Last updated:
The first superstar of Hindi cinema who passed away at the age of 42, due to the addiction. He has been considered as his guru by veterans like Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar. Apart from singing, he was also expert in acting, whose …Read more
The actor was only 42 years old then. (Photo courtesy: Instagram@klsaigalfan)
Highlights
- Actor was the first superstar of Hindi cinema.
- The film ‘Devdas’ made the actor a superstar.
- The actor died at the age of 42 due to alcohol addiction.
New Delhi: There have been more than one artist in Hindi cinema. From Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan, many actors ruled at different stages. You will not believe, but stardom culture is older than Rajesh Khanna. When India was not independent from the British fetters, then Indian cinema was dominated by a star, in front of the stardom, the popularity of a star like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan also looked dwarf.
Kundan Lal Sehgal became famous in the 30 and 40s. He was an excellent singer and actor. If he calls him the first superstar of Hindi cinema, it will not be wrong. Born in Jammu, KL Sehgal learned songs from his mother, who used to take him to bhajan and kirtan in childhood. He started his career as a singer in Calcutta in the early 30s. He made her acting debut in 1932 with the film ‘Mohabbat Ke Tear’.
KL Sehgal became ‘Devdas’ as ‘Devdas’
KL Sehgal used the name ‘Sehgal Kashmiri’ for her first few films, but she was all flops. His success came from the 1933 film ‘Puran Bhagat’, in which his hymns became hits. This was followed by films like ‘Chandidas’ and ‘Jewish Ki Girl’. He played the role in 1935, which gave him a special identity. He became ‘Devdas’ as ‘Devdas’. This film of PC Barua made him a superstar. KL Sehgal gave hit films like ‘President’, ‘Dharti Mata’, ‘Street Singer’ and ‘Dushman’. He also worked in some Bengali films in the meantime.
Life lost due to liver disease
KL Sehgal moved to Bombay in 1941 and gave hit films like ‘Tansen’ and ‘My Sister’. But till now he has become addicted to alcohol. According to the report of Hindustan Times, they were able to come on the set only when they were drunk. His dependence on alcohol had a profound impact on his life. He gave hit films like ‘Shah Jahan’ and ‘Umar Khaiyyam’ in 1946 and ‘Parwana’ in 1947. ‘Parwana’ was his last film, which was released after his death. KL Sehgal went to his city Jalandhar in early 1947, where he died of liver failure. He was only 42 years old then. Veterans like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi considered him their gurus.
