indian cinema heritage foundation

V H Desai

Artists
  • Died: 25 January, 1949 (Baroda)
  • Primary Cinema: Hindi
  • First film: Bhabi (1938)
  • Last film: Andaz (1949)
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Actor V H Desai was a well-known comedian in Hindi films. Such was his comedic prowess that he was dubbed ‘God’s Clown’ by Saadat Hasan Manto. Graduating from Baroda College in 1925, Desai went on to become an actor. Starting off his film career as a comedian with Sagar Movietone, he got his big break in the film Bhabhi (1938), when he joined Bombay Talkies. He became popular as the nervous father of the heroine Renuka Devi in the social family drama, directed by Franz Osten. He acted in supporting roles in films such as Navjeevan (1939), Kangan (1939), Bandhan (1940), Naya Sansar (1941), Jhoola (1941), Anjaan (1941), Kismet (1943), Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Begum (1945), Leela (1946), Shehnai (1947), Leela (1947), Khidki (1948), Shaheed (1948), Roshni (1949), and Andaz (1949). He was infamous for not being able to remember his lines properly, often turning them into funnier versions of what was originally written. V H Desai passed away on 25 January, 1949 in Baroda while on a holiday.