Sardar Akhtar

Sardar Akhtar Biography

Sardar Akhtar was one of the earliest actresses of Hindi silver screen. She also appeared in Urdu movies. She was married to legendary film maker – Mehmood Khan, and has worked in many of his movies. Started off with B-grade stunt movies, later she came to prominent roles in the late 1930s. Sohrab Modi's Pukar (1939) was her first major breakthrough where she played the role of a washerwoman. She is best remembered for playing the title role of Mehboob Khan’s Aurat in 1940, which was later remade by the same director – Mother India. Nargis reprised her role for the second version and the rest is history.

Her maiden name is Sardar Begum. She was born in the year 1915 in Lahore, British India. Her elder sister Bahar Akhtar was also an actress. She started her career as a background dancer for movies and started her acting career with theater. She has worked with Madan Theatres Ltd before her film debut. Akhtar started her career at Saroj Movietone, known for making stunt films, then known as B-grade movies. She worked under the directors - A. P. Kapoor, Kanjibhai Rathod and J. P. Advani in such films. Later she got opportunity to work in supporting roles in main stream Hindi movies. State Express (1938) was her most successful stunt film.

In 1936 she was paired opposite K. L. Saighal for the comedy film, Karodpati, directed by Hemchander Chander. The film was produced by New Theatres. The film was entirely different from serious Saighal roles for which he was known for. Sohrab Modi's Pukar in 1939 was her major breakthrough and there was no turning back. She worked with Mehmood Khan for the first time in 1940 with the film Ali Baba. Love blossomed between the two and the couple got married in 1942. She retired from films in 1945 after appearing in about 50 films. The couple had no children. She was Mehmood khan’s main inspiration for his films of 1950s - Aan (1952), Andaz and Mother India.

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Updated: March 20, 2016