Mazhar Khan (actor, born 1905)

1930s

Nurjehan (1931) was his debut Talkie film. It was made by the Imperial Film Company and directed by Ezra Mir. The film starred Vimala, Mubarak, Nayampally and Jilloobai with Mazhar. The music director was Joseph David. The film "established" Mazhar in Talkies. In 1932 he acted with actor-singer K. L. Saigal and Kumar in Subah Ka Sitara produced by New Theatres Ltd., Calcutta, and directed by Premankur Atorthy. Saigal was a new entry in the film industry and had made two film prior to this.^[12]

In 1933, Mazhar acted in films produced by East India Film Company: Nala Damayanti was directed by B. H. Rajhans and had Mazhar starring along with Mukhtar Begum, Krishna Chandra Dey, Indubala.^[13] Ek Din Ka Badshah also called King For A Day was again directed by Rajhans and had Sabita Devi, Indubala, and Bachan as co-stars. Aurat Ka Pyar a.k.a. A Woman's Love was directed by A. R. Kardar and starred Gul Hamid, Mukhtar Begum, Anwaribai and Bachan. Mushtaq Ahmed composed the music and lyrics were by Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who also scripted the film.^[14]

In 1934-1935, Mazhar acted in several films with Chandragupta (1934) a historical directed by A. R. Kardar, becoming a commercial success at the box-office, and Kardar being termed as a "talented film-maker".^[15] The film co-starred Nazir in the title role of Chandragupta, along with Sabita Devi and Gul Hamid.^[16] The other significant films of 1933 were Sultana, Mumtaz Begum and Night Bird all produced by East India Film Company. His four films in 1935 were Sulagto Sansar a.k.a. Murderer directed by G. R. Sethi, Step Mother a.k.a. Sauteli Ma by S. D. Kerawala, Selima by Modhu Bose and Bidrohi a.k.a. Freedom Fighter by Dhirendranath Ganguly.

1936 had Mazhar Khan enacting a significant role along with Gul Hamid in Baghi Sipahi, an adaptation of Cardinal Richelieu (1935).^[17] A costume action drama, it was directed by A. R. Kardar and co-starred Bimla Kumari and Lalita.^[18] In 1939, Mazhar was shown as a businessman interested in crossword puzzles in the film Aap Ki Marzi. Directed by Sarvottam Badami, it co-starred Sabita Devi and Motilal. It was based on the Edward Buzzell directed film Paradise for Three (1938) from Erich Kastner's novel.^[19]

1940s

In 1940, Mazhar played an important role in Achhut, a film made to "promote Gandhi's movement against untouchability".^[20] The cast included Motilal, Gohar Sitara Devi, and Noor Mohammed Charlie. It was produced by Chandulal Shah for his Ranjit Studios. The premiere was attended by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.^[21] In Bharosa, Mazhar played the role of a man who leaves his wife (Sardar Akhtar, in the care of his trusted friend (Chandra Mohan) and his wife, when he has to go abroad on work. The resulting consequences form the basis of the story. The film was directed by Sohrab Modi for Minerva Movietone.^[22]

In 1941, Mazhar acted in Padosi, directed by V. Shantaram for his Prabhat Film Company. It was made following communal tension at the formation of Muslim League. The film showed friendly relations between the Hindus and the Muslims. To achieve a better coalition, Shantaram had Mazhar Khan, a Muslim, playing the role of a Hindu and Gajanan Jagirdar, a Hindu, play the Muslim character.^[1] Mazhar's role as 'Thakur" was claimed to be a difficult one, requiring "understanding of human psychology" and a "lot of attention". He emerged triumphant gaining positive critical acclaim.^[5] The film had a positive response from both the critics as well as at the box-office, mainly due to its social and patriotic outlook.^[23]

Akela in 1941, was another box-office success, with Mazhar being praised for his strong "emotional role" of a lonely man, and credited for carrying the picture to "success on his shoulders". The film was directed by Pesi Karani for producer Kikubhai Desai and co-starred Bibbo and E. Billimoria.^[24]

By January 1942, Mazhar had continuously worked for fourteen years in the film industry and acted in over 112 films.^[7] He directed his first film in 1942, called Meri Duniya on Hindu-Muslim unity, for National Artists, Bombay. Mazhar played a Sufi philosopher, with Hari Shivdasani and Kaushalya in lead roles.^[25] Mazhar set up his production company, Asiatic Pictures the same year, with the foundation ceremony for its maiden production Yad (Yaad) performed by V. Shantaram.^[26] The heroine was new to Hindi\Urdu cinema though she had earlier acted in successful Punjabi films.^[27]

Under his new banner Mazhar Art Productions, Mazhar made Badi Baat (1944) and Pehli Nazar in 1945. Pehli Nazar introduced Munawwar Sultana to the Indian film industry. The film was directed by Mazhar, with story, dialogues and lyrics by Safdar "Aah". Singer Mukesh, who made his debut as a playback singer in 1941, in Nirdosh, gained popularity from Pehli Nazar, with the song, "Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne De" (Let The Heart Smolder), which became "an instant hit".^[28]