Parshuram

Parshuram Biography

Parshuram Laxman Sonnis, better known as Parshuram was a singer-actor of yesterdays who had a glorious career in Bollywood. An unsung hero, a long forgotten actor, he spent his last years in silence, away from lights and action and surprisingly no one noticed his absence also. This largely forgotten but long-time contributor to Indian cinema began his career in 1937, and stayed here for more than three decades. V. Shantaram’s Duniya Na Maane marked his film debut in 1937. His rags to riches, and later riches to rags story is really heart breaking!

He was born in a small village of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in a very poor family. Since childhood acting and singing fascinated him a lot and he used to entertain people with his mimic skills. Though he could study till class 4 only due to the poor financial condition of his family, he continued with reading books which improved his language skills a lot. He along with his father moved to Mumbai when he was 10 years old and his father tried to find some job of an extra in some film studio, which was unsuccessful.

Parshuram used to sing songs while sitting on his father’s shoulders. Once V. Shantaram happened to hear the young boy singing and asked his father to leave him in his custody. Father happily agreed to it and he joined Prabhat Film Company in Pune, where the director groomed him as an actor. Started with his monthly salary of rupees five, he also got opportunity to learn music from stalwarts. His first role was a singing beggar for the iconic movie, Duniya Na Maane. In 1938 film, Gopal Krishna, he played childhood Krishna and also sang three solos and a trio.

In 1940 at the age of 18, he got married to Leelabai. When Shantaram left Prabhat Studios, frustrated Parshuram did a role in National Studio’s Meri Duniya (1942), and sang three songs too. Meanwhile Shantaram started Rajkamal Kalamandir Studios and Production Company and he appointed Parasuram at 80 rupees per month salary. He also did movies outside Rajkamal, with V. Shantaram’s consent. Jeevan Yatra, Matwala Shayar, Lokshahir Ramjoshi in Marathi, Bhool, Chor Bazar, Bhagam Bhag, Apna Desh, Teen Batti Char Raasta, House No. 44, Jagte Raho and Geet Gaaya Patharon Ne are some of his noted works.

He played the role of a court singer in Basant Bahar (1956), which was his major breakthrough. “Ketaki gulab juhi champak…” was pictured on him. He continued with character roles in the 1950s and 1960s in Hindi and Marathi. Suhag Raat, Safar (1970), Ram Aur Shyam etc are some of his last works. In 1968 he met with an accident and broke his leg. This incident affected his career badly. He fell into bad company and began drinking in frustration. He lost everything and his wife left him. He even worked as an extra during his last days. One day actress Tabassum saw him at Bandra, almost like a beggar and took him to Doordarshan studio. She fed him, cleaned him up, gave him some clothes and did a live talk show - “Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan”, which caught attention of public.

Shiv Sena announced a pension of Rs. 100 per month to him, and many came forward with help. However he was found in a weak condition in the streets and admitted to a hospital. Though informed to his family members, no one came. His daughter came to know about it after his death, who performed his last rituals. His grandson Mangesh Barde is now settled in New Zealand with his family and thus it’s the fourth generation of this great actor Parshuram.

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Updated: March 20, 2016