Nazir Hussain: From INA to Bollywood
Nazir Hussain, the famous character artist was born on May 15, 1922 in the village of Usia in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district. Hussain, now long forgotten, acted in more than 400 movies and is considered as the Pitamah of Bhojpuri cinema. Much before it became fashionable and productive, Hussain was instrumental in the making of first Bhojpuri film 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo' produced by B P Shahabadi. The success of Bhojpuri films in the last few years led to talks of his contribution to Bhojpuri cinema. However, not many know that he was in Subash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA), which became the reason for his entry into Bollywood.
Nazir Hussain's father Shahabzad Khan was a guard in the Railways and Hussain grew up in Lucknow. He worked in the British army for a short time but came under the influence of Subhas Chandra Bose and joined the Indian National Army (INA). I asked scholar Sugata Bose about Nazir Hussain and he replied: "Yes, Nazir Hussain was in the INA. He joined with Bimal Roy to make the film 'Pahela Aadmi' based on the INA experience." I have not been able to find out his exact role but he seems to have faced imprisonment and was released after Independence. He was accorded the status of freedom fighter and was given free railway pass for life.
In those days Bimal Roy was planning a film on Bose and the INA. To give it an authentic touch he was scouting for INA members to help him. Nazir Hussain's personality and impressive voice perhaps helped Bimal Roy to notice him. However, Hussain was reluctant to work in films as he had no such background. After much persuasion and cajoling from friends and colleagues he relented. 'Pehla Aadmi' released in 1950 launched him to stardom and he became a permanent fixture in Bimal Roy's movies.
He excelled as a character artist and starred in several blockbuster movies. He became famous for his emotional scenes and is best remembered for his roles in Amar Akbar Anthony, Charas, Jewel Thief, Parakh, Devdas, Leader, Ram Aur Shyam, Kashmir Ki Kali and many others. While Hussain was busy in the Bombay film industry a meeting with President Rajendra Prasad changed the course of his life. At an awards function, Hussain was introduced to Prasad and after knowing that he hailed from Ghazipur started speaking in Bhojpuri.
Prasad told Hussain to consider making Bhojpuri films which resulted in the super hit 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'. Hussain wrote the script for the movie that became a raging hit. The songs were super hit and Hussain himself went on to produce and direct several Bhojpuri films in the 60s and 70s. One of his films Balam Pardesia is considered a landmark in the Bhojpuri film industry. Unlike the Bhojpuri films of today, the films made by Nazir Hussain (and others) revolved around social issues. They tackled the problems of dowry and landless farmers, highlighting the wickedness of cruel zamindars and capitalists.
My personal favourite is his role as a rickshaw puller who trains Balraj Sahni in Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zameen. Despite his broad shoulders and good physique, he excelled in roles as heroine's father or poor, helpless farmer/worker. Any film he starred had to have a crying scene. No doubt he was dubbed 'Aansuon Ka Kanastar' in the film industry. In real life too he was an emotional person. He used to don silky suits and Indian clothes with equal elan in movies. However, whenever he used to visit his native village he prefered dhoti-kurta. People would come from far-off places in huge numbers to see and meet him at his small village in Ghazipur.
Hussain shot several of his films at his ancestral village and put Ghazipur on the film industry map. After Nazir Hussain, Ghazipur gave several film personalities like Rahi Masoom Raza, Anjan Shrivastava and Yunus Parvez. The veteran actress Leela Mishra too was from Ghazipur and starred along with Nazir Hussain in 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'.
"I have met Nazir cha in Bombay and he told me that he had been in the INA and became very emotional thinking of my parents," activist Subhashini Ali, daughter of Colonel Prem Kumar and Captain Lakshmi Sehgal told me few months back. I remember meeting actor Raj Babbar in Mumbai for a report and when I told him I am from Ghazipur his immediate remark was: "Nazir Hussain too was from Ghazipur."
Nazir Hussain's father Shahabzad Khan was a guard in the Railways and Hussain grew up in Lucknow. He worked in the British army for a short time but came under the influence of Subhas Chandra Bose and joined the Indian National Army (INA). I asked scholar Sugata Bose about Nazir Hussain and he replied: "Yes, Nazir Hussain was in the INA. He joined with Bimal Roy to make the film 'Pahela Aadmi' based on the INA experience." I have not been able to find out his exact role but he seems to have faced imprisonment and was released after Independence. He was accorded the status of freedom fighter and was given free railway pass for life.
In those days Bimal Roy was planning a film on Bose and the INA. To give it an authentic touch he was scouting for INA members to help him. Nazir Hussain's personality and impressive voice perhaps helped Bimal Roy to notice him. However, Hussain was reluctant to work in films as he had no such background. After much persuasion and cajoling from friends and colleagues he relented. 'Pehla Aadmi' released in 1950 launched him to stardom and he became a permanent fixture in Bimal Roy's movies.
He excelled as a character artist and starred in several blockbuster movies. He became famous for his emotional scenes and is best remembered for his roles in Amar Akbar Anthony, Charas, Jewel Thief, Parakh, Devdas, Leader, Ram Aur Shyam, Kashmir Ki Kali and many others. While Hussain was busy in the Bombay film industry a meeting with President Rajendra Prasad changed the course of his life. At an awards function, Hussain was introduced to Prasad and after knowing that he hailed from Ghazipur started speaking in Bhojpuri.
