Pathetic Facts

Indian movie stars born in 1920

Here are 13 famous actors from India were born in 1920:

Bharat Bhushan

Bharat Bhushan (June 14, 1920 Meerut-January 27, 1992 Mumbai) also known as Bharat Bhooshan, Late Bharat Bhushan or Baiju Bawra was an Indian actor, screenwriter and film producer. He had two children, Aparijitha Bhushan and Anuradha Bhushan.

Bhushan was known for his captivating performances in Hindi cinema during the 1940s to the 1960s. He began his acting career in 1943 with the film "Chitralekha" and went on to establish himself as one of the leading actors of his time. He was highly regarded for his portrayal of Baiju Bawra in the film of the same name, which went on to become a cult classic.

Apart from acting, Bhushan also wrote scripts and produced films. He produced and acted in the film "Barsaat Ki Raat" which was a commercial success. He also produced and wrote the script for the film "Phool Aur Patthar" which won the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1967.

Bhushan was known to be a perfectionist and worked hard to perfect his craft. He was known for his dedication to his work and was highly respected in the film industry. His contribution to Hindi cinema remains significant to this day.

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Pran

Pran (February 12, 1920 Ballimaran-July 12, 2013 Mumbai) a.k.a. Pran Kewal Sikand, Pran Krishan Sikand, Pran, Pran Sahab, Pran Sahaab, Villain of the Millennium, Pran Krishna or Pran Sikhand was an Indian actor. He had three children, Arvind Sikand, Sunil Sikand and Pinky Sikand.

Pran began his career in 1940 with a small role in the film Yamla Jat. He went on to appear in over 350 films, predominantly as a villain, and earned several awards and nominations for his performances. His menacing on-screen presence and impeccable acting skills made him one of the most sought-after actors in the Indian film industry. He was also known for his iconic dialogues and signature style, such as twirling his mustache.

Besides his acting career, Pran was also actively involved in social work and supporting charitable causes. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013 for his contribution to Indian cinema. He passed away later that year at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.

Gemini Ganesan

Gemini Ganesan (November 17, 1920 Pudukkottai-March 22, 2005 Chennai) also known as Ramaswamy Ganesan, Kadhal Mannan King of Romance, Ganesh, Gemini Ganesh, Ganeshan, Kadhal Mannan (King of Romance), Gemini Mama, Saambaar, Kadhal Mannan, King of Romance, Ganapathi Subramania Sarma, Ganapati Subramanian Sarma, "Gemini" Ganesan, "King of Romance", Gemini Ganeshan, Sambar or Ganapathi Subramania was an Indian actor and teacher. His children are called Rekha, Jaya Shreedhar, Radha Usman Syed, Narayani Ganesh, Revathi Swaminathan, Kamala Selvaraj, Sathish Kumaar Ganesan and Vijaya Chamundeswari.

Born in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, India, Gemini Ganesan started his career as a casting director in the film industry. He made his acting debut in the year 1947 with the Tamil film Miss Malini. He went on to act in over 200 movies in a career spanning five decades. Known for his charming personality and good looks, Gemini Ganesan was often referred to as the "Kadhal Mannan" or "King of Romance". He was married to four women, including the actress Savitri, with whom he had a daughter, actress Rekha. Aside from acting, he was also a trained Carnatic singer and a theater artist. Gemini Ganesan was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in the year 1971 for his contribution to Indian cinema. He passed away in Chennai at the age of 84 due to multiple organ failure.

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I. S. Johar

I. S. Johar (March 16, 1920 Talagang-March 10, 1984 Mumbai) a.k.a. Indra Sen Johar, Inder Sen Johar, Inderjeet Singh Johar, Inderjeet S Johar, I.S.Johar or I.S. Johar was an Indian actor, film director, film producer and screenwriter. His children are called Ambika Johar and Anil Johar.

He was born in Talagang, Punjab Province, British India (now in Pakistan) and began his film career in 1940 with the film "Khazanchi". Johar was best known for his comic roles in Bollywood movies such as "Kashmir Ki Kali", "Jewel Thief", "Aan Milo Sajna" and "Roti Kapada Aur Makaan". He acted in over 300 films in Hindi and Punjabi languages, as well as in English language films like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Death on the Nile". Johar was also a successful film director, having directed films like "Main Bhi Ladki Hoon" and "Hum Hindustani". In addition to his film career, he was also a writer, having penned the screenplay for the film "Johny Mera Naam". Johar passed away in Mumbai on March 10, 1984.

