Shekhar was an Indian actor and film producer. A leading actor in Hindi cinema during the 1950s, he starred in over 20 films which include Aankhen (1950), Chandni Chowk (1954), Musafir (1957), and Ankh Micholi (1962). Shekhar's credits as producer include Chhote Babu (1957), Aakhri Dao (1958), and Bank Manager (1959); he also acted in these films.
Apna Ghar Apni Kahani, a long-delayed project which released in 1968, marked Shekhar's final film as both an actor and a producer. He subsequently migrated to Canada, where he died in anonymity.
Life and career Shekhar was born on 8 October 1923 in Dehradun, in a family of three brothers and four sisters. He was educated in Meerut from the age of six and graduated from Agra University. Interested in acting from childhood, he worked for two years at All India Radio (AIR).
In June 1947, Shekhar travelled to Bombay during a short holiday. According to journalist Sushila Rani Patel, he met actors Motilal and Ashok Kumar, whom he admired, and the encounters encouraged him to pursue a career in films. Producer Devendra Goel subsequently cast him as the lead in Aankhen (1950), opposite Nalini Jaywant.
Following Aankhen, Shekhar appeared in Hamari Beti (1950), co-starring Motilal and Nutan, as well as in Badi Bahu and Adaa (both 1951). He subsequently demonstrated his versatility by playing dual characters with contrasting personalities in Chamkee (1952).
Among Shekhar's subsequent films were Hamdard (1953), Chandni Chowk (1954), Darwaza (1954), and Musafir (1957). His female co-stars during this period included Nimmi, Meena Kumari, Shyama, Suchitra Sen, Nutan and Kamini Kaushal, while his directors included B. R. Chopra, Shahid Lateef, P. L. Santoshi and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
Shekhar later moved into film production. Journalist Deepa Gahlot writes that his acting career was relatively short-lived and that he became a producer of films including Chhote Babu (1957), Aakhri Dao (1958) and Bank Manager (1959). These films were generally well-received by critics.
His final film, Pyas, was stalled. It was eventually released in 1968 under the title Apna Ghar Apni Kahani. Gahlot writes that Shekhar was facing financial difficulties by the time of its release. He subsequently emigrated to Canada and died there in anonymity.
Reception Shekhar's early screen performances received mixed reviews. The Motion Picture Magazine, reviewing his debut in Aankhen (1950), described him as a newcomer who "looks it" and considered his facial expressions excessive, although noting that he performed better in the second half of the film. His performance in Hamari Beti (1950) received a more favourable assessment from the same publication, with the reviewer noting that Shekhar had "improved distinctly" from Aankhen and suggested that, with better direction and appropriate casting, he could develop further.
In a profile of Shekhar in Stars of The Indian Screen (1952), author Sushila Rani Patel noted that although some actors required several films to become accustomed to the medium, Shekhar performed his first leading role with considerable ease. Patel further described Shekhar as a serious actor, considering his work in Chamkee (1952) the evidence of his ability to portray contrasting characters.
Retrospectively, film historian Ashok Raj characterises Shekhar's acting style as understated and realistic, observing that he avoided excessive theatricality and was frequently cast as virtuous, ordinary young men in a series of mid-budget social films. At the same time, Raj regards Shekhar as one of the "least appreciated" leading actors of his era.
Filmography Year Title Roles Ref. 1950 Aankhen Bahurani Hamari Beti 1951 Adaa Badi Bahu Sabz Bagh 1952 Chamkee Do Raha 1953 Aas Aansoo Hamdard Naya Ghar 1954 Chandni ChowkAkbar Darwaza Sangam Toote Khilone 1955 Bindiya Chingari Shikar 1957 Abhimaan Chhote Babu MusafirAjay Sharma 1958 Aakhri DaoRaj Saxena Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala 1959 Bank Manager 1961 Hum Matwale Naujawan 1962 Ankh MicholiManohar Dilli Ka Dada 1968 Apna Ghar Apni Kahani
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