Uma Devi Khatri...THE DEATH OF ACTRESS TUN TUN Press Release, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 25 November 2003. (11 July 1923 – 24 November 2003), popularly known by her screen name Tun Tun, was an Indian playback singer and actress-comedian. She is often referred to as "Hindi cinema's first-ever comedienne".
Early life Uma was born on 1923 in a small village near Amroha District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Her parents and brother were murdered for land arrogate. Just two days before her demise, she had been interviewed by film critic and historian Shishir Krishna Sharma. She said, "I don't remember who my parents were and how they looked, I would be two to two and half years when they passed away, I had a brother eight or nine years old whose name was Hari, I just remembered that we were living in a village named Alipur. One day brother was killed and left for maid servant to relatives in exchange for two times meal, that time I was four or five years old".
Career She arrived in Bombay (Mumbai) at the age of 23, having run away from home, and knocked on composer Naushad Ali's door. She told him that she could sing and that she would throw herself in the ocean if he didn't give her a chance. He auditioned her, and hired her on the spot. She made her debut as a solo playback singer in Nazir's Wamiq Azra (1946).Obituary – Tun Tun The Guardian, 8 January 2004. She soon signed a contract with the producer-director A.R. Kardar, who used Naushad as music director, and went on to make a place for herself amidst music stalwarts like Noor Jehan, Rajkumari, Khursheed Bano and Zohrabai Ambalewali.
In 1947, she had huge hits with "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-Beqarar Ka", "Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Kar" and "Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Se Jhoom", which she sang for actress Munawar Sultana in A.R. Kardar's Dard (1947), again under the music direction of Naushad, she also sang a duet; "Betaab Hai Dil Dard-e-Mohabat Ke Asar Se", with Suraiya. In fact, a gentleman from Delhi was so enamoured by her song "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon", that he stayed with her in Bombay. They got married, and the couple had two daughters and two sons; her husband, whom she called Mohan, died in 1992.Tun Tun (Uma Devi)—a tribute The Tribune, 13 December 2003.
The success of Dard meant that she next received Mehboob Khan's Anokhi Ada (1948), which again had two hit numbers, "Kahe Jiya Dole" and "Dil Ko Lagake Humne Kuch Bhi Na Paya". This brought her into the league of highly rated playback singers. She reached her peak as a vocalist in director S.S. Vasan's Chandralekha (1948) made by Gemini Studios, Madras. Her seven songs, which include hits such as "Saanjh Ki Bela" remain her most accomplished work in her singing career, though signing for the film also meant a breach of contract with producer-director Kardar, which led to her dwindling fortunes in the industry.
Moreover, in the following years, owing to her older style of singing and limited vocal range, she found it difficult to compete with the rising singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Suman Kalyanpur etc. Eventually Naushad suggested that she take up acting, because she had a very bubbly personality and wonderful comic timing. She was inspired and awestruck by Dilip Kumar and had a wish, maintaining it stubbornly that in her first film, she would act alongside him. Knowing about this crazy love for Dilip Kumar, Naushad asked Dilip Kumar, who was his friend, to cast her in one of his films, and she appeared in Babul (1950) with him, which had Nargis as the lead actress; it is he who renamed her "Tun Tun" to suit her comic persona, the name stayed with her, and a comedic legend was born.
She went on to act in Guru Dutt's classics such as Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) and Pyaasa (1957).Unfair fun The Tribune, 27 August 2006. In the 1960s and 1970s, she was a permanent comic relief in numerous Bollywood films; a few years down the line, she most notably starred with Amitabh Bachchan in Namak Halaal (1982), a Prakash Mehra blockbuster.
In her career spanning five decades, she acted in about 198 films in Hindi/Urdu and other languages like Punjabi etc., pairing with top comedy actors of her times such as Bhagwan Dada, Agha, Sunder, Mukri, Dhumal, Johnny Walker and Keshto Mukherjee. She was last seen in Hindi films in Kasam Dhande Ki (1990).
Owing to her popularity, the name Tun Tun has become synonymous with obese women in India.
Personal life Uma Devi met Akhtar Abbas Kazi, an Excise Duty Inspector, who helped and inspired her. At the time of the India-Pakistan partition, Kazi moved to Lahore, Pakistan. She was fed up with the circumstances of the time and she moved to Bombay to pursue singing in movies. Kazi also eventually moved to Bombay, where they got married in 1947. She used to refer to her husband as "Mohan".
