David Abraham Cheulkar

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David Abraham
Born David Abraham Cheulkar
1909
Died December 28, 1981
Toronto, Canada
Years active 1941–1981

David Abraham Cheulkar (1909–December 28, 1981), popularly known as David, was a Jewish-Indian, Hindi film actor. In a career spanning four decades, he played mostly character roles, starting with 1941 film Naya Sansar, and went on to act in over 110 films, including memorable films like, Gol Maal (1979), Baton Baton Mein (1979) and Boot Polish (1954) for which he was awarded the 1955 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.[1]

Career[edit]

A member of Mumbai's Marathi speaking Bene Israel community, he was actively associated with IPTA, a theatre organization and hence went on take part of many Khwaja Ahmad Abbas's films, including, Palme d'Or nominee Pardesi (1957),[2] Shehar Aur Sapna (1963), which won the 1964 National Film Award for Best Feature Film, Munaa and Char Dil Char Raahein.

Strongly associated with friendly uncle roles, David is best known for his portrayal of "John Chacha" [3] in the 1954 hit and Filmfare Award for Best Film winner and Palme d'Or nominee,[4] Boot Polish, directed by Prakash Arora, for which he won the 1955 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.[5] The song "Nanhe Munne Bachche" from the film, picturized with him became a memorable song of that era.

In his prime, in the period 1959-1975, David was one of the best and the well-known anchor, compere and the host of the prominent award shows and other functions.[6] In one of the speeches Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister, told any of the event will be surely be incomplete without David's speech.

He was involved in promoting sports,[6][7] and later became India's Olympic Games representative[8] He was awarded the Padma Shri award in 1969 by Government of India.[9]

He never married and died on 28 December 1981 in Toronto, Canada of heart attack at the age of 73.[10]

Selected filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bollywood once had a Jewish connection Published: Sunday,,". DNA (newspaper). Mar 6, 2011. 
  2. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Journey Beyond Three Seas". festival-cannes.com. 
  3. ^ Vail, p. 118
  4. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Boot Polish". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved March 31, 2012. 
  5. ^ List of Filmfare Award Winners and Nominations, 1953-2005
  6. ^ a b Benjamin J. Israel (1998). The Jews of India. Mosaic Books. p. 200. ISBN 81-85399-43-3. 
  7. ^ Vail, p. 120
  8. ^ Sight & Sound (British Film Institute). 26-27: p. 200. 1957. 
  9. ^ "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)". Ministry of Home Affairs. 
  10. ^ Sir Stanley Reed; The Times of India (1984). "Deaths, 1982: January 1". The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Bennett, Coleman & Co. p. 836. "Death date January 1, 1982" 
  11. ^ "Bambai Raat Ki Bahon Mein (1968)". The Hindu. April 8, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013. 
  • Shalṿah Ṿail (2006). India's Jewish heritage: Ritual, Art & Life-Cycle. Mārg Publications. ISBN 81-85026-58-0. 

External links[edit]
1955–1960
1961–1980
1981–2000
2001–present
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