Bhagwan Dada (born Bhagwan Abhaji Palav; 1 August 1913 – 4 February 2002), also credited and mononymously known as Bhagwan, was pioneering Indian actor, director and producer whose career spanned over six decades, making him one of the earliest and most enduring figures in Indian Cinema. While widely celebrated for his landmark musical blockbuster Albela (1951), Bhagwan Dada's broader legacy rests on his status as Indian Cinema's first true dancing superstar and a versatile comedic lead. Renowned for his distinct, effortless, and rhythmic dance style - characterized by slow-motion footsteps and signature shoulder shrugs - his choreography fundamentally shaped the foundation of men dance in Bollywood, preceding dancing stars like Shammi Kapoor while directly influencing much later generation of actors, including Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda. Beyond his on-screen persona as a comic and a dancer, he was an accomplished filmmaker who directed and produced numerous films, mostly action-heavy stunt films during the 1930s and 1940s alongside a few comedy films during the 1950s and 1960s. Apart from Hindi, he also worked in a few Marathi films and occasionally, in films of other languages.
Early life
Bhagwan Dada was born in 1913 as Bhagwan Abhaji Palav in Amravati, Maharashtra. He was the son of a Mumbai textile mill worker and was obsessed with films. Bhagwan Dada hailed from a Marathi family. He worked as a labourer, but dreamt of acting in films. He got his break with bit roles in silent films and got totally involved with the studios. He learned film-making and at one stage used to make low-budget films (in which he arranged for everything including the design of costumes and arranging meals for the cast) for Rs. 65,000.
Career
Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, popularly known as Bhagwan dada, mainly due to his love for wrestling, made his debut in the silent era with the film Criminal.
He co-directed his first film Bahadur Kisan with Chandrarao Kadam in 1938. From 1938 to 1949, he directed a string of low-budget stunt and action films that were popular with the working classes. He usually played a naive simpleton. One of the notable films that he made during this period was the Tamil film Vana Mohini (1941) that starred M. K. Radha and Sri Lankan actress Thavamani Devi.
In 1942, as part of a scene, he had to slap actress Lalita Pawar hard. He accidentally slapped her too hard, which resulted in facial paralysis and a burst left-eye vein. After three years of treatment, Pawar was left with a disabled left eye.
He turned producer in 1942 with Jagruti Pictures, purchased some land and set up Jagriti Studios in Chembur in 1947. Because of advice from Raj Kapoor, he turned to making a social film called Albela, starring Bhagwan and Geeta Bali, and featuring music by his friend Chitalkar, or C. Ramchandra. The songs of the film, in particular "Shola jo bhadke" are still remembered. Albela was a huge hit. After Albela, Bhagwan got C. Ramchandra and Geeta Bali together again in Jhamela (1953), where he tried to recreate the formulaic success of Albela with little success. He also directed and acted in Bhagam Bhag in 1956.
Later life After that, Bhagwan did not have any more hits and eventually had to give up producing and directing films. He sold his 25-room waterfront bungalow in Juhu and his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week). Bhagwan Dada profile on Cineplot.com He took whatever roles he could get, but apart from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), Chori Chori (1956) and Gateway of India (1957), none were roles of note, and he eventually took on bit parts in which he did his famous dance (made even more famous by Amitabh Bachchan using it as his default dance step).
Most of Bhagwan's associates left him in his time of need, apart from C. Ramchandra, Om Prakash and lyricist Rajinder Krishan, who continued to meet him even in his chawl. Bhagwan died of a massive heart attack at his residence in Dadar on 4 February 2002 at the age of 88.
