Rajat Bedi
Rajat Narendra Bedi is an Indo-Canadian actor, who primarily appears in Hindi cinema. He is best known for portraying Raj Saxena in the film '' Koi... Mil Gaya'' (2003).
Career
Bedi has worked over 40 films, including ''Rakht'' (2004), '' Kham ...
an Manek Bedi.
As a screenwriter and dialogue writer, he is best known for
Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Hrishikesh Mukherjee (30 September 1922 – 27 August 2006) was an Indian film director, editor and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema. Popularly known as ''Hrishi-da'', he directed 42 films during his ca ...
Satyakam
''Satyakam'' is a 1969 Indian drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Narayan Sanyal. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar. The film was scored by Laxmikant ...
''; and
Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy (12 July 1909 – 8 January 1966) was an Indian film director. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as '' Do Bigha Zamin'', '' Parineeta'', '' Biraj Bahu'', ''Devdas'', ''Madhumati'', '' Sujata'', '' ...
's ''
Madhumati
''Madhumati'' is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language paranormal romance film directed and produced by Bimal Roy, and written by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Dilip Kumar in lead roles, with Pran and John ...
''. As a director he is known for '' Dastak'' (1970), starring
Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrille ...
Phagun
Phaggaṇ ( pa, ਫੱਗਣ, ) is the twelfth and last month of the Nanakshahi calendar, which governs activities within Sikhism. This month coincides with Phalguna in the Hindu calendar and the Indian National calendar, and February and March o ...
'' (1973), starring
Dharmendra
Dharam Singh Deol (born 8 December 1935), also known Mononymous person, mononymously as Dharmendra, is an Indian actor, producer and politician who is known for his work in Hindi films. Known as the first "He-Man" of Bollywood, Dharmendra has w ...
,
Waheeda Rehman
Waheeda Rehman (born 3 February 1938) is an Indian actress and dancer. Regarded as one of Hindi cinema's finest actresses, Rehman's accolades include a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. Rehman was honoured with the Padma Shri by G ...
,
Jaya Bhaduri
Jaya Bachchan (''née'' Bhaduri; born 9 April 1948) is an Indian actress and politician. She is a member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from the Samajwadi Party, serving four terms since 2004. Known primarily for her work in Hindi and Bengali ...
Sialkot district
Sialkot District (Punjabi and ur, ), is one of the districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located in the Majha region of Panjab, otherwise the northeast of the province. The city of Sialkot is the capital of the district. The Sialko ...
,
Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising a ...
, now in
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...
, to Hira Singh Bedi and Seva Dai. He spent his early years in
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city ...
, where he received his education in Urdu, as it was common to most Punjabi families, though he never graduated from a college.
Career
His first collection of short stories, ''Daan-O-Daam'' (The Catch), featuring his prominent story "Garam Coat" (Warm Coat) was published in 1940. In 1942, he published his second collection of short stories, ''Grehan'' (The Eclipse).
In 1943, he joined Maheshwari Films, a small Lahore film studio, although after one and half years he returned to All India Radio and was posted to Jammu, where he worked until 1947, and became the Director of Jammu and Kashmir Broadcasting Service.
By the time of Partition Rajinder Singh Bedi had published numerous more short stories, and had made a name for himself as a prolific writer. His Urdu novel, ''Ek Chadar Maili Si'', translated into English as ''I Take This Woman'', received the
Sahitya Akademi Award
The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...
in 1965. The book was later translated into Hindi, Kashmiri and Bengali.
His later collections of short stories were ''Kokh Jali'' and ''Apne Dukh Mujhe Dedo'' and a collection of plays, ''Saat Khel''.
Films
After the partition of India in 1947, he moved to
Bombay
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second-m ...
, and started working with D. D. Kashyap and got his first screen credit for dialogue, in the 1949 film '' Badi Bahen'', although he received greater recognition for his second film '' Daag'', a 1952 film.
In 1954, he joined with Amar Kumar, Balraj Sahni, Geeta Bali and others to create a new company called Cine Cooperative. In 1955, it produced its first film, ''Garam Coat''. Based on Bedi's short story ''Garam Coat'', starring Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy, and directed by Aman Kumar, the film gave Bedi the chance to write an entire screenplay.
Their second film, ''Rangoli'' (1962), starring Kishore Kumar, Vyjayantimala, and Durga Khote, was also directed by Amar Kumar.
He continued to display his range in dialogue writing styles in many classic Hindi films, starting with
Sohrab Modi
Sohrab Merwanji Modi (2 November 1897 – 28 January 1984) was an Indian stage and film actor, director and producer. His films include ''Khoon Ka Khoon'' (1935), a version of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'', '' Sikandar'', ''Pukar'', ''Prithvi Va ...
's ''
Mirza Ghalib
)
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Kala Mahal, Agra, Maratha Confederacy
, death_date =
, death_place = Gali Qasim Jaan, Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, British India
, occupation = Poet
, language ...