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Iftekhar

Iftekhar (February 22, 1920 Sialkot-March 4, 1995 Nellore) also known as Ifftikar, Iftikar, Iftekar, Iftekhar Khan, Iftakhar, Iftakar, Ifthekhar, Iftikhar, Iftkhar or Iftekhairul Islam Chowdhury was an Indian actor.

Iftekhar began his career in the film industry as a background extra in the early 1940s. He got his first big role in the 1952 film 'Shabisthan' and went on to act in more than 400 films in his career spanning over four decades.

He was mostly known for his roles as police officers and other law enforcement officials, which earned him the title of 'the most ubiquitous cop in Bollywood', although he also played a variety of other roles. Some of his notable performances can be seen in films such as 'Waqt', 'Deewar', 'Don', and 'Sholay'.

In addition to his acting career, Iftekhar also served as a member of the Parliament in India's Rajya Sabha during the 1960s. He was honored with the Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in 1990 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

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Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar (April 7, 1920 Varanasi-December 11, 2012 La Jolla) also known as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ravi Shakar, pandit, Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, Pandit Ravishankar, Ravi Shanker, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Robindra Shankar Chowdhury, Ravi Shankar, KBE or Ravishankar was an Indian composer, musician, film score composer, actor and film director. His children are called Norah Jones, Anoushka Shankar and Shubhendra Shankar.

Ravi Shankar was an iconic figure in bringing Indian classical music to the world stage. He was a master of the sitar and was known for his unique style of playing. Shankar was born into a Bengali Brahmin family and began his music training at a young age with his guru, Allauddin Khan. He later joined the Indian People's Theatre Association and composed music for their productions.

In the 1950s, Shankar began touring internationally and achieved great success performing in Europe and the United States. He collaborated with several renowned musicians, including George Harrison of the Beatles, and introduced the sitar to Western audiences. Shankar also composed music for films such as Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi.

Shankar was a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, which is India's highest civilian award. He was also awarded an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

Shankar continued to perform and teach until his death in 2012 at the age of 92. His influence on Indian classical music and his contributions to world music continue to be celebrated today.

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Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay

Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay (June 16, 1920 Varanasi-September 26, 1989 Kolkata) also known as Hemant Kumar, Nagin, Hemonto Kumar Mukhopaddhae, Late Hemant Kumar Mukherjee, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Late Hemanta Mukherjee, Hement Kumar Mukerji, Hement Kumar, Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee, Hemant Kumar Mukherjee, Hemanta Mukherji, Shri Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Hemantakumar Mukhopadhyay, Hemantakumar, Hemanta Mukherjee or Hemanta was an Indian singer, film score composer, film producer and actor. He had two children, Jayant Mukherjee and Ranu Mukherjee.

Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay was a versatile artist who is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian music. He began his career as a playback singer in Bengali films in the 1940s, and went on to sing in several other Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, and Oriya. Hemanta Kumar was known for his unique and soulful voice, which was equally suited to singing romantic ballads and philosophical songs.

Apart from singing, Hemanta Kumar was also a talented composer and producer. He composed the music for several Bengali and Hindi films, including the critically acclaimed Aandhi and Bees Saal Baad. He also produced and directed a few films, including the Bengali movie Jiban Trishna.

Hemanta Kumar received several awards for his contributions to Indian music, including the Padma Shri in 1970, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1974, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 (posthumously). He passed away in 1989, leaving behind a rich legacy of music and films.

Marne Maitland

Marne Maitland (May 1, 1920 Kolkata-December 1, 1991 Tyne and Wear) also known as James Robinson Maitland, James Marne Maitland or Marne J. Maitland was an Indian actor and soldier.

Maitland was born in Kolkata, India to British parents. He spent his early years in India and was educated there before moving to Britain to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. During World War II, he served in the British Army, and was captured by the Japanese and held prisoner for three years.

After the war, Maitland resumed his acting career, appearing in numerous films and television shows. He was known for his distinctive voice and versatile acting abilities, and became a respected character actor in the British film and theater industries.

Some of Maitland's notable film credits include "The Thief of Baghdad" (1961), "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974), and "The Cat and the Canary" (1979). He also appeared in several popular TV shows, such as "The Avengers", "The Saint", and "Doctor Who".

Maitland continued to act until his death in 1991 from a heart attack at his home in Tyne and Wear, England. He was 71 years old.

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Sachin Nag

Sachin Nag (July 5, 1920 Varanasi-August 19, 1987 Kolkata) was an Indian swimmer and actor.

