Tun Tun

Tun Tun Biography

Tun Tun is the screen name of first lady comedian of Bollywood screen – Uma Devi Khatri. She was a successful playback singer of late 40’s also. She is counted among the greatest comedians of Indian cinema all time and her fat and overweight gave her comedian’s role in most of her movies. She debut Bollywood as a solo playback singer for Naushad Ali’s composition in the movie, Wazim Azra in the year 1946. But her over weight paved way to the first woman comedian of Bollywood screen. During the golden era of Hindi cinema, she was an indispensable part of many comic scenes and has done numerous films during this period.

During late 40’s she sung huge hits of Bollywood - Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Kar, Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-beqarar ka, Betaab Hai Dil Dard-e-Mohabat Ke Asar Se, Saanjh ki bela, Kahe jiya dole, Dil ko lagake humne kuch bhi na paya and Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Se Jhoom. But later with the rise of new singing talents like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, she couldn’t compete.  But a significant fact is that a person got attracted to her voice and came to Mumbai. He proposed her and later they got married and settled in Mumbai forever.

Later with the rise of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, her chances got dried up and it was Naushad Ali, her mentor who gave first opportunity to sing in Bollywood, who suggested taking roles as comedian. According to his opinion, she had a very bubbly personality and wonderful comic timing. It proved worth too. Now she is well known as a successful comedian than a playback singer.

She appeared on screen for the first time in Dilip Kumar’s Babul in the year 1950. She worked in all the classic movies of Guru Dutt including Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Aar paar and Mr and Mrs. 55. She fully dominated the screen during 60’s and 70’s and has been paired with top comedy actors of her times like Johnny Walker, Bhagwan Dada, Agha, Sunder, Mukri, Dhumal  and Keshto Mukherjee. Her memorable roles are Lok Parlok, Satyam Sivam Sundaram,Fifty fifty, Kohinoor, CID, Phil Subha Hogi, Shree 420 and Jagte Raho.       

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Updated: July 19, 2013