Death She died on 23 November 2003 in Andheri, Mumbai,Tun Tun lifeinlegacy.com. after a prolonged illness at the age of 80 and is survived by her four children and four grandchildren.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1990Kasam Dhande KiPrema1989ShehzaadeHitler's Bride 1988Ek Aadmi1987Deewana Tere Naam Ka1986Khel Mohabbat KaHouse Maid1985Lover BoyPhoolmati1985Ghar Dwaar1985SalmaLady Singer – "Mumtaz's marriage"1984Shorgul1984Kamla1984Raja Aur RanaHavaldar's wifeas Tuntun1984Unchi Uraan1983CoolieMother of 7 babies1983HaadsaLadies Health Club Member1983Painter BabuKoyal1982Heeron Ka Chor1982Disco DancerBrideuncredited1982Meharbaani1982Haathkadi1982Apradhi Kaun?Nurse1982Maine Jeena Seekh LiyaMiss Tun Tun1982Namak HalaalFemale guest with a dog1982SamraatWoman aboard shipuncredited1982Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya1981Sannata1981Biwi-O-BiwiMrs. Singh's friend – Faints at swimming pool uncredited1981Saajan Ki SaheliMaria1980Andhera1980 QurbaniFat woman in car1980Gori Dian JhanjranBulbul's mother1980Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki1980Yari Dushmani1979Baton Baton MeinImaginary Nancy's mother1979Sarkari MehmaanBank employee1979Lok ParlokSundari1978Dil Aur DeewarMadame1978Phandebaaz1978Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon SeFat lady in the theatre1978NasbandiTonica1978Ankh Ka Tara1978Heeralal Pannalal1978Premi Gangaram Punjabi movie as Dano1978Satyam Shivam SundaramFat Lady1977Pandit Aur PathanChampakali1977Aap Ki KhatirDancer/Singer1977Kabita1977Tyaag1977Agar... IfChampakali (Agarwal housemaid)1977AmaanatReferee1977Chacha BhatijaKesto's bride1977Do SholayGuest Appearance1977Gayatri Mahima1977PaapiLaila 1977Taxi TaxieMother of 9 children 1977Aafat1976Vir MangdavaloGujarati film1976 Hera PheriMrs. Dhaniram1976 NaginMaid1976Aap BeatiCustomer at Lord's Shoes1976Bhagwan Samaye Sansar Mein (as Tuntun)1976 Bundal BaazRajaram's customer1976Rangila Ratan1975Aag Aur Toofanas Tuntun1975Dhoti Lota Aur ChowpattyFilm heroine's motheras Tun-Tun1975Stree Purush1974Amir GaribGoverness1974Naya Din Nai RaatMental Patient1974Dil Diwana1974Hamrahi1974Maa Bahen Aur Biwi1974My Friend1974Sacha Mera Roop Hai1974ShaitaanMeena Advani 1974ThokarMukhti's wife1973Kuchhe DhaageRamaswanti Bharose1973Bandhe HaathKavita1973Heera1973Jalte BadanChameli1973Naag Mere Saathi1972Gomti Ke KinarePetrol Pump owner's wife1972 Lalkar (The Challenge)Danko1972Aankhon Aankhon MeinMrs. Pereira1972ApradhMrs. Fernandes1972Be-Imaan1972Bindiya Aur Bandook1972Chori Chori1972Dil Daulat DuniyaBaby's Mother1972Ek Hasina Do DiwanePhool Kumari1972Garam MasalaQueen Khatoria1972Mele Mitran DePunjabi1972Mome Ki GudiyaDaisy's mother1972 Sabse Bada Sukh1972 SamadhiKalavati1971 HungamaJagdeep's Mother 1971Upaasna1971 Ek PaheliLily1971 HulchulPhilomena D'Costa1971 Johar Mehmood in Hong KongSonia's Aunt1971 Preet Ki Dori1971 Shri Krishna LeelaRasili's Chachi1971 Tulsi VivahSenapati's mother-in-law1971 Woh Din Yaad Karo1970 Heer RaanjhaAllah Rakhi1970 The TrainGuest Appearance1970 Aansoo Aur MuskanBhagwanti1970EhsanMrs. Chaturmukh1970GeetChampavati 'Champa'1970HimmatTiger's mother1970 PehchanGanga's prospective bride1970 Rootha Na KaroNeeta's maidservant as Tuntun1970 SharafatChampakali as Tuntun1969 Do RaasteSwimming pool attendant1969 AnjaanaMrs. Kapoor (Cooper)1969 Anmol Moti1969 Badi Didi1969 Shart Lady at the Massage Parlour1969 TalashKamini1968 DuniyaChabeeli uncredited1968 AabrooWhisky Rani1968 AbhilashaFat Ladysong "Yaaron Hamara Kya"1968 Baharon Ki ManzilGlory D'Silva1968 