Despite being visually impaired since the age of 8, Sachin Nag became a successful swimmer and was known as the "Blind Dolphin" for his swift movements in the water. He won several national championships and broke several records in the 1940s and 50s.

In addition to his swimming career, Sachin Nag also pursued a career in acting. He appeared in several Hindi and Bengali films, including Satyajit Ray's "Jalsaghar" and "Aparajito." He was known for his versatile acting skills and received critical acclaim for his performances.

Sachin Nag was also a social worker and worked for the welfare of visually impaired individuals. He established a swimming training school for visually impaired children in Kolkata, which is still operational today.

In recognition of his achievements, Sachin Nag was honored with several awards, including the Padma Shri in 1957 and the Arjuna award in 1970.

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Kamal Kapoor

Kamal Kapoor (February 22, 1920 Lahore-August 2, 2010 Mumbai) a.k.a. Kamal Kapur was an Indian actor. He had one child, Kapil Kapoor.

Kamal Kapoor began his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in over 600 films in Bollywood. He was known for his versatility and played a wide range of roles, including supporting characters, villains, and comic roles. Some of his notable performances include "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960), "Dharam Veer" (1977), "Karz" (1980), and "Tridev" (1989). He also worked in television and appeared in popular shows like "Mahabharat" and "Chanakya". Despite his prolific career, he never received any major awards for his work. In addition to acting, Kapoor was also a philanthropist and actively supported various charitable causes. After his death in 2010, he was survived by his son and grandchildren.

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Michael Bates

Michael Bates (December 4, 1920 Jhansi-January 11, 1978 Cambridge) was an Indian actor and soldier. He had one child, Rupert Bates.

Michael Bates' most notable role was as Chief Petty Officer "Perce" Pertwee in the popular British sitcom "The Navy Lark". Before becoming an actor, Bates served in the British Army during World War II and was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese in Singapore. He later wrote about his experiences in his autobiography "A Miracle Missed". Bates also appeared in several films including "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Spy Who Loved Me". He died at the age of 57 from cancer.

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Bhanu Bandopadhyay

Bhanu Bandopadhyay (August 26, 1920 Bikrampur-March 4, 1983 Kolkata) also known as Bhanu Bannerjee, Bhanu Bandopadhaya, Bhanu Banerjee, Bhanu Banerji, Bhanu Bandyopadhyay, Samyamoy Bandyopadhyay or Bhanu Bandopadhyay was an Indian comedian, actor and singer. His children are called Basabi Ghatak Bandyopadhyay, Pinaki Bandyopadhyay and Gautam Banerjee.

Bhanu Bandopadhyay was a prominent figure in the Bengali film industry and is considered to be one of the finest comic actors of Indian cinema. He started his career in the theater before moving to the film industry. He made his film debut in the 1944 film "Jwar Bhata" and went on to act in more than 300 films.

Bhanu Bandopadhyay was known for his impeccable timing and his ability to make audiences laugh with his natural comic flair. Some of his notable films include "Golpo Holeo Shotti," "Bhanu Pelo Lottery," "Pashaner Kuheli," and "Dhanyi Meye."

Apart from acting, Bhanu Bandopadhyay was also a talented singer and has lent his voice to several songs in his films. He was honored with many awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the prestigious BFJA Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Bhanu Bandopadhyay passed away on March 4, 1983, leaving behind a rich legacy in Bengali cinema. His unique style of comedy continues to inspire young actors and comedians in India today.

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T. Chalapathi Rao

T. Chalapathi Rao (December 22, 1920 Vuyyuru-February 22, 1994 Chennai) a.k.a. Tatineni Chalapathi Rao, Chalapathi Rao T. or Chalapathi Rao Tatineni was an Indian film score composer, actor and film producer.

He started his career as a film score composer in the year 1953 with the Telugu film 'Bhakta Potana'. He later went on to compose music for over 200 films in Telugu and other languages like Tamil and Kannada. He also acted in a few films including 'Bhakta Potana', 'Bhakta Tukaram', 'Chandraharam' and 'Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam'. Apart from composing and acting, T. Chalapathi Rao was also a film producer and produced movies like 'Gruhapravesam', 'Budhimantudu' and 'Bhimavaram Bullodu'. He was awarded the Nandi Award for Best Music Director for the Telugu film 'Nalugu Stambalata' in the year 1982. T. Chalapathi Rao passed away on February 22, 1994, leaving behind a prolific legacy in the Indian film industry.

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