Filmography Hindi films
Year Film Role Notes1931Bewafa Ashq1935Katil KatarHimmat-e-Marda1936Bharat Ka Lal1938Bahadur KisanAlso Director1939Gunehgaar1942Sukhi JeevanZindagi1943ZabanBadlaAlso Director1944Bahadur1945Ji HaanNagma-e-Sahra AltamashAlso Director1946Dosti1947Bahadur PratapMatwaleShake Hands1948JalanLalachMala The MightyMatlahiTumhari Kasam1949Bachke RehnaAlso DirectorBhedi BunglaJigarBhole PiyaBigde DilJeete RahoJokerKhush RahoPyaar Ki RaatRoop LekhaShauqeen1950AchchajiActorBaboojiAlso DirectorBhole BhaleBakhshish1951ActorAflatoon Albela PyarelalAlso Writer, Producer and DirectorDamaadChamak1952BaghdadBhule BhatkeGoonjSindbad The Sailor1953Char ChandShamsheerJhamelaAlso Writer, Producer and DirectorRangeela1954Halla Gulla1955BandishBalloon SellerGuest Appearance as the performer of the song "Le Lo Ji Hamare Gubbare Pyaare Pyaare"ChhabilaDeewarFlying ManJhanak Jhanak Payal BaajeBadluOonchi HaveliPyaara DushmanAlso Producer and Director1956Bhagam BhagBhagwan "Bhaggu"Also Writer, Producer and DirectorChar MinarChori ChoriBhagwanKar BhalaMakkhee ChoosMr. LambuPassing ShowAlso DirectorSheikh ChilliSheikh Chilli1957Aadhi RotiAgra RoadC. I. D. InspectorKhannaBetiBhabhiStage actorGarma GaramGateway of IndiaLakshmidasMiss BombayRaja VikramUstad1958Bhala AadmiAlso DirectorSachche Ka Bol BalaChal BaazDulhanMr. QNaya KadamPoliceSinger-dancer at the beachGuest Appearance as the performer of the song "Dil Ko Lagela Mohabbat Ka Chaska"Son of SindbadTrolley Driver1959Chacha ZindabadDuniya Na ManeBhagwan (previously known serially by the aliases Sohan, Mohan, Ram, Shyam and Harnam)Forty DaysKanganGopalLal NishanMoharO Tera Kya Kehna1960Bhakt RajDiler HasinaNakhrewaliRangeela RajaRoad No. 303Zameen Ke TareBuddhuZimbo Shaher Mein1961Lucky NumberRam LilaSalaam Mem SahebSapan SuhaneBhagwanShola Jo BhadkeAlso DirectorStreeTeen UstadWazir-e-Azam1962Aalha UdalBaghdad Ki RaatenMadam ZapattaPathanRocket GirlTower HouseAjay1963Awara AbdullaBaghi ShehzadaDekha Pyaar TumharaJab Se Tumhe Dekha HaiOne of the main Qawwali singersGuest Appearance as one of the performers of the song "Tumhe Husn Deke Khuda Na Sitamgar Banaya Banaya"Rustom-e-Baghdad1964Aandhi Aur ToofanHukum Ka EkkaMagic CarpetSultanMain Bhi Ladki HoonT. B.Khooni KhazanaKrishnaavtar1965BekhabarChar ChakramChor DarwazaHam DiwaneAlso DirectorKhakaanSher DilSindbad Alibaba And AladdinAlibabaTarzan And King KongTarzan Comes To Delhi1966Chale Hain SasuralDaku Mangal SinghDuniya Hai Dilwalon KiLa BelaKishanAlso Co-writer, Producer and DirectorLadka LadkiNagin Aur Sapera1967Albela MastanaBaghdad Ki RaateinChand Par Chadayee Chhaila Babu Duniya NachegiGunehgarHum Do DakuSangdil1969BadmashGundaIntaqamMagician PashaRaat Ke Andhere MeinThe Killers1970Aag Aur DaagChoron Ka ChorGeetDeen Dayal's cookMangu DadaNight In CalcuttaSasta Khoon Mehnga PyarSuhana SafarOne of the bus passengers1971HungamaKabhi Dhoop Kabhi ChhaonKathputliMera Gaon Mera DeshChhotumalSaaz Aur SanamSher-e-WatanShri Krishna Leela1972Aage BarhoAan BaanPrisoner 420Do ChorPolice ConstableGaon Hamara Shaher TumharaFilm DirectorRaaste Kaa PattharConstable BhagwanRani Mera NaamTangewala1973Banarasi BabuDadaChhaliaKuchhe DhaageRam BharoseShareef BudmaashShambhu1974ApradhiMottaBadhti Ka Naam DadhiDr. GhoosawalaBalak DhruvChori ChoriHar Har MahadevImaanResham Ki Dori1975AndheraDaku Aur BhagwanFaraarConstableGanga Ki KasamJagguQawalKaala SonaBartenderMazaaqMaze