Paidi Jairaj: Unsung hero from Karimnagar

Karimnagar: The present generation people may not be aware of several film legends, who ruled the entertainment industry for decades. Paidi Jairaj was one among the few legendary heroes, who born in Sircilla of united Karimnagar district of Telangana. He was the unsung hero of Indian film industry, who inspired several generations with his versatile performances.

Jairaj, a nephew of Nightingale of India Sarojini Naidu, left his mark in Indian film industry for over five decades, when the Kapoors were ruling the movie industry. Passionate about movies, Jairaj migrated to Mumbai in 1928 and started his career as an actor during the silent movie era. After several struggles like playing side roles in many films, he was given an opportunity as a hero in a film called Rasseri Rani.

His magnificent physique and Greek looks, Jairaj impressed many film makers, who were ready to cast him in their films. Besides acting as a hero in several Hindi, Gujarat, Urdu and Marathi films, he also directed and produced films. He acted in about 300 movies and played several key roles. He was popularly known as ‘Papaji’ in Bollywood.

Jairaj’s golden era was from 1950 to 1960. Irrespective of roles he gave his best to all films in which he acted. Some of his famous movies acted are Hatim Tai, Prithviraj Chowhan, Bijli Mala, Tippu Sultan, Nayi Dunia, Chandrashekar Azad, Shajahan, Veera Durgas, Bhabi, Rana Pratap and Amar Singh Rathod. 

He also acted in three international films - Nine Hours to Rama, Pardesi and Maya. He also rendered his service for the betterment of the society. He was associated with the production of musical shows for the benefit of armed forces and charities to collect funds for national causes. He was honoured with most prestigious movie award Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1980 recognising his services made to the film industry.

Recalling those days, Jairaj’s son Dilipraj said that his father Paidi Jairaj used to have strong desire to work in Telugu films since his roots were from this region. But his dream remained unfulfilled, he added. A one-hour documentary about the legendary actor Paidi Jairaj was screened recently here in Film Bhavan in Karimnagar.

Speaking on the occasion, the producer of the documentary under Supada Creations Banner, Ponnam Ravichandra opined that along with organising Children’s film festival, the films of legendary actors hailing form the same region must be screened so that the present generation people and children will know about them and will remember them and their achievements.