Karan Dewan

He rode a camel to school and a train to Calcutta for his first starring assignment in “Bhakt Dhruv.” Born in Gujranwalla, West Punjab, on November 6, 1917, Dewan Karan  Chopra, had always wanted to be an actor. After his work in the devotional, he came to Bombay to work in films, but failed to get con­tracts. Disappointed, he returned to Delhi and tried for a job in All-India Radio, also the Navy. He was meanwhile offered the lead in the Punjabi film “Mere Mahi,” which he took.

Karan then made a second trip to Bombay and again seemed doom­ed to disappointment. But the lead role he got in “Tamanna” was a bright spot. That year three of his starring vehicles, “Bhai Jan,” “Zee­nat” and “Rattan,” became jubilee hits. His best assignments have been in “Chaman” (Punjabi), “Lahore”, “Dahez” and “Teen Batti Char Rasta” Among forthcoming films in which he stars are “Musafirkhana”, “Unchi Haveli”, “Jalwa”, “Laaj”, “Birhan”, “Char Deewaren” and “Jhoote Sapne” – Filmfare August 1955