Kidar Sharma

Kidar Sharma Biography

Kidar Sharma was one of the leading directors of Indian cinema. He has successfully launched many great actors of Bollywood on silver screen. Raj Kapoor, Mala Sinha, Geeta Bali, Madhubala, Bharat Bhushan and Tanuja are among those top rated heroes and heroines who started their Bollywood journey with Sharma’s films. As a director, most noted works of Sharma include - Neel Kamal (1947), Bawre Nain (1950) and Jogan (1950). He was among the top rated directors during late 40’s and 50’s. In 1956, he received National Film Award for Best Children's Film for the movie - Jaldeep. This movie has also received best Children's Film award at the International Film Festival held at Venice 1957. He has also received Indian Film Directors' Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Government of Maharashtra's Raj Kapoor Award and Gold Award from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982 for his contributions to Indian Cinema.

Kidar Sharma was born in Narowal on April 12, 1910 in a poor family. He lost his siblings at a younger age, except a younger brother and sister at a younger age. Kidar attended the Baij Nath High School in Amritsar. He ran away from home to pursue a career in cinema in Mumbai, but returned back unsuccessful. He attended the Hindu Sabha College where he founded a College Dramatic Society, which later provided his big break to film industry. He did his Masters degree in English at Khalsa College, Amritsar. He joined a local theatre as actor in 1931 and got married one year later.

His Bollywood journey started as a still photographer for the movie, Seeta (1934). He became a poster painter for the film Inquilab the next year. He appeared in bit roles in movies like Doop chaon, Pujarin and Inquilaab. He wrote dialog and lyrics for the 1936 adaptation of Devdas with K. L. Saigal in lead. The movie as well as its music became huge hit marking the successful career of Sharma.

In 1940, he finished the project, Tumhair Jeet and later he made his directorial debut with his own written scripts - Aulad and Dil Hi to Hai. Both were moderate hits. Chitralekha (1941) was the first hit movie of Sharma and it proved his credibility as a director. Kaajal (1965) starring Raaj Kumar and Meena Kumari was one of his last hits. He was a noted poet also.

Published: N/A

Updated: January 18, 2014