Dil Aur Mohabbat1968 Khiladi_Geeta Maria "Miss Beauty"1968 Har Har Gange1968 KanyadaanBansi's mother-in-law1968 Kismat1968 ParivarSitaram's employee1968 Sadhu Aur ShaitaanSundari1968 Suhaag RaatTitli Banu1967 Pind Di KuriPunjabi1967 AagPhoolmati1967 Badrinath YatraMaid at brothel 1967 C.I.D. 909Julie Fernandes D'Silva Ghobewali1967 Dil Ne PukaraKamla 1967 Duniya Nachegi1967 Gunahon Ka Devta1967 Hare Kanch Ki ChooriyanJulie's Motheras Tuntun1967 UpkarLakhpati's Wifeas Tuntun1966 Aakhri Khat1966Afsana1966Dil Diya Dard LiyaMrs. Murlidhar1966 Dillagi1966 Kunwari1966 Ladka LadkiRajkumari Nirmala Devi1966 Phool Aur PattharMrs. Alopinath (Guddki)as Tuntun1966 SagaaiAnarkali1966 Tarzan Aur Jadui Chirag1966 Thakur Jarnail Singh1966 Alibaba Aur 40 Chor1965 Johar-Mehmood in GoaSimmi's Cellmate1965 Ek Sapera Ek LuteraBindu1965 Jab Jab Phool KhileMary Guest Appearance1965 KaajalAmba1965 Lutera1965Maharaja Vikram1965Mohabbat Isko Kahete HainBabyas Tuntun1965 Raaka1965 Rustom-E-Hind1965 SaheliMother of 5 children1964Main Jatti Punjab Di Taro Punjabi Movie 1964 Cha Cha ChaMohan's Mother 1964 RajkumarChampakali1964 Aaya ToofanMaha Dasi1964 Darasingh: IronmanRangili's mother1964 Fariyad1964 Ganga Ki LahrenMaid1964 Kashmir Ki KaliRama Devi1964 Khufia Mahal1964 Mr. X in BombayKamini1963 Bluff MasterLajwanti1963 Ek Dil Sao AfsaneWedding Guest1963 Ek RaazChampakali1963 Gehra DaagSundarias Tuntun1963 Godaan1963 Jab Se Tumhe Dekha HaiKitty's servant1963 Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya1963 Naag RaniChand's friend (uncredited)1963 Phool Bane AngaareKamla's sister-in-law1963 Shikari1963Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo\Bhojpuri Film1963 Ustadon Ke UstadHostess of Qawwali contest1963Punjabi movie|1963 |1962 |Mahakali1962Dilli Ka Thug1962 Half TicketReal Munna's Mother 1962 JhoolaMother1962 ProfessorPhool Rani1962Son of IndiaGopal's foster mother1962Umeed1962 Vallah Kya Baat Hai1961Chaudhvin Ka ChandNaseeban as Uma Devi1961Gunga JumnaBhajiwaliuncredited1961PassportWoman who offers shelter to Reeta & Shekhar1961ShamaVee Aapa1960Bombai Ka Babu1960Dil Apna Aur Preet ParaiHaseena1960 Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi TereMoti's Mother 1960Ek Phool Char KaanteJamnabai1960Jaali NoteMrs. Malikuncredited1960 Kiklee1960Kohinoor1959Bank Manager1959Bhai-BahenJulie1959Black CatMrs. Ramanlaluncredited1959Chacha Zindabad1959Jungle King1959Kaagaz Ke PhoolTelephone Operator1959Kavi KalidasKali's step-mom1959Qaidi No. 9111959Ujala195812 O'ClockKumari Natesh Sundarias Uma Devi1958Aakhri DaoMuthuswami's Daughter1958Aji Bas Shukriya1958 LajwantiTun Tununcredited1958Malik1958CriminalLajwanti 'Lajo'1958Phir Subah HogiRam's Landlord uncredited1958Solva SaalAspiring actress/Singer1957PyaasaPushplata1957Captain Kishore1957Do Roti1957Mirza Sahiban1957Ram Lakshman1956Anuraag1956C.I.D.Complainant in police station as Uma Devi1956Fifty Fifty1956Jagte RahoSati's mother uncredited1956 PocketmaarShukal's prospective mother-in-lawuncredited1956Raj Hath1956Kismet Ka Khelas Uma Devi1955Shree 420Maya's neighbouras Uma Devi1955Albeli1955Bahu1955Hatimtai Ki Beti1955Marine DriveJohny's wife (as Uma Devi)1955MilapMrs. Akhrodwala1955 Mr. & Mrs. '55Lily D'Silvaas Uma Devi1955 Pehli JhalakDancer (song "Achchi Surat Huwi") 1955Uran KhatolaHira's girlfriend as Tuntun1954Aar-PaarRustom's mother1954 Gul Baharas Uma Devi1953BaazA masseuse1953Gunah1952AmberChorus singer/dancer1951DeedarRai' s maidservantas Uma Devi1951 DholakAayaas Uma Devi1950 Babul
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