film led him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He started as a stage actor before transitioning to film. Y.V. Rao's films were known for their strong heroines and social themes that addressed issues such as poverty, equality, and nationalism. He was also passionate about preserving Indian cultural heritage and often incorporated elements of mythology and folklore into his films.
In addition to his successful career as a filmmaker, Y.V. Rao was also a philanthropist and social activist. He was involved in charitable organizations and used his films to raise awareness about social issues. He founded the Andhra Cine Tone Studio in Chennai, which became a popular destination for film shoots and an important landmark of the Telugu film industry.
Y.V. Rao's legacy continues to influence Indian cinema today, and his contribution to the development of Indian films as an art form is widely recognized. His groundbreaking use of technology, innovative directing style, and focus on social issues have left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.
Hiren Bose (September 26, 1903 Kolkata-June 18, 1987 Kolkata) a.k.a. Hirendra Kumar Bose or Hiren Basu was an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, writer and film score composer.
Bose was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and started his career in the film industry in the 1920s. He acted in numerous silent films and was known for his versatile acting skills. Bose also directed and wrote the screenplay for several movies, including the critically acclaimed film "Mukti" (1937).
Apart from his work in the film industry, Bose was also a well-known writer and composed the music for many films. He was a recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1969.
Bose's legacy in Indian cinema continues to inspire upcoming generations of filmmakers and artists. His dedication to the art and craft of cinema, and his relentless pursuit of excellence, remain an inspiration to many in the industry.
In addition to his numerous accomplishments in cinema, Hiren Bose was also a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. He was a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in various protests and demonstrations. Bose was also a member of the Indian National Congress and contributed to the fight for India's freedom through his art and writings.
During his career, Bose acted in over 50 films and directed 11. He was known for his realistic and natural style of filmmaking and for his ability to bring out the best performances from his actors. Some of his other notable works include "Bharat Mata" (1931), "Vidyapati" (1937), and "Shirin Farhad" (1931).
Bose's contributions to Indian cinema were immense and he played a pivotal role in shaping the industry in its early days. He was a visionary who believed in the power of cinema to affect change and bring people together. His legacy continues to live on through his films and his impact on Indian cinema as a whole.
M. Kumar (September 23, 1903 Lucknow-) a.k.a. Kumar is an Indian actor and film director. He has one child, Haidar Ali.
Kumar began his career in the film industry as an actor in the year 1929 in the film "Prem Sanyas". He then went on to act in several other notable films such as "Achhut Kanya", "Jeevan Naiya" and "Admi". In his later years, Kumar also ventured into film direction and directed successful films like "Jhoola" and "Dil Ki Rani".
Apart from his work in films, Kumar was also actively involved in the Indian freedom struggle and was a close associate of several freedom fighters. He was a part of the Quit India movement and even went to jail for his involvement in the movement.
Kumar was known for his versatile acting skills and was often regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation. Despite facing tough times in his personal life, he continued to work in films till the late 1960s.
Even today, Kumar is remembered for his contributions to Indian cinema and is hailed as a legendary figure in the industry.
Kumar, whose real name was Abbas, was born into an affluent Muslim family in Lucknow. He received his education at St. Peter's College, Agra, and later at the Aligarh Muslim University. Kumar was a multilingual actor and worked in films not only in Hindi but also in Bengali, Marathi, and Tamil languages. He also had a career in theater and worked with renowned theater personalities like Prithviraj Kapoor and Zohra Sehgal.
Kumar's contribution to the Indian film industry was not just limited to his acting and directing skills but he also played a crucial role in bringing about several changes in the industry. He was one of the first actors who refused to play the roles of stereotypical villains and stood up against the prevalent anti-Muslim sentiment in the industry.
In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema, Kumar was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award by the government of India in 1969. In addition to this, he was also honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, in 1988.
Kumar's life and work have been the subject of several books and documentaries. In 1993, a biography titled "The Man With The Mute Scream: The Story of M. Kumar, the First Indian Talkie and the Dadamoni of Bangla Films" was published, chronicling his life and work.