K. N. Singh


Krishan Niranjan Singh, known as K. N. Singh in Indian cinema, was a prominent villain and character actor. He appeared in over 200 Hindi films over a long career stretching from 1936 to the late 1980s.

Career

Early years (1908–1936)

The son of Chandi Prasad Singh, an erstwhile Indian prince and a prominent criminal lawyer, K.N. Singh was a sportsman who once dreamt of being in the army. Born in Dehradun, Singh was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a lawyer. However, his father's skillful defence, which saved an obviously guilty man from the gallows, turned him away from the profession.
Turning his energy to sports, K.N. Singh came to excel in the javelin throw and the shot put. He was selected to represent India in the 1936 Berlin Olympics before circumstances compelled him to go to Calcutta to attend on his ailing sister. There he met his family friend Prithviraj Kapoor, who introduced him to director Debaki Bose, who offered him a debut role in his film Sunehra Sansar.

Popular villain (1936 to late 1960s)

K.N. Singh enjoyed limited success until the release of Baghban, in which he played the antagonist. Baghban was a golden jubilee hit, establishing Singh as one of the leading villains of the era.
Through the 1940s and 1950s, Singh appeared in several iconic movies of the era, including Sikandar, Jwar Bhata, Humayun, Awara, Jaal, CID, Howrah Bridge, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Amrapali and An Evening in Paris.
As opposed to playing angry mobsters, he mostly played a white collared gentleman villain, dressed in a fine suit and smoking a pipe, with a calm cold delivery.
His suave style, baritone voice and menacing eyes became legendary – so much so that on one occasion "Even off-screen I was a bad man. One day on my way back from shooting, I had to deliver an envelope at an address given to me by my friend. I pressed the doorbell and, from the moving curtains, I could see a woman hurrying to open the door. When she saw me standing in front of her, she screamed out in fright and ran inside leaving the door open."
As an actor, Singh's thirst for learning was legendary. For example, he studied the style and mannerisms of carriage riders to prepare for the role of a horse carriage driver in Inspector.

Later years (1970 to late 1980s)

Singh played prominent roles in movies such as Jhoota Kahin Ka, Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film) and Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972 film). His last prominent role was in the 1973 film Loafer (1973 film).
With advancing years, Singh became less active, particularly from the mid 1970s onwards. Many of his roles from the late 1970s onwards were mere cameo appearances, arranged with the sole purpose of ensuring that actors turned up on time – such was his stature that actors would never turn up late when K.N. Singh was on the set. His last but one appearance was in Woh Din Aayega.He also acted in "Ajooba" which was his last film.

Personal life

Singh was the eldest among 6 siblings: a sister and five brothers.He adopted Pushkar, the son of his brother Bikram as their son.
Singh became completely blind in his last years and had a fall in his home after which he was almost bedridden. He died in Mumbai on 31 January 2000 aged 91 and was survived by his adopted son Pushkar, who is a producer of television serials.

Selected filmography

Sonar Sansar Sunehra Sansar Karodpati Mukti as Guest at party of Chitra's fatherBidyapati Sitara Nirala Hindustan Baghban as RanjitThokar as DoctorAap Ki Marzi Sikandar as Raja Ambhi Phir Milenge Ek Raat Shahenshah Akbar Prithvi Vallabh as BhillamPrarthana as DoctorTaqdeer Maharathi Karna as DuryodhanJwar Bhata Draupadi Ratnavali Mazdoor Laila Majnu Humayun as Jai SinghRoom No. 9 Rangbhoomi Zanjeer Parwana as KishanChalte Chalte Barsaat as BholuSingaar as Kishan's FatherParas Nirdosh Banwra Sazaa as Major Dhurjan SinghAwara as JaggaSanam as Advocate-Sadhna's FatherSaagar Hulchul as Asha's brotherBaazi as Rajani's FatherParbat as Parbat's obsessive loverJaal as CarloInsaan Ghungroo Do Raha Aandhiyan as Kuber DasArmaan Shahenshah Shikast as MadhoBaaz as General BarborosaSangham Ehsan Badshah Angarey as DozilaMarine Drive as KhannaMilap as Seth KaramchandHouse No. 44 as CaptainC.I.D. as Superintendent of PoliceZindagi Ke Mele Funtoosh as Karodi LalBeti Inspector as Badri PrasadUstad Mera Salaam Hill Station Bade Sarkar as Thakur Maan SinghChandan Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as Raja Hardayal SinghTaxi Stand Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala Howrah Bridge as PyarelalDetective as GonsalvesChaubees Ghante Chaalbaaz Keechak Vadha Kali Topi Lal Rumal Forty Days as BholanathBank Manager as RanjeetNache Nagin Baje Been Singapore as Shivdas Road No. 303 Mehlon Ke Khwab as