Mumbai, March 15: Time may pass, but some stars in the film industry shine eternally. One such star is Daya Kishan Sapru, fondly known as ‘Sapru’ by his fans. This veteran character actor left an indelible mark on the hearts of generations with his powerful presence and profound acting skills.
His most memorable role was that of Majhle Sarkar (Chaudhary) in the 1962 classic film “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.” Despite having few dialogues, his fierce and impactful presence made a lasting impression on audiences.
Sapru was born on March 16, 1916, into a Kashmiri Pandit family in Jammu and Kashmir. His full name was Daya Kishan Sapru. He came from a large family, with four brothers and two sisters. His father served as the treasurer for the Dogra state during Maharaja Hari Singh’s reign. The family owned two homes, one in Jammu and another in Lahore. He was educated in Urdu and Hindi but developed an interest in English, which he learned on his own. Growing up in Lahore, he also had a passion for music and worked as a contractor for a few years in Jalandhar Cantt.
The story of his entry into acting is equally fascinating. Not only was Sapru handsome, but he also possessed a powerful voice. One day, while chatting with college friends, they encouraged him to pursue a career in films. He took their advice and traveled to Pune without informing his parents. There, he met V. Shantaram, Sheikh Fatehalal, and Baburao at Prabhat Studio. This led to a small role in the Marathi film “Ramshastri” in 1944, followed by his Hindi debut in “Chand.” He initially worked as a hero alongside Monica Desai in “Lakha Rani,” earning a salary of around two to three thousand rupees a month.
Gradually, Sapru established himself in the film industry with his acting, charm, and commanding voice. He often portrayed tough judges, police commissioners, landlords, or villains. His role as Majhle Sarkar in “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” remains one of the most talked-about performances of his career. His dialogue delivery and presence in this Gurudutt film are still remembered today.
Few know that he was initially offered Ashok Kumar’s role in “Pakeezah,” but later he was cast as the villain. Other notable films include “Jewel Thief,” “Deewar,” “Heer Ranjha,” and “Mujhe Jeene Do.”
Sapru shared friendships with Dev Anand, Gurudutt, and Rahman. He would wake up at 5 AM to practice, ensuring his voice remained strong. Later, he also became a homeopathic doctor. In 1948, he married actress Hemvati, and they had three children: daughter Preeti Sapru (Punjabi-Hindi actress), son Tej Sapru (actor), and daughter Reema Rakesh Nath (scriptwriter).
Daya Kishan Sapru passed away from a heart attack on October 20, 1979, in Mumbai. He had previously battled cancer, which he overcame, but stress ultimately took his life. In his memory, Fun Republic Road in Andheri, Mumbai, will be renamed ‘Shri Daya Kishan Sapru Marg’ in 2024.
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My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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