Prasad told Hussain to consider making Bhojpuri films which resulted in the super hit 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'. Hussain wrote the script for the movie that became a raging hit. The songs were super hit and Hussain himself went on to produce and direct several Bhojpuri films in the 60s and 70s. One of his films Balam Pardesia is considered a landmark in the Bhojpuri film industry. Unlike the Bhojpuri films of today, the films made by Nazir Hussain (and others) revolved around social issues. They tackled the problems of dowry and landless farmers, highlighting the wickedness of cruel zamindars and capitalists.
My personal favourite is his role as a rickshaw puller who trains Balraj Sahni in Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zameen. Despite his broad shoulders and good physique, he excelled in roles as heroine's father or poor, helpless farmer/worker. Any film he starred had to have a crying scene. No doubt he was dubbed 'Aansuon Ka Kanastar' in the film industry. In real life too he was an emotional person. He used to don silky suits and Indian clothes with equal elan in movies. However, whenever he used to visit his native village he prefered dhoti-kurta. People would come from far-off places in huge numbers to see and meet him at his small village in Ghazipur.
Hussain shot several of his films at his ancestral village and put Ghazipur on the film industry map. After Nazir Hussain, Ghazipur gave several film personalities like Rahi Masoom Raza, Anjan Shrivastava and Yunus Parvez. The veteran actress Leela Mishra too was from Ghazipur and starred along with Nazir Hussain in 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'.
"I have met Nazir cha in Bombay and he told me that he had been in the INA and became very emotional thinking of my parents," activist Subhashini Ali, daughter of Colonel Prem Kumar and Captain Lakshmi Sehgal told me few months back. I remember meeting actor Raj Babbar in Mumbai for a report and when I told him I am from Ghazipur his immediate remark was: "Nazir Hussain too was from Ghazipur."
Dear Danish,
ReplyDeleteadaab,
Several times I tried to discover the background of Nazir Hussain on Web but failed. Today after reading this blog I am really grateful to you for letting Indians in specific and South Asians in general, know about this great actor and freedom fighter. I have also been told by my late father Nazir Hussain had an affair with some famous actress of his times, probably Kamini Kaushal, who too was a great actress indeed. I might be wrong but that aspect you have not touched about him.
Keep up the good work.
Khuda hafiz,
Ahmad Cameron,
Brampton ON
Canada
Dilip Kumar had affair with Kamini Kaushal, not Nazir Hussain please correct.
DeleteDear brother Danish Saheb,
ReplyDeleteAssalamu Alaikum
Thanks for yet another excellent and informative piece. By brining to light unknown aspects of the lives of known personalities or informing us about unsung heroes you are doing a great job. Please keep it up.
Ghazali
Dear Danish,
ReplyDeleteIts very heartening to see your well researched information about chacha Nazir Hushain. Infact he was with my father in INA. My father was also in INA for quit some year, i think, 1942-45 are so till he joined Kolkota police, I think in 1946. After partition, my father went to Pakistan (East Pakistan now Bangaladesh)also and forhim, after joining/serving in Pakistan for some time became very painfull and altogather different story for which my father and my family suffered alot. I can share with you detail information about Nazir Hushain as well as my father,who happen to be elder and senior Mr. Nazir Hushain. Rest on telephone. with best wishes
(M.W. ANSARI)
MOB NO- 94252-45544
i am interested, you can write to me at [email protected]
DeleteCameron sahab, Ghazali sahab and Ansari sahab: Thank you very much for your comments. Bahut shukriya.
ReplyDeletedear danish
ReplyDeleteplease tell me when nazir hussain was dead and when born.......lease tell me in details
Congratulation Mr.Dansh for writing such a nice article about Nazir Hussain he is among one of my favourite.
ReplyDeleteWhen you edit this piece please add his date and place of death and something about his children.
Dr.M.Mustafa
He died in Bombay Malad nadiadwala colony were he use to stay. His child mumtaz Hussein still stays there along with his family.
DeleteDear Sirs,
ReplyDeleteI am going to bring out one book titled AZAD HIND FOUZ : MUSLIM WARRIORS. I wish to provide place for Mr Nazir Hussain sab and Father of M.W. ANSARI as they too played their role in INA. Please help me by sending photos, information and any paper clippings or documents in Hindi, English. My mail : [email protected] or my mobile : 9440241727.
With Regards
Syed Naseer Ahamed
Andhrapradesh.
Wasn't 'Ganga Jamuna' the first Bhojpuri film of the 1950'- 1960's era? Nazir Hussain had an acting role in that movie.
ReplyDeleteIn some sense Ganga Jamuna can be said to be the first Bhojpuri film.
DeleteYes , Dhaliwal sahib, u r right in my opinion as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very nice historical details. Nazir hussain was my great grand uncle. We grew up in Lahore with his photos on our wallframes and his hand written letters in our drawers. Very glad to see he was a well respected actor, director, and screenwriter.
ReplyDeleteIn some sense Ganga Jamuna can be supposed to be the principal Bhojpuri film .
ReplyDelete