Hiralal

Biography

Hiralal Thakur, popularly known simply as Hiralal, was born on 14 March 1909 or 1910 in Lahore, then part of British India. A prominent character actor in Hindi cinema, he earned the reputation of being the 'bad man of the Indian screen' due to his impactful portrayals of antagonists. He began his cinematic journey with the silent film Safdar Jung in 1930, marking the start of a remarkable career that spanned over five decades and included at least 150 films.

Before stepping into the world of cinema, Hiralal was involved in India's freedom struggle. He became active with the Indian National Congress at the young age of 14 and was associated with key revolutionaries such as Lala Lajpat Rai and Bhagat Singh. His transition into films came in the late 1920s when director A.R. Kardar offered him a role in Safdar Jung. Hiralal took on acting as a hobby but soon realized his deep passion for the craft.

Known for his dedication to authenticity, Hiralal famously went bald to play a one-eyed character in Awara Raqasa (1931). He smoothly transitioned into talkies, debuting in Pavitra Ganga (1932), where he played dual roles. He earned critical acclaim for performances in films like Din-o-Duniya (1936) and Faisla (1947), the latter helping him refine his iconic villain persona.

During his time with the prestigious New Theatres studio in Calcutta, he matured as an actor under the direction of Hemachandra Chunder. Films such as Mera Punjab (1940) and Sipahi (1941) showcased his range and ability to convey emotional depth. After moving to Bombay in 1949, he continued playing strong negative roles in notable films like Badal (1951), Sapna (1952), Mehbooba (1954), Chandrakanta (1956), and Leader (1964).

Hiralal took immense pride in roles that challenged him intellectually and emotionally. He considered his performance in Jhoothi Kasmein (1948) to be his finest. Influenced by actors like John Barrymore and Paul Muni, he credited filmmakers like B.N. Sircar, Hemachandra Chunder, and Roop K. Shorey for shaping his craft.

On the personal front, Hiralal was born into a Punjabi family and was the younger of two siblings. He married Darparani in 1945 and had six children. He was multilingual, fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English. Tragically, his son Inder, who followed him into acting and modeling, was a victim of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 tragedy.

Despite his cinematic legacy and contributions to Indian film, Hiralal’s later years were marked by hardship. He passed away on 27 June 1981 in relative obscurity, a poignant end for a man who once dominated the screen with such commanding presence. His legacy, however, continues to live on in the annals of classic Indian cinema.