Kidar Sharma was multi-talented, multi-faceted Hindi film personality. He wore multiple hats through his career and was, at various points, a director, writer, producer and lyricist.
Kidar Sharma was born in Narowal, Punjab. Despite coming from a humble family, he always harbored ambitions to make it big in the film industry. After many failed starts, he finally got a job in Debaki Bose's New Theatres in Calcutta. Kidar's big break came when he asked to write the screenplay, dialogue and lyrics for the film Devdas (1935), perhaps the most iconic interpretation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel. Kidar had a dream start to his film career with the film becaming a big hit and its songs, specially those rendered by the lead actor-singer K.L. Saigal, becoming extremely popular.
By the end of the decade, Kidar developed differences with Debaki Bose and joined Rajit Movietone, which was located in the Bombay, which was overtaking Calcutta as the film industry capital.
Kidar realized his ambition for film-making with his directorial debut "Chitralekha" (1941). Not satisfied with just film-making, he turned producer and launched Rak Kapoor and Madhubala in their debut film "Neel Kamal" (1947). In fact, his ability to launch successful artists became a cornerstone in his career. Other than Raj Kapoor and Madhubala, the other artists he launched in his films were actress Geeta Bali ("Suhag Raat", 1948) and music directors Roshan ("Neki Aur Badi", 1949) and Snehal Bhatkar ("Suhag Raat", 1948).
In 1955, Pandit Jawarlal Nehru asked him to help the fledgling Children's Film Society. Kidar Sharma directed CFS' first film "Jaldeep" (1956) and went on to direct many others.
Kidar Sharma retired from mainstream Hindi films after "Fariyad" (1964) but continued to direct and write lyrics for films and documentaries for Doordarshan, including "Aise Bhi Log Hote Hain" and "Hum Honge Kaamyaab". The latter film became particularly well know for its title song, an interpretation of "We Shall Overcome", which became popular as an anthem in schools across India.
“Main Kya Janoon” (“Zindagi”, 1940), “Khayalon Mein Kisi Ke” (“Bawre Nain”, 1950), “Bahut Aasaan Hai” (“Rangeen Raatein”, 1956) and “Sochta Hoon Yeh Kya Kiya Maine” and “Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein” (“Hamari Yaad Aayegi”, 1962) are some of Kidar Sharma's most popular songs.
Towards the end of his life, Kidar Sharma became bitter about the lack of recognition he received for his contributions to Hindi films. He died a disillusioned man in 1999, as reflected in the title of his posthumously published autobiography "The One And Lonely Kidar Sharma".
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