Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi was born in Varanasi ( Benares) Uttar Pradesh,India. His father Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, popularly known as Choubeji, was the proprietor of the Sanatan Dharm Natak Samaj Mandali in Varanasi. With his father not in agreement with him taking up any form of stage work, he eventually wore out his father's opposition and did odd jobs in the troupe. At 16, he started writing and then moved on to small roles. When his father died, the brothers tried for some time to run the drama company. Proving to be unsuccessful, they downed shutters and Kanhaiyalal decided to seek a film career in Bombay. His elder brother Sankat Prasad Chaturvedi had already set a precedent and established himself as an actor in silent films, but Kanhaiyalal came to films without the intention of acting, wanting to write and direct instead. Eventually capitulating, he began by working as an extra in Sagar Movietone's Sagar Ka Sher. He would have remained a background extra but for a fated twist.

He was fond of plays and came to Mumbai to find a space on stage. He staged his own written play Pandrah August in Mumbai, and later he tried his luck in films. He also wrote many plays.

In 1940 he got a role of moneylender (Sahukar) in a Mehboob Khan's film"Aurat" as Sukhilala. After that, he later acted in many films as a character artist. When Mehboob Khan directed his immortal film Mother India in 1957 he again picked Kanhaiya Lal to act as Sukkhi Lala, a character that came alive with his natural acting.

Kanhiyalal played diversified roles in movies like Upkaar, Dost, Apna Desh, Holi Aayi Re, Janta Hawaldar, Oonche Log, Son Of India, and Hathkadi. Apart from Mother India (1957) , his admirers fondly remember him for his roles in Dushman, Ganga Jamuna(1960), and Satyam Shivam Sundaram. His other notable movies are Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke and Hum Paanch (1980)

Hemaa Singh, Daughter owns the film-making banner Kanhaiyalal Productions. She has produced a documentary film entitled Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal (2022)

Janam Janam Ke Phere: Alias Sati Anapurna

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Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi

Actor

Production Manager

Costume Department

Production Department

Additional Crew