David Abraham Cheulkar
Encyclopedia
David Abraham Cheulkar (1909–1981), popularly known as David, was a Jewish-Indian, Hindi
film actor, who started his film career with 1941 film Naya Sansar
and went on to act in over 110 films.
He was actively associated with IPTA
and hence was part of many Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
's films, including, Pardesi, Shehar Aur Sapna
, Munaa and Char Dil Char Raahein. He was a member of Bombay's Bene Israel
community.
Strongly associated with friendly uncle roles, David is best known for his portrayal of John Chacha in the 1954 hit Boot Polish
, directed by Prakash Arora for which he won the 1955
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
. The song "Nanhe Munne Bachche" from the film, picturized with him became a memorable song of that era. He never married and died on 28 December 1981 in Toronto, Canada.
In his prime, in the period 1959-1975, David was one of the best and the well-known anchor and the host of the prominent award shows and other functions. 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 awarded Padma Shri
award in 1969.
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film actor, who started his film career with 1941 film Naya Sansar
Naya Sansar (1941 film)
Naya Sansar is a 1941 Hindi film on radical journalism, directed by reporter turned director, N. R. Acharya , and written by a journalist himself, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, who started his film career with this film. It won him the Bengal Film Journalists Award for the best story and screenplay.It had...
and went on to act in over 110 films.
He was actively associated with IPTA
Ipta
IPTA can refer to:* Indian People's Theatre Association* International Pulsar Timing Array...
and hence was part of many Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas , popularly known as K. A. Abbas, was an Indian film director, novelist, screenwriter, and a journalist in the Urdu, Hindi and English languages...
's films, including, Pardesi, Shehar Aur Sapna
Shehar Aur Sapna
Shehar Aur Sapna is 1963 Hindi film directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas.It was based on Abbas's own story, 'One Thousand Nights on a Bed of Stones', which describes the struggle in the life of pavement dwellers in the backdrop of rapid industrialisation.-Awards:* 1964 National Film Award for Best Film*...
, Munaa and Char Dil Char Raahein. He was a member of Bombay's Bene Israel
Bene Israel
The Bene Israel are a group of Jews who migrated in the 19th century from villages in the Konkan area to the nearby Indian cities, primarily Mumbai, but also to Pune, and Ahmedabad. Prior to these waves of emigrations and to this day, the Bene Israel formed the largest sector of the subcontinent's...
community.
Strongly associated with friendly uncle roles, David is best known for his portrayal of John Chacha in the 1954 hit Boot Polish
Boot Polish (film)
Boot Polish is a 1954 Hindi film directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor. It won Best Film at the Filmfare Awards and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
, directed by Prakash Arora for which he won the 1955
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
. The song "Nanhe Munne Bachche" from the film, picturized with him became a memorable song of that era. He never married and died on 28 December 1981 in Toronto, Canada.
Selected filmography
- Gehri Chot: Urf - Door-Desh (1983) - Released after his death.
- Sumbandh (1982) - Released after his death.
- Khatta MeethaKhatta MeethaKhatta Meetha is a 1978 Hindi movie directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Bindiya Goswami, Pearl Padamsee, David Abraham Cheulkar, Ranjit Chowdhry, Preeti Ganguly, Deven Verma, Pradeep Kumar and Iftekhar. The films music is by Rajesh Roshan...
(1981) - KhubsooratKhubsooratKhubsoorat is a 1980 Indian Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, whose direction together with dialogues by Gulzar created a comedy classic. Rekha shined in a first all-out comic role, with her brilliant comic timing....
(1980) - Gol MaalGol MaalGol Maal is a 1979 Bollywood comedy movie directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film was produced by Mukherjee and N.C.Sippy with music by Rahul Dev Burman...
(1979) - Baton Baton MeinBaton Baton MeinBaton Baton Mein is a 1979 romantic comedy film produced and directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Amol Palekar and Tina Munim in leading roles...