Le LoNatakRafoo ChakkarS. Manglani's secretaryToofan Aur BijleeZindagi Aur ToofanZorro1976Bhoola BhatkaEk Se Badhkar EkKabeelaDurjan's victimSangramShankar ShambhuDhondu1977Agent VinodGypsy SardarChacha BhatijaChakkar Pe ChakkarBhagwanbhaiChor SipaheeJay VejaySher Singh's victimKhel Khilari KaLadki Jawan Ho GayiMandir MasjidMuktiSahib BahadurHare Murari's assistantVishwasghaat1978AzaadRam Singh BahadurCollege GirlDarwazaKarwa ChouthKasme VaadeMain Tulsi Tere Aangan KiBhim SinghPhandebaazFilm DirectorToote Khilone1979AhinsaArab Ka Sona : Abu KaaliaBin Baap Ka BetaHeera-MotiJaan-e-BahaarJhoota Kahin KaMeri Biwi Ki ShaadiNaya BakraPrem BandhanShikshaaShyamalaTaraana1980AashaPintoBeqasoorBombay 405 MilesPhotographerChambal Ki KasamDo PremeeBhagwanGanga Aur SurajJazbaatFrancisKhoon KharabaNazrana Pyar KaPatthar Se TakkarPhir Wahi RaatGendamalPyaara DushmanTaxi ChorYeh Kaisa Insaf ?1981Aas PaasMaster Bandit's associateBiwi-O-BiwiBulundiChhupa ChhuppiCommanderEk Aur Ek GyarahFifty FiftyGehra ZakhmKahani Ek Chor KiKatilon Ke KaatilKrantiAllah RakhaNaseebA chefProfessor PyarelalSaajan Ki SaheliSahhasHavildarBilingual; made in Bengali tooWoh Phir Nahin Aaye1982Aadat Se MajboorBadle Ki AagTrain MasterChalti Ka Naam ZindagiDharam KantaDo UstadHoneyKaamchorKhush NaseebMeri KahaniRustomSanam Teri KasamEunuch BrideSun SajnaTeesri AnkhTeri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar DoonUstadi Ustad SeQawwali dancer1983BekhabarBindiya ChamkegiHavildarChatpatiDard-e-DilKaun Hai Who ?NastikPaanchwin ManzilPyaassi AnkhenSiskiyan1984AsambhavaJhutha SachLove MarriageMeraa Dost Meraa DushmanNadaniyanShapathSunnyTere Mere Beech MeinYaadgaarBhagwanYeh DeshHarold1985Alag AlagBabuGanga Ke PaarKali BastiPanduMera DamadA drunkardLover BoyPatthar DilPyaari BhabhiRamkali1986Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath MeinMangal DadaMohabbat Ki KasamA dancerRaat Ke BaadVidhaan1987Deewana Tere Naam KaKhooni DarindaMarte Dum TakMera Yaar Mera Dushman1988Biwi Ho Toh AisiGanga Tere Desh MeinHalaal Ki KamaiHatyaPrem SandeshSoorma BhopaliZalzalaZulm Ko Jala Doonga1989Ajnabi SaayaDo YaarFarz Ki JungPolice Constable PanduGair KanooniMain Tere LiyeMaine Pyar KiyaNa-InsaafiNache Nagin Gali GaliTaaqatwarA guest at the weddingCameoTere Bina Kya Jeena1990Baap Numbri Beta Dus NumbriHum Se Na TakranaKasam Dhande KiKhatarnaakSwarg1991IradaLaal PareeNumbri Aadmi1992Touhean1993Kala Coat1994Yuhi Kabhi1995Jai VikraantaJhumkaMera DamadPaapi Farishte1996MaahirA dancer at the barSautela BhaiTalaashi
Marathi films Year Film RoleNotes 1968 Bai Mothi Bhagyachi 1975 Jyotibacha Navas1977Banya BapuBhingriNavra Mazha BrahmachariRam Ram GangaramGangaram's uncle1978Bhairu Pehelwan Ki JaiLakshmi1979Aaitya Bilavar NagobaAapli Manse1980FatakadiHyoch Navra PahijeSaran Tula Bhagvanta1981Govinda Ala Re Ala1984Aali Laher Kela KaharBahuroopiChorachya Manat ChandaneJugalbandiShradha1986BijliDhondi Dhondi Paani Re1987Bola DajibaChhakke Panje1989Ina Mina DikaNavra Baiko1992Sagale Sarkhech1993Anyayacha Pratikar
Tamil films Year Film Notes 1940 JayakodiOnly Writer and Director1941Vana mohiniRaja GopichandOnly Director
Other languages' films Year Film LanguageRoleNotes 1956 Dosthara Sri Lankan 1963 Laakho Vanzaro Gujarati1981Do PostiPunjabi
In popular culture In 2016, a Marathi movie Ekk Albela released which was a biopic of the actor.
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