Jankidas

Jankidas
Jankidas
	An AI-upscaled image of Jankidas in a promotional poster of Hanste Aansoo (1950)
Born	Jankidas Mehra; 1910; Lahore, British India
Died	18 June 2003 (aged 92–93); Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Years active	1930s–1998
Children	Shanoo Mehra

Jankidas Mehra (1910 – 18 June 2003) was an Indian actor of Hindi cinema, cyclist, production designer, and writer. He made over 1000 film appearances between the 1930s and 1997.^[1]

Biography

Sports

Although various press articles in India mention Jankidas as being a member of the International Olympic Committee at the 1936 Olympic Games and being the only Indian to have broken the world record in cycling between 1934 and 1942.^[2], the India at the 1936 Summer Olympics page does not mention him. Nor do any IOC or Cycling records mention his name.

In the 1940s, along with Sohrab Bhoot, he founded the Cycling Federation of India.

text — Cycling Federation of India founders J. Das (left) and Sohrab Bhoot (right)

Films

Jankidas debuted in films playing a major role in Khazanchi (1941), produced in Lahore. He was not seen again until 1946, when he would appear in Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani. From then on he would continue to play roles with increasing vigour over the years.^[1]

As a production designer, Jankidas was responsible for the founding of many famous Indian actor's careers. He was responsible for Madhubala's role in Sohrab Modi's Daulat in 1947, and introduced Meena Kumari in Nanabhai Bhatt's Hamara Ghar, and Khushbu in Sunil Dutt's Dard Ka Rishta.^[2] He also introduced actress Mala Sinha in Hamlet, produced and directed by Kishore Sahu.

In 1985, he wrote the script for the film Yaadon Ki Kasam.

Jankidas was the recipient of numerous national and international awards. In May 1996, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association.^[2]

Jankidas was also an author and wrote numerous books on Bollywood and the acting profession. He published My Misadventures in Filmland and Acting for Beginners.^[1]

Selected filmography

Year	Film	Character/Role
1941	Khazanchi	News reporter
1946	Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani	Dr. Mukherjee
1948	Rambaan
1949	Aiye
1949	Daulat
1950	Babul	Ashok's father
1950	Hanste Ansoo	Kumar's father
1958	Kala Pani	Daulat Chand
1960	Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere	Teacher
1965	Arzoo	Ramesh's servant
1965	Adhi Raat Ke Baad
1966	Daadi Maa	Pandit Gyandutt
1967	Patthar Ke Sanam	Mr. Poojari
	Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan	Shopkeeper
	Parivar	Paan seller
1968	Sadhu Aur Shaitaan	Seth Jankidas
1969	Sajan (1969 film)	Tarakilal, Stage Show Organizer
1970	Pushpanjali	Tourist guide
1970	Khilona (1970 film)	Advocate Jankidas
1971	Chingari	Pandit
1971	Naya Zamana	Sitaram
1972	Seeta Aur Geeta	Secretary
1972	Yeh Gulistan Hamara	Haku
1974	Patthar Aur Payal	Jankidas,Casino Manager
1975	Khel Khel Mein	Seth Ghanshyam Das,Jewellery Store Owner
1976	Sankoch	Vidyavathi Father
1977	Saheb Bahadur	Astrolger
1977	Kasam Khoon Ki	Seth Dwarkadas
1978	Tumhari Kasam	Tikam Seth
	Bhola Bhala
	Des Pardes	Daiyal
	Azaad (1978 film)	Diwanji
1979	Sargam	Landlord
	Khandaan	Kedarnath
	Prem Bandhan	Rodrigues
1980	Khanjar
	The Burning Train	Ticket Collector in Express Train
	Kali Ghata
1982	Taaqat
1983	Humse Na Jeeta Koi	Lala
	Paanchwin Manzil	Gyanchand
	Nishaan	Pandit
	Naukar Biwi Ka	Director Personnel Assistant
1984	Sharaabi	Rustomjee Bandookwala
	Phulwari	Antique Shop Owner
	Laila	Pandit
1985	Karishma Kudrat Kaa	Seth Jankidas, Jeweller
1986	Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Dulha	Pandit
1987	Goraa	Seth Tarachand
	Insaniyat Ke Dushman	Manager
	Hukumat	Ticket Collector at Railway station
	Sitapur Ki Geeta	Bread Man
	Mera Yaar Mera Dushman	Club Manager
	Sadak Chhap	Seth Jankidas
1988	Shoorveer	House Servant
	Kanwarlal	Trivedi
	Maalamaal	Antique Shop Owner
	Bees Saal Baad	Estate Agent/Broker Jankidas
1991	Farishtay	Foreign Terrorist (Cameo/Guest) Role
	Iraada	Janki
	Dushman Devta	Pandit
1993	Dhanwaan	Pensioner club Member
1998	Ghar Bazar	Gupta

Death

Jankidas had a heart ailment for a substantial period of time, but was discharged from the local hospital two days before his death.^[2] He died of cardiac failure at his Juhu residence on Wednesday 18 June 2003. He was 93.