Here are 5 famous actors from India were born in 1904:
K. L. Saigal (April 11, 1904 Jammu-January 18, 1947 Jalandhar) a.k.a. K.L. Saigal, Saigal, Kundan Lal Sehgal, K.L., Saigal, K.L., Kundan Lal (K.L.) Saigal or Kundan Lal Saigal was an Indian singer and actor. He had four children, Madan Mohan, Nina, Bina and Durgesh Nandani.
Saigal was born in Jammu and later moved to Kolkata, where he started his career as a theatre actor and singer. He gained fame for his melodious voice and unique singing style, which blended Indian classical music with Western tunes. Saigal's songs became hugely popular in India and he is considered one of the pioneers of modern Indian music.
In addition to his singing, Saigal also acted in several Hindi and Bengali films, and is remembered for his roles in classics like "Devdas" and "Street Singer". His performances were greatly admired by audiences and critics alike. Saigal's untimely death at the age of 42 due to cirrhosis of the liver was a great loss to the Indian music and film industry.
Even today, Saigal's songs continue to be popular and are often played on the radio and at public events. He remains a cultural icon in India and is revered for his contributions to Indian music and cinema.
Chittor V. Nagaiah (March 28, 1904 Chittoor district-December 30, 1973 Chennai) also known as Chitturu Nagayya, Vuppaladadiyam Nagayya, Nagiah, V. Nagiah, Nagaiah, Uppalam Nageswaram, Naannagaaru, The Paul Muni of India or Chittor V. Nagayya was an Indian playback singer, actor, film score composer, film director, screenwriter, film producer, journalist and film editor.
He was one of the most prominent figures in the Telugu film industry in the 1930s and 1940s. Nagaiah was known for his soulful singing and his acting skills. He appeared in over 150 films in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, and was also a prolific film director. Nagaiah was the first actor to portray the character of Bhakta Prahlada on screen, which became a landmark film in Telugu cinema. He was also recognized for his social work, including his efforts to promote Indian classical music. Nagaiah received several awards for his contributions to Indian cinema and was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1964.
Jahar Ganguli (October 1, 1904 24 Parganas-November 5, 1969) also known as Jahar Ganguly or Jahar Gangopadhyay was an Indian actor.
He was an important part of the Indian film industry, particularly in Bengali cinema. Ganguli began his acting career in 1938 with the film Jamuna Puline, directed by Jyotish Banerjee. He went on to act in more than 70 films over the course of his career. Some of his notable films include Kshudhita Pashan (1949), Chirakumar Sabha (1956), and Jiban Trishna (1957).
In addition to his acting career, Ganguli was also a playwright and director. He wrote several plays and directed a number of productions, including the popular play Bicharak (1952). Ganguli was known for his versatile acting skills and his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic.
Jahar Ganguli was honored with several awards during his career, including the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1969, just before his death. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential actors of Bengali cinema and his contribution to Indian theatre and cinema is celebrated even today.
K. Narayan Kale (February 24, 1904 Maharashtra-February 20, 1974 Mumbai) a.k.a. Keshav Narayan Kale or Kale was an Indian actor, film director and screenwriter.
He started his career in the film industry as a stage actor in Marathi plays. In the 1930s, he moved to Mumbai to work in the Hindi film industry. He first worked as a screenwriter and later made his directorial debut with the film "Bhakta Damaji" in 1936. He went on to direct several successful films including "Chandrasena" (1939), "Badrinarayan" (1940), and "Pujarin" (1949).
Kale was known for his versatility as an actor and appeared in over 200 films in a career spanning two decades. He played a variety of roles ranging from comedic to serious and was considered one of the most talented actors of his time. Some of his memorable films include "Sant Tukaram" (1936), "Sukhi Jeevan" (1940), and "Bhakta Kuchela" (1961).
Apart from his work in the film industry, Kale was also a social activist and worked with several organizations to promote education and healthcare in rural areas. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1965 for his contribution to Indian cinema and society.
Abdur Rashid Kardar (October 2, 1904 Lahore-November 22, 1989 Mumbai) a.k.a. A.R. Kardar, Miyanji, Abdul Rashid Kardar or A. R. Kardar was an Indian film director, actor, film producer and writer.
He was one of the pioneers of the Indian film industry, and is credited with directing and producing some of the most iconic and memorable films of Indian cinema. Kardar started his career in the film industry in the early 1930s, and went on to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of Indian cinema. He is credited with launching the careers of many successful actors and actresses, and was famous for his ability to spot talent and bring out the best in them. Some of his most memorable films include 'Kismat' (1943), 'Shahjehan' (1946), and 'Dillagi' (1949). Despite facing financial difficulties throughout his career, Kardar remained dedicated to his craft and continued to produce films that were both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. He was widely respected by his peers and colleagues in the film industry, and his contributions to Indian cinema will always be remembered.