'' (1954),
Bimal Roy
Bimal Roy (12 July 1909 – 8 January 1966) was an Indian film director. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as '' Do Bigha Zamin'', '' Parineeta'', '' Biraj Bahu'', ''Devdas'', ''Madhumati'', '' Sujata'', '' ...
's ''
Devdas
''Devdas'' ( bn, দেবদাস, transliterated as ''Debdās'') is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. The story pivots a tragic triangle linking Devdas, an archetypal lover in viraha (separation); Paro, his forbidd ...
'' (1955), and ''
Madhumati
''Madhumati'' is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language paranormal romance film directed and produced by Bimal Roy, and written by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Dilip Kumar in lead roles, with Pran and John ...
Satyakam
''Satyakam'' is a 1969 Indian drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Narayan Sanyal. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar. The film was scored by Laxmikant ...
'' (1969) and '' Abhimaan'' (1973).
He made his directorial debut with Hindi classic '' Dastak'' (1970), starring
Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrille ...
Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan is a form of the Hindu god, Krishna.
Krishna is celebrated as ''Madan Mohan'', who mesmerizes everyone. His consort, Radha is glorified as Madan Mohan's ''Mohini'', who can even mesmerise Madan Mohan (her Kahn). Radha is known as th ...
, and in the following decade he directed three more films: ''Phagun'' (1973), ''Nawab Sahib'' (1978) and ''Aankhin Dekhi'' (1978).
His novella ''Ek Chadar Maili Si'' was made into a film in Pakistan, ''Mutthi Bhar Chawal'' (1978) and later in India, as ''
Ek Chadar Maili Si
''Ek Chadar Maili Si'' is a 1986 film, directed by Sukhwant Dhadda, and is an adaptation of Rajinder Singh Bedi's classic Urdu novella by the same name. The novel won the 1965 Sahitya Akademi Award.
The film stars Hema Malini, Kulbhushan Kharb ...
'' (1986).
His son Narender Bedi was also a film director and the maker of films including ''
Jawani Diwani
''Jawani Diwani'' () is a 1972 Hindi-language musical romance film directed by Narender Bedi, and starring Randhir Kapoor, Jaya Bhaduri, Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy as leads. This was also Kader Khan's debut as a dialogue writer.
The film is mo ...
'' (1972), ''Benaam'' (1974), ''Rafoo Chakkar'' (1975), and ''Sanam Teri Kasam'' (1982). He died in 1982, a few years after Bedi's wife. Thereafter, Bedi's health consistently deteriorated. He suffered paralysis in 1982 and died in Bombay two years later.
His short story 'Lajwanti' was made into a telefilm, by
Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta (born 4 June 1959) is an Indian actress and television director who works in Hindi films and television. Known for her work in both art-house and commercial films, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for pl ...
in 2006.
Legacy
In his memory, the Government of Punjab has started a "Rajinder Singh Bedi Award" in the field of Urdu Literature.
Filmography
*
Ek Chadar Maili Si
''Ek Chadar Maili Si'' is a 1986 film, directed by Sukhwant Dhadda, and is an adaptation of Rajinder Singh Bedi's classic Urdu novella by the same name. The novel won the 1965 Sahitya Akademi Award.
The film stars Hema Malini, Kulbhushan Kharb ...
(1986) – Story
* Aankhon Dekhi (1978) – Director
*
Mutthi Bhar Chawal
''Mutthi Bhar Chawal'' (A Handful of Rice) is a 1978 Pakistani classical Urdu film based on a short novel of Rajinder Singh Bedi, ''Ek Chadar Maili Si''. Directed by Sangeeta and composed by Kamal Ahmed, it features Sangeeta, Nadeem Baig, Kav ...
Phagun
Phaggaṇ ( pa, ਫੱਗਣ, ) is the twelfth and last month of the Nanakshahi calendar, which governs activities within Sikhism. This month coincides with Phalguna in the Hindu calendar and the Indian National calendar, and February and March o ...
Satyakam
''Satyakam'' is a 1969 Indian drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Narayan Sanyal. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar. The film was scored by Laxmikant ...
(1969) – Dialogue
*
Mere Hamdam Mere Dost
''Mere Hamdam Mere Dost'' is a 1968 film starring Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Rehman, Mumtaz and Om Prakash. The music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal and the lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The film is directed by Amar Kumar and produced by Kewal Ku ...
(1968) – Screenwriter
*
Baharon Ke Sapne
''Baharon Ke Sapne'' (Dreams of Spring) is a 1967 Hindi film made under Nasir Hussain films' banner. It starred Rajesh Khanna and the Nasir Hussain fixture - Asha Parekh. It also had Premnath, Madan Puri and another Nasir Hussain fixture Rajend ...
Mere Sanam
''Mere Sanam'' (English: ''My Lover'' hi, मेरे सनम) is a 1965 Hindi film starring Biswajeet, Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Pran and Rajendra Nath. The film was a hit at the box office, especially because of the musical score by Majroo ...
