Motilal Rajvansh

Born: December 4, 1910, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Died: June 17, 1965, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Motilal Rajvansh is celebrated as one of the earliest natural actors of Hindi cinema, renowned for bringing realism, subtlety and effortless charm to the silver screen at a time when melodramatic styles dominated the industry. Born in Shimla in 1910, he went on to shape a distinguished career marked by memorable performances and a unique acting sensibility that influenced generations of performers.

Cinematic Legacy

Motilal’s approach to acting was refreshingly modern—he favoured conversational dialogue delivery, nuanced expressions, and a quiet intensity that transformed the way characters were portrayed in Indian films. His roles in several classics remain benchmarks of naturalistic performance in Hindi cinema.

Awards & Achievements

In recognition of his exceptional talent, Motilal received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award twice:

• Devdas (1955) – for his unforgettable portrayal of Chunni Babu
• Parakh (1960) – for yet another exemplary performance

These honours stand testament to his versatility and deep understanding of the craft.

Commemoration

To acknowledge his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on Motilal Rajvansh as part of the special series ‘100 Years of Indian Cinema’. The stamp serves as a tribute to his pioneering legacy and enduring influence on the evolution of Hindi film acting.