Stories about yesteryear actors falling on hard times aren’t uncommon. Major movie stars who ruled over the industry in the 1950s and 1960s often found themselves destitute in their old age, because they didn’t have the foresight to save up for a rainy day. In a recent interview, actor Raza Murad cited his own father’s example to make a point about the importance of saving money. His father was the famous character actor Murad, who worked in over 500 films over the course of his career, which began before India gained Independence. He went on to work in iconic films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Mughal-E-Azam, Andaz, and even a Hollywood project, Tarzan Goes to India.
Chatting on the Filmy Charcha YouTube channel, Raza Murad said, “I have witnessed difficulties in life. I have experienced poverty. Our house in Bhopal didn’t have electricity. I would have to study for my exams under a lamp post. I would start at midnight and finish at 6 am.” When it was mentioned that several yesteryear performers in the film industry have experienced financial setbacks in the final years of their life, Raza Murad said that they are responsible for their own misfortunes, because they should have planned better.
Actor Murad in 1986. (Express Archive)
He continued, “When you earn money, you should think about your old age. Even crew members in our industry have their own houses. They have savings. They know that income could stop any day, they know that their health could fail. Why should you beg before someone? I wouldn’t want to take any names, but there were many actors who were extremely busy during their heyday. They earned a lot of money and fame, but they spent all of it. When they grew older, they were forced to live in rented accommodation even though they used to live in lavish bungalows. I saw them travelling by auto rickshaws.”
The veteran actor added, citing the example of his own father, “A lot of people didn’t save. There were many heroes from the 50s and 60s who were much in demand during their peak, but had tremendous difficulty in their old age. They should have planned for the future. It’s so unfortunate, but such is life. You must think about your family’s future as well. If you have children, then it is your responsibility to look after them. I’ve seen this personally. My father must have worked in over 500 films. But we never had a car, and we used to live in a rented house. The first thing I did after establishing myself was to buy a house. Sometimes, you learn what not to do in life from your elders. I don’t want to disparage my father; he lived like he wanted to. But I established myself at the right time, otherwise…”
K Kapoor, Director JK Nanda, Shekhar, Producer AR Kardar, Murad and Jeevan at the opening night of film Chamkee. (Express Archive)
In an earlier chat with the media, he spoke about his early days in the film business, and the teachings that he received from his father. “In those days, we didn’t have a car. I would travel by the bus or by train. He would tell me, ‘Son, if you see a lady standing, offer your seat to her. And if a lady is sitting and there is an empty seat next to her, take her permission before sitting down’. He moved to Mumbai in 1938 because he had no option. He was banished from his home town because he had an altercation with Raza Ali Khan, the nawab of Rampur. He was given 24 hours to leave. He wanted to become a writer, but Mr Mehboob hired him as an actor. He worked in over 500 films, and he probably has a world record for playing judges. He played a judge in 300 films. He made Rampur world-famous, he was known as Murad Rampuri.”
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Film star Achala Sachdev, Romi and Murad in film Hum Pancchi Ek Dal Ke. (Express Archive)
Asked about the circumstances in which he started his acting journey, Raza Murad told Sadabahar Fankar, “My father was getting on in age, and I knew that I had to start working to run the household. In 1968, my father told me that he would try and get me into FTII after I complete my higher education. I decided, while doing the course, that I would give acting five years. If it doesn’t work out for me in five years, I would try another profession.” Raza Murad has established himself as a character actor of his father’s calibre, with hundreds of movies on his resume. Murad died in 1997.