(1965) – Screenwriter, Dialogue
*
Rangoli
Rangoli is an art form that originates from in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered lime stone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petal ...
(1962) – Dialogue, screenwriter, Producer
*
Aas Ka Panchhi
''Aas Ka Panchhi'' is a 1961 Hindi movie produced by J. Om Prakash. It was written by Mohan Kumar and Rajinder Singh Bedi and directed by Mohan Kumar.
The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Vyjayanthimala and Leela Chitnis. The film's music was by ...
(1961) – Screenwriter
* ''
Mem-Didi
''Memdidi'' is a 1961 Hindi film produced by L. B. Lachman and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars David, Jayant, Lalita Pawar, Asit Sen and Tanuja. The film's music is by Salil Choudhury. Hrishikesh Mukherjee also directed its re ...
Madhumati
''Madhumati'' is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language paranormal romance film directed and produced by Bimal Roy, and written by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Dilip Kumar in lead roles, with Pran and John ...
Milap
''Milap'' is a 1972 Bollywood action film directed by B. R. Ishara. The film stars Shatrughan Sinha, Reena Roy and Danny Denzongpa in lead roles.
Cast
* Shatrughan Sinha as Ravi / Raju
* Reena Roy as Rani Chalava / Rukmani
* Danny Denzongpa ...
Devdas
''Devdas'' ( bn, দেবদাস, transliterated as ''Debdās'') is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. The story pivots a tragic triangle linking Devdas, an archetypal lover in viraha (separation); Paro, his forbidd ...
(1955) – Dialogue
*
Mirza Ghalib
)
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Kala Mahal, Agra, Maratha Confederacy
, death_date =
, death_place = Gali Qasim Jaan, Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, British India
, occupation = Poet
, language ...
Madhumati
''Madhumati'' is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language paranormal romance film directed and produced by Bimal Roy, and written by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Dilip Kumar in lead roles, with Pran and John ...
Satyakam
''Satyakam'' is a 1969 Indian drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Narayan Sanyal. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar. The film was scored by Laxmikant ...
'' (1969)
Literary awards
* 1965
Sahitya Akademi Award
The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...
Urdu :''Ek Chadar Maili Si'' ('I Take This Woman')
* 1978 Ghalib Award – Urdu Drama.
Bibliography
* ''I Take This Woman''. Penguin India. .
* ''Rajinder Singh Bedi: Selected Short Stories'' (In English). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1989.
* ''Give Me Your Sorrows'' trans. Leonard, Karen, Indian Literature, Delhi, 1968.
* ''Grahan'' (Urdu). Maktaba Jamia, 1992.
* ''Garam Kot'' (Urdu). Sang-e-Meel Publications.
* ''Majmua Rajindar Singh Bedi''. Sang-e-Meel Publications.
* ''Sat Khel''. Maktaba Jamia, 1982.
* ''Dastak''. Hind Pocket Book, 1971.
* ''The Penguin Book of Classic Urdu Stories''. Penguin, 2006. .
* ''Lajwanti, Land of five rivers''. Orient Paperbacks Delhi, 1956.
Work on Rajinder Singh Bedi
* Rajinder Singh Bedi: Shakhsiyat aur Fan by Jagdish Chander Wadhawan, 1999, Educational Publishing House, .
*''Rajinder Singh Bedi: A Study'', by Varis Hussain Alvi. 2006.
Rajinder Singh Bedi ''Sounds and Whispers: Reflections on the Literary Scene, 1984–86'', by Abulkhair Kashfi, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif. Asasa Books, 1991. Chapter 25 – "Rajinder Singh Bedi:The Last Pillar Of Modem Urdu Short Story", page 111.
* ''India Partitioned: The Other Face of Freedom'', edited by
Mushirul Hasan
Mushirul Hasan (15 August 1949 – 10 December 2018) was a historian of modern India. He wrote on the partition of India, communalism, and on the history of Islam in South Asia.
Education
Hasan was the second son of historian Mohibbul Hasan ...
. New Delhi, Roli Books, 1995
* ''Shadow Lives: Writings on Widowhood'', edited by Uma Chakravarti and Preeti Gill. Kali for Women, New Delhi. 2002.Writings on Widowhood ''
The Tribune ''The Tribune'' or ''Tribune'' is the name of various newspapers:
United States Daily California
*'' Oakland Tribune''
* ''The Tribune'' (San Luis Obispo)
*''San Gabriel Valley Tribune''
Indiana
*'' Kokomo Tribune''
*'' Peru Tribune''
* ''The Tri ...
'', 29 September 2002.
See also
*
Urdu literature
Urdu literature ( ur, , ) is literature in the Urdu language. While it tends to be dominated by poetry, especially the verse forms of the ''ghazal '' غزل and '' nazm '' نظم, it has expanded into other styles of writing, including that of ...