Jankidas Mehra (1910 – 18 June 2003) was an Indian actor of Hindi cinema, cyclist, production designer, and writer. He made over 1000 film appearances between the 1930s and 1997.[1]

Jankidas
An AI-upscaled image of Jankidas in a promotional poster of Hanste Aansoo (1950)
Born
Jankidas Mehra

1910
Died18 June 2003 (aged 92–93)
Years active1930s–1998
ChildrenShanoo Mehra

Biography

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Sports

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Although various press articles in India mention Jankidas as being a member of the International Olympic Committee at the 1936 Olympic Games and being the only Indian to have broken the world record in cycling between 1934 and 1942,[2] the India at the 1936 Summer Olympics page does not mention him. Nor do any IOC or Cycling records mention his name.

In the 1940s, along with Sohrab Bhoot, he founded the Cycling Federation of India.

 
Cycling Federation of India founders J. Das (left) and Sohrab Bhoot (right)

Films

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Jankidas debuted in films playing a major role in Khazanchi (1941), produced in Lahore. He was not seen again until 1946, when he would appear in Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani. From then on he would continue to play roles with increasing vigour over the years.[1]

As a production designer, Jankidas was responsible for the founding of many famous Indian actor's careers. He was responsible for Madhubala's role in Sohrab Modi's Daulat in 1947, and introduced Meena Kumari in Nanabhai Bhatt's Hamara Ghar, and Khushbu in Sunil Dutt's Dard Ka Rishta.[2] He also introduced actress Mala Sinha in Hamlet, produced and directed by Kishore Sahu.

In 1985, he wrote the script for the film Yaadon Ki Kasam.

Jankidas was the recipient of numerous national and international awards. In May 1996, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association.[2]

Jankidas was also an author and wrote numerous books on Bollywood and the acting profession. He published My Misadventures in Filmland and Acting for Beginners.[1]

Selected filmography

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Year Film Character/Role
1941 Khazanchi News reporter
1946 Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani Dr. Mukherjee
1948 Rambaan
1949 Aiye
1949 Daulat
1950 Babul Ashok's father
1950 Hanste Ansoo Kumar's father
1958 Kala Pani Daulat Chand
1960 Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere Teacher
1965 Arzoo Ramesh's servant
Adhi Raat Ke Baad
1966 Daadi Maa Pandit Gyandutt
1967 Patthar Ke Sanam Mr. Poojari
Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan Shopkeeper
Parivar Paan seller
1968 Sadhu Aur Shaitaan Seth Jankidas
1969 Sajan (1969 film) Tarakilal, Stage Show Organizer
1970 Pushpanjali Tourist guide
Khilona (1970 film) Advocate Jankidas
1971 Chingari Pandit
Naya Zamana Sitaram
1972 Seeta Aur Geeta Secretary
Yeh Gulistan Hamara Haku
1974 Patthar Aur Payal Jankidas,Casino Manager
1975 Khel Khel Mein Seth Ghanshyam Das,Jewellery Store Owner
1976 Sankoch Vidyavathi Father
1977 Saheb Bahadur Astrolger
Kasam Khoon Ki Seth Dwarkadas
1978 Tumhari Kasam Tikam Seth
Bhola Bhala
Des Pardes Daiyal
Azaad (1978 film) Diwanji
1979 Sargam Landlord
Khandaan Kedarnath
Prem Bandhan Rodrigues
1980 Khanjar
The Burning Train Ticket Collector in Express Train
Kali Ghata
1982 Taaqat
1983 Humse Na Jeeta Koi Lala
Paanchwin Manzil Gyanchand
Nishaan Pandit
Naukar Biwi Ka Director Personnel Assistant
1984 Sharaabi Rustomjee Bandookwala
Phulwari Antique Shop Owner
Laila Pandit
1985 Karishma Kudrat Kaa Seth Jankidas, Jeweller
1986 Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Dulha Pandit
1987 Goraa Seth Tarachand
Insaniyat Ke Dushman Manager
Hukumat Ticket Collector at Railway station
Sitapur Ki Geeta Bread Man
Mera Yaar Mera Dushman Club Manager
Sadak Chhap Seth Jankidas
1988 Shoorveer House Servant
Kanwarlal Trivedi
Maalamaal Antique Shop Owner
Bees Saal Baad Estate Agent/Broker Jankidas
1991 Farishtay Foreign Terrorist (Cameo/Guest) Role
Iraada Janki
Dushman Devta Pandit
1993 Dhanwaan Pensioner club Member
1998 Ghar Bazar Gupta

Death

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Jankidas had a heart ailment for a substantial period of time, but was discharged from the local hospital two days before his death.[2] He died of cardiac failure at his Juhu residence on Wednesday 18 June 2003. He was 93.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Veteran actor Jankidas passes away". The Times of India. 18 June 2003. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "Veteran actor Jankidas passes away". Rediff.com. 18 June 2003. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
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