Balraj Sahni Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Birth Name: Yudhishthir Sahni

Profession(s): •Actor •Writer

Famous For: His method acting and appearance in films such as ‘Do Bigha Zameen’ (1953) and ‘Garm Hava’ (1973)

Date of Birth: 1 May 1913 (Thursday)

Birthplace: Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, British India (now Pakistan)

Age (at the time of death): 59 Years

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Nationality: • British Indian (1913-1947) • Indian (1947-1973)

Hometown: Mumbai

Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian

Age: 59 Years

Check Out Other Celebrities Biography

EDUCATION

School: • Arya Samaj Gurukul • Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School (DAV)

College/University: • Government College University, Lahore • Government Gordon College, Rawalpindi

Educational Qualification: • B.A. Hindi • M.A. English

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters – 178 cm in meters – 1.78 m in feet & inches – 5’10”

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Marital Status (at the time of death): Married

Wife/Spouse: • Damayanti Sahni (1936 – 1948) (deceased due to amoebic dysentery; actress and social activist) • Santosh Chandhok (1949–1973) (writer)

Children: Son – 1 • Parikshit Sahni (actor, writer) Daughter(s) – 2 • Shabnam Sahni • Sanober (step-daughter)

Parents: Father – Harbans Lal Sahni (import businessman) Mother – Lakshmi Devi (homemaker)

Siblings: Brother – Bhisham Sahni (famous writer, playwright, actor)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: Hindi Film – Insaaf (1946) Assamese Film – Era Bator Sur (1956) Punjabi Film – Satluj De Kandhe (1964)

Awards, Honours: Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Award • 1945 – Best Art Direction in the Hindi language for Shakuntala • 1968 – Best Actor In a Supporting Role in Hindi language for Aasra • 1975 – Most Outstanding Work Of The Year in Hindi language for Garm Hava Padma Shri • 1969 – For outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema Soviet Land Nehru Award • 1969 – For Mera Rusy Safarnama

OTHER INFORMATION

Last Film: Jallian Wala Bagh (1977) as “Udham Singh”

Last Play: Bapu Ki Kahega (1973)

Date of Death: 13 April 1973

Place of Death: Mumbai, India

Death Cause: Cardiac arrest

Religious Views: Atheist Note: Although, he was born in a family of Arya Samaj followers, he turned away from religion and became an atheist.

Political Inclination: Communist Party of India

Hobbies: Reading, Writing

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Balraj Sahni was an influential figure in Indian cinema, known for both his remarkable acting skills and his literary contributions. With a rich filmography that spans over 100 films, Sahni established himself as an actor who often gravitated towards roles imbued with social messages. His dedication to portraying nuanced characters in films like “Dharti ke Lal” (1946), “Hum Log” (1951), “Do Bigha Zamin” (1953), “Kabuliwala” (1961), and “Garam Hava” (1973) showcased his commitment to social realism. He became a household name not only for his performances but also for his ability to resonate with audiences through the stories he chose to tell, often encapsulating the struggles of the common man.

Born into a multilingual environment, Sahni was proficient in several languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati. His educational journey began at Arya Samaj Gurukul, but after expressing concerns about the quality of education there, he transitioned to D.A.V. School. Balraj’s affinity for storytelling blossomed during his time at Government College, Lahore, where he began writing short stories that were published in college journals such as ‘Ravi.’ This passion for writing continued to flourish throughout his life, reflecting his deep-seated love for narrative and expression.

Before fully embracing the arts, Sahni initially worked in his father’s import business in 1934. His career took a pivotal turn when he ventured into journalism and launched ‘Monday Morning’ in Lahore in 1937, although the publication struggled to find success. Following his move to Kolkata with his wife, Damyanti, he began contributing humorous articles to a pictorial weekly, and it was during this time that he penned the charming children’s tale, ‘Dhapor Shankh.’ Despite the modest income from writing, Sahni sought inspiration at Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan, where he was encouraged to write in Punjabi. This collection of experiences enriched his artistic sensibilities and ultimately guided him back to India, where he joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) in 1943.

Sahni’s cinematic journey began with his debut in the Hindi film “Insaaf” in 1946, quickly followed by several notable films that showcased his versatility. His role in “Do Bigha Zamin” in 1953, for instance, required him to pull a rickshaw in the sweltering heat of Kolkata, leaving him physically exhausted but deeply connected to the character he portrayed. His commitment to authenticity was evident in every role he undertook, winning accolades and awards, including the first Filmfare Award for Best Film for “Do Bigha Zamin.” Despite his remarkable successes, personal tragedies, such as the untimely death of his wife, Damyanti, at the age of 28, profoundly affected him, leaving an indelible mark on both his personal and professional life.

Balraj Sahni’s legacy extends beyond his film career. He was a founding member of the All India Artists Association and a contributor to Punjabi literature through magazines like Preetlari. Even as he navigated the complexities of fame, he remained grounded in his beliefs; he famously rejected a Rajya Sabha seat, later expressing regret for missing the opportunity to travel across India and gain deeper insights into people’s lives. Sahni’s journey in the arts was not just a career but a lifelong commitment to understanding and portraying the human experience, from his early writings and theatrical pursuits to his impactful film roles. His passing in 1973 marked the end of an era, but his contributions continue to be celebrated, as evidenced by a postal stamp issued by the Government of India in 2013 to honor his legacy during the centenary of Indian cinema.

—

Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.