indian cinema heritage foundation

Brahm Bhardwaj

Artists
  • Born: 1920 (..)
  • Died: 29 July, 1989
  • Primary Cinema: Hindi
  • Spouse: Kavita Bhardwaj
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Brahm Bhardwaj is a supporting actor with more than 200 films to his credit, in the course of a career spanning approximately 40 years. He left his mark with his charismatic personality, skill in dialogue delivery, and acting skills. His clear and effective voice and good pronunciation also won attention. While his talent remained largely unused by most filmmakers, directors Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Asit Sen gave him more important roles. He is known for films such as Anand (1971), Spy in Rome (1968) and Yakeen (1969). He was often seen essaying a judge or lawyer on screen, as well as a principal, doctor and police officer. 

He was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, around 1920, he came to Bombay to try his luck in films. Famous lyricists Anand Bakshi and Gulshan Bawra were his closest friends. Among his early appearances on screen was Jai Shankar (1951), followed by Kamal Amrohi’s Daaera (1953) in which he played the assistant to the doctor treating the aging and ailing husband of the character essayed by Meena Kumari. It was followed by Mastana (1954) in which he got the chance to play the impressive role of a judge. It was followed by Garam Coat (1954) in which he essayed a jewellery shop owner, Bandish (1955), and New Delhi (1956). He played a lawyer in numerous films such as Hum Sab Chor Hai (1956), Paying Guest (1957), Johnny Walker (1957), Aakhri Dao (1958), Kangan (1959), Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Hum Kahan Ja Rahe Hain (1966), Devar (1966), Diwana (1967), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), Duniya (1968), Anokhi Raat (1968), Aashirwad (1968), Aradhana (1969), Raja Rani (1973), Aap Ki Kasam (1974), Aatish (1979), Nazrana Pyar Ka (1980), and Bombay 405 Miles (1980).
He played a judge in several films such as Zakhmi Sher (1984), Balidaan (1985), Ameer Aadmi Ghareeb Aadmi (1985), Surkhiyaan (1985), Bhagwaan Dada (1986), Nazrana (1987), Mulzim (1988), Falak (1988), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988), and Gentleman (1989).

He also played a variety of character roles including an army officer in Aas Ka Panchhi (1961), a film director in Krorepati (1961), a Thakur in Bada Aadmi (1961), a doctor in Rungoli (1962), a politician in Yaadgaar (1970), a principal in Sharafat (1970), and a police commissioner in Kroadh (1990).

In many of the films that he featured in, he acted with several leading actors of the time, such as Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, and Amitabh Bachchan

Among the films he last acted in are Ram Ki Ganga (1984), Awara Baap (1985), Ustaad (1989), and Gentleman (1989). 

He is best remembered for his roles in films directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, such as Anari (1959), Anupama (1966) and Anand (1971). Though his roles were small, the excellence of his acting ability is evident. He was able to bring to life even a short role of a few minutes’ duration in the scene in Anand (1971). He appeared in the role of a saint, who has taken a vow of silence, and does not speak. The cancer-stricken Anand (Rajesh Khanna) is taken by his sister (Seema Deo) to her guru (Brahm Bhardwaj), to be blessed with a long life. He excelled in the scene in which he blesses Anand, with only his eyes mirroring emotions. 

He had a daughter named Kavita Bhardwaj, who got married and settled in England.

Brahm Bhardwaj passed away on 29 July, 1989. 

References

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/krishnakumar.sharma.5
                 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0080231/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
                 https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/actor/brahm-bhardwaj

Image courtesy: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0080231/

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