Portrait of K.L. Saigal

K.L. Saigal

Acting

Biography

Kundanlal Saigal, often abbreviated as K. L. Saigal, was an Indian singer and actor who is considered the first superstar of the Hindi film industry, which was centred in Kolkata during Saigal's time, but is currently centred in Mumbai. Saigal's unique voice quality which was a mixture of baritone and soft tenor was the benchmark for most of the singers who followed him. In fact it remains the gold standard even today shining through a very early and practically primitive recording technology.

Born: April 11, 1904

Place of Birth: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India

Filmography

1946
Omar Khayyam

as Omar Khayyam

1946
Shahjehan

as Sohail

1945
Kurukshetra

as Karna

1945
Tadbir

as Kanhaiyalal

1944
Bhanwara

as Pancham

1944
My Sister

as Ramesh

1943
Tansen

as Tansen

1942
Bhakta Surdas

as Bhakta Surdas

1941
Lagan

as Harish

1940
Zindagi

as Ratan

1938
Jiban Maran

as Mohan

1937
President

as Prakash

1936
Devdas

as Devdas

1935
Devdas

as Cameo (guest at Chandramukhi's house)

1934
Chandidas

as Chandidas

1934
Daku Mansoor

as Mansoor

1934
Roop Lekha

as Arup in the Hindi version

1933
Yahudi Ki Ladki

as Prince Marcus