David Abraham Cheulkar - Biography

David Abraham Cheulkar (1909–1981), popularly known as David, was a Jewish-Indian, Hindi film actor, who started his film career with 1941 film Naya Sansar and went on to act in over 110 films.

He was actively associated with IPTA and hence was part of many Khwaja Ahmad Abbas's films, including, Pardesi, Shehar Aur Sapna, Munaa and Char Dil Char Raahein. He was a member of Bombay's Bene Israel community.

Strongly associated with friendly uncle roles, David is best known for his portrayal of John Chacha in the 1954 hit Boot Polish, directed by Prakash Arora for which he won the 1955 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. The song "Nanhe Munne Bachche" from the film, picturized with him became a memorable song of that era. He never married and died on 28 December 1981 in Toronto, Canada.

Selected filmography

• Gehri Chot: Urf - Door-Desh (1983) - Released after his death.
• Sumbandh (1982) - Released after his death.
• Khatta Meetha (1981)
• Khubsoorat (1980)
• Gol Maal (1979)
• Baton Baton Mein (1979)
• Hamare Tumhare (1979)
• Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) -- Bade Babu
• Khatta Meetha (1978)
• Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977)
• Chupke Chupke (1975)
• Abhimaan (1973)
• Anuraag (1972)
• Haathi Mere Saathi (1971)
• Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (1969)
• Satyakam (1969)
• Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968)
• Upkar (1967)
• Anupama (1966)
• Mamta (1966)
• Himalay Ki Godh Mein (1965)
• Ek Phool Char Kaante (1960)
• Amar Deep (1958)
• Pardesi (1957)
• Bhai Bhai (1956)
• Boot Polish (1954)
• Insaaf (1946)
• Nargis (1946)
• Ghulami (1945)
• Insaan (1944)
• Tasveer (1943)
• Anjaan (1941)
• Naya Sansar (1941)

In his prime, in the period 1959-1975, David was one of the best and the well-known anchor and the host of the prominent award shows and other functions. In one of the speeches Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister, told any of the event will be surely be incomplete without David's speech. He was awarded Padma Shri award in 1969.

External links