Remembering An Untold Story of Balraj Sahni

Memories from the lane, A star who became a star...

Mahabharata comes to mind as soon as Yudhishthir's name is mentioned. There is another Yudhishthir too! He was and is famous too!

He was educated and has been teaching! He was not ignorant of acting on stage either! Religious too, attachment to the concepts of Marxist ideology! Even went to jail, but neither a criminal nor a leader!

This Yudhishthir was a Punjabi but he also belonged to the world!

He was a favorite actor OMER SHARIF and was also loved by Tagore.

Had nothing to do with politics but still was seen campaigning for a leader!

Although he was not as famous as Raj Kapoor, he was also a star in acting.

Okay, Let me tell you about this Punjabi Yudhishthir, who was loved by the world. Balraj Sahni's real name was Yudhishthir!

In the Lok Sabha elections of 1971, Balraj Sahni, influenced by Indira Gandhi's slogan of 'Garibi Hatao', kept campaigning in Chandigarh as if he had come to his maternal home.

He kept speaking Punjabi everywhere and said – I am sweetening my tongue by speaking Punjabi!

At our request, he also visited our college! He listened to me on the way and said

-You can write well! Start writing!

Balraj Sahni got recognition from “Do Bigha Zameen”! Aamir Khan also acknowledged the brilliance of his acting and said - If I can act even 10 percent like him, then I will consider myself successful!

His acting in “Garm Hawa” reaches its peak! The acting in “Kabuliwala” shows what a father is!

On Tagore's insistence, he wrote in Punjabi. All the books are worth reading but “Gair Jazbati Diary” is a real hit!

The concept of Marxist ideology was ingrained in his mind. There was also the light of Guru Granth Sahib in the house!

On his death, Khushwant Singh had written-

He came into this world on May 1st, which is Labor Day! He took his heavenly abode on April the 13th, which is the origin of Khalsa Panth! Was he a Marxist or was he Sikh by heart, will be Mystery forever!

On this day the great artist said goodbye to the world!

Story By Omprakash

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