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One of the highest-paid stars, this actor started living in chawl and had to sell his luxurious mansion and cars for survival. Here's why! Published: April 23, 2025 11:50 AM IST By This late actor was the first to introduce the concept of body doubles in the industry. He became one of the highest-paid actors during his heyday, but unfortunately had to spend his life living in a chawl.
One of the legends in Hindi cinema, he was none other than Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, fondly known as Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, Bhagwan Dada’s father worked as a textile mill worker. He wasn’t keen to study, so he dropped out of school after the 4th grade. Then, he became a textile mill worker like his father.
Bhagwan Dada loved watching films and wanted to be an actor. He got his first break in the industry with the film with the support of his friend Baburao Pehelwan. He also worked on his skills as a filmmaker alongside acting, and co-directed his first film in 1938.
Following that, he started his own production house Jagriti Pictures and made low-budget movies under his banner. Films like are considered some of his most successful projects. During that time, legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor became a mentor figure to Bhagwan Dada.
He suggested him to move beyond his comfort zone, leading to the making of the film It marked a departure from his earlier, more action-oriented work. Albela is reportedly one of the most popular musicals of that era and the third highest-grossing movie of 1951. Bhagwan Dada’s few films failed to thrive at the box office and he had to sell his sprawling mansion and luxurious cars for survival.
He began living in a two-room chawl at Dadar. According to reports, no actor supported him during his struggling days, except Dilip Kumar. Bhagwan Dada passed away all alone at his residence on February 4, 2002 due to heart attack.
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