(1979) - Hamare TumhareHamare TumhareHamare Tumhare is a 1979 Hindi movie produced by F. C. Mehra and directed by Umesh Mehra. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar, Rakhee, Amjad Khan, Prem Krishen, David, Mehmood, Asrani, Anil Kapoor, Lucky Ali, and Amrish Puri. The films music is by R. D. Burman....
(1979) - Satyam Shivam SundaramSatyam Shivam SundaramSatyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:...
(1978) -- Bade Babu - Khatta MeethaKhatta MeethaKhatta Meetha is a 1978 Hindi movie directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Bindiya Goswami, Pearl Padamsee, David Abraham Cheulkar, Ranjit Chowdhry, Preeti Ganguly, Deven Verma, Pradeep Kumar and Iftekhar. The films music is by Rajesh Roshan...
(1978) - Shatranj Ke KhilariShatranj Ke KhilariShatranj Ke Khilari is a 1977 Indian film by Bengali director Satyajit Ray, based on Munshi Premchand's short story of the same name. Amjad Khan plays the role of Avadh king Wajid Ali Shah, and Richard Attenborough plays the role of General James Outram...
(1977) - Chupke ChupkeChupke ChupkeChupke Chupke is a 1975 Indian film comedy starring Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee. The movie, a remake of the Bengali hit 'Chhaddobeshi', was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee with music composed by S.D....
(1975) - AbhimaanAbhimaanAbhimaan is a 1973 Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan; his real-life wife, Jaya Bachchan; Asrani; and Bindu. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.The film is perhaps best remembered for its songs, composed and arranged by the late S. D...
(1973) - AnuraagAnuraagAnuraag may refer to:*Anuraag , see Bollywood films of 1956*Anuraag...
(1972) - Haathi Mere SaathiHaathi Mere SaathiHaathi Mere Saathi is an Indian film and a favourite with children in the early 1970s. The movie has a Disneyesque appeal with an Indian twist...
(1971) - Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (1969)
- SatyakamSatyakamSatyakam is a 1969 Indian Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel by the same name by Narayan Sanyal.. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar...
(1969) - Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968)
- UpkarUpkarUpkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Manoj Kumar started his Mr Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.-Plot:...
(1967) - Anupama (1966)
- MamtaMamta (1966 film)Mamta is a Hindi film, directed by Asit Sen, with music by Roshan. The movie starred Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra. The film performed "above average" at the box office.-Plot:...
(1966) - Himalay Ki Godh Mein (1965)
- Ek Phool Char KaanteEk Phool Char KaanteEk Phool Char Kaante is a 1960 film directed by Bhappi Sonie The film stars Sunil Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Johnny Walker, Gopi and Tun Tun. The films music is by Shankar Jaikishan....
(1960) - Amar DeepAmar Deep (1958 film)Amar Deep is a 1958 Hindi movie directed by T Prakash Rao. The film stars Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala, Pran, Padmini, Johnny Walker and Om Prakash. The film's music is by C Ramachandra.A couple of songs from the film , were great hits.-Plot:Aruna lives a wealthy lifestyle with her paternal grandfather...
(1958) - Pardesi (1957)
- Bhai Bhai (1956)
- Boot PolishBoot Polish (film)Boot Polish is a 1954 Hindi film directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor. It won Best Film at the Filmfare Awards and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(1954) - Insaaf (1946)
- Nargis (1946)
- Ghulami (1945)
- Insaan (1944)
- Tasveer (1943)
- Anjaan (1941)
- Naya SansarNaya Sansar (1941 film)Naya Sansar is a 1941 Hindi film on radical journalism, directed by reporter turned director, N. R. Acharya , and written by a journalist himself, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, who started his film career with this film. It won him the Bengal Film Journalists Award for the best story and screenplay.It had...
(1941)
In his prime, in the period 1959-1975, David was one of the best and the well-known anchor and the host of the prominent award shows and other functions. In one of the speeches Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
, the prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, told any of the event will be surely be incomplete without David's speech. He was awarded Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
award in 1969.