Some also know him as Baiju Bawra, Bharat Bhushan was a distinguished figure in Indian cinema, known for portraying simple yet profound characters on the silver screen. A glance at Bharat Bhushan’s filmography reveals numerous timeless classics where his presence remains irreplaceable. From Baiju Bawra and Mirza Ghalib to Basant Bahar, poet Kalidas, Barsaat ki Raat, and the music emperor Tansen, his exceptional acting skills shone through in each role.
Early Life of Bharat Bhushan
Born on June 14, 1920, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Bharat Bhushan hailed from a family originally from Aligarh. Tragically, his mother passed away when he was only two years old, prompting his father, Raibahadur Motilal, to send him and his siblings to their grandparents in Aligarh. Raised and educated in Aligarh, Bharat’s father, a government lawyer, harbored hopes for his son to follow in his footsteps. However, Bharat’s fascination with films and the world of acting led to a clash of dreams within the family. His father, upon learning of his aspirations, vehemently opposed Bharat’s pursuit, banning him from watching films.
Father’s Discipline Leads to Kolkata
One incident, in particular, led to a significant rift between Bharat and his father. After secretly watching a movie without permission, Bharat faced his father’s wrath upon returning home. The severe beating he received marked a turning point in their relationship, driving Bharat away from home. Despite his father’s attempts to dissuade him, Bharat remained resolute in his decision to pursue acting. Graduating from Dharam Samaj College, Aligarh, Bharat ventured out to fulfill his dreams, eventually making his way to Kolkata, where many films were being made at the time.
The Beginning of Bharat Bhushan’s Film Journey
There is some debate over Bharat Bhushan’s debut film. While Chitralekha, released in 1941, is often cited as his first film, it’s not entirely accurate. Chitralekha was indeed his first released film, but Bharat had previously signed on for a film titled Bhakta Kabir, which faced delays in production. Therefore, Chitralekha, directed by Kidar Sharma, became his debut film. Bhakta Kabir eventually released in 1942. Despite these initial roles, Bharat’s breakthrough came with Vijay Bhatt’s Baiju Bawra in 1952.
Bharat Bhushan’s Stellar Performance as Baiju Bawra
During the preparation of Baiju Bawra, Vijay Bhatt initially considered casting Dilip Kumar and Nargis. However, composer Naushad suggested opting for lesser-known actors to maintain the authenticity of the characters. Bharat Bhushan, along with Meena Kumari, caught Bhatt’s attention, and their performances elevated the film to unprecedented success. Baiju Bawra went on to become a golden jubilee hit, establishing Bharat Bhushan as a leading actor in the Indian film industry.
Rise to Fame and Fortune
Following the success of Baiju Bawra, Bharat Bhushan’s career flourished, with notable performances in films like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani. His portrayal of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award, further solidifying his status as a prominent actor. Alongside fame, Bharat also amassed wealth, acquiring multiple properties in Mumbai and Pune. He indulged in his passions for fashion, literature, and photography, living a life befitting his stature as a beloved actor.
An Actor Without Bad Habits
When the film Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became a huge success at the box office, Bharat Bhushan’s image became even stronger. One day after the release of this film, Bharat Bhushan was standing near a shop, smoking a cigarette. Suddenly, one of his fans approached him and said, “It was not nice at all to see you with that cigarette.” Those words left a deep impact on Bharat Ji, and he never smoked again since that day.
Falling in Love with Madhubala
Bharat Bhushan had also worked with Madhubala in some films. Their first collaboration was in the film Gateway of India in 1957. They were then seen together in Phagun in 1958. Their chemistry was well-received by the audience. In Kal Hamara Hai (1959) and Barsaat Raat (1960), Bharat Ji and Madhubala starred opposite each other. It is said that after the death of his first wife, Sarla, Bharat Ji wanted to pursue a relationship with Madhubala. However, Madhubala did not reciprocate his feelings. When Madhubala married Kishore Kumar, Bharat Bhushan Ji was deeply saddened. Interestingly, Madhubala shared a close friendship with Bharat Ji’s first wife, Sarla Ji.
Upon Sarla Ji’s death, Madhubala Ji expressed her grief, stating that she had lost a dear friend. Madhubala’s affection for Bharat Ji’s family was evident when, a few days before her death, she requested Bharat Bhushan to reconcile her two daughters. Bharat Ji obliged and visited Madhubala’s house with his two daughters.
Daughter Becomes a Famous Actress
Bharat Bhushan’s first wife, Sarla, hailed from a well-known zamindar family in Meerut. He had two daughters with her. The elder daughter, Anuradha, unfortunately, contracted polio. The younger daughter, Aparajita, later became an actress. Aparajita Bhushan’s entry into acting was unplanned. Following the sudden death of her husband, Aparajita, distraught, turned to acting as a means to cope with her grief. Despite concerns about her children, she resolved to pursue acting wholeheartedly. Fate led her to portray the role of Mandodari, Ravana’s wife, in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana, where she gained widespread acclaim. Following Ramayana, Aparajita Bhushan appeared in numerous TV shows and films. However, she gradually distanced herself from the acting world, with her last appearance being in Bobby Deol’s film Gupt.
The Beginning of Bharat Bhushan’s Downfall
Bharat Bhushan’s decline commenced when he ventured into film production alongside acting, following his elder brother’s advice. Bharat Ji produced several films, crediting his elder brother, R. Chandra, as the producer. However, only two of his productions, Basant Bahar and Barsaat Ki Raat, achieved success. The failure of the remaining films caused Bharat Ji significant financial strain. His most devastating setback came with the failure of Dooj Ka Chand in 1964. Bharat Ji had invested his entire savings and taken loans for the film, leading to immense financial losses. To repay the loans, he was forced to sell all three of his bungalows, along with his cars and his beloved library books, which deeply saddened him.
Despite these hardships, Bharat Bhushan Ji never sought assistance from anyone. When asked about facing life’s failures, he would often hum a song by Dev Anand, “I considered whatever I received as my destiny; I moved on, forgetting what I lost.”
Final Moments
With time, Bharat Bhushan Ji transitioned to supporting roles in films, overcoming adversity once again. However, rumors about his financial struggles circulated, with some falsely claiming that he worked as a watchman or traveled by bus after selling his cars. These claims were baseless. Even after selling his cars, Bharat Bhushan Ji never resorted to bus travel. He continued to use taxis or auto-rickshaws for transportation. Shortly after selling his assets, he purchased a three BHK flat in Bandra, where he lived until his passing. Additionally, Bharat Ji had provided a spacious house on rent to his elder daughter, Anuradha. His funeral was attended by numerous renowned personalities from the film industry, and he was laid to rest with full honors.
An interesting anecdote relates to Bharat Bhushan Ji’s final days. Fifteen days before his death, he was shooting for a film, with his daughter Aparajita working on a nearby set. Upon learning of his daughter’s proximity, Bharat Ji sent someone to fetch her. Aparajita rushed to meet him, having not seen him for several days. When she arrived, Bharat Ji was in the midst of a shot.