Balraj Sahni is amongst the legends of bollywood. Movies like Do Beegha Zameen and Garm Hawa are the highlights of his career. Sahni was also a renowned writer.
Debut Film: Insaaf (1946)
Famous Movies: Insaaf, Dharti Ke Lal, Door Chaleinin, Do Bigha Zameen, Kabuliwala, Sone Ki Chidiya, Ghar Sansaar, Waqt, Garm Hava, Ek Phool Do Mali, Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (punjabi)
Famous Books: Mera Pakistani Safar, Mera Rusi Safarnama, Meri Filmi Aatmakatha (autobiography), Preetlari (Punjabi magazine).
Balraj Sahni is considered as one of greats in hindi film industry. Belonging to a Punjabi family, Sahni completed his education and married Damayanti. Afterwards, both of them went to join Rabindra Nath Tagore. He also worked wth Mahatma Gandhi for a brief period. He started his acting career with the plays of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). Balraj Sahni entered bollywood with the movie Insaaf and went on to be at the pinnacle of hindi cinema. He believed in what is known as 'Neo-Realistic' cinema. He played lead roles in some legendary movies like Do Beegha Zameen, Waqt, Dharti Ke Lal etc. Garm Haa was his last movie and he died the very next day he completed dubbing for this movie. He also starred in the classic Punjabi film Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970) as well as the critically acclaimed Satluj de kande.
Balraj Sahni was an eminent writer also. His works in Punjabi literature are considered to be the epics in the field. He initially wrote in English also. Mera Pakistani Safar, Mera Rusi Safarnama and Meri Filmi Aatmakatha (autobiography) are some of his legendary works. Sahni also dabbled in screenwriting. He wrote the 1951 movie Baazi which starred Dev Anand and was directed by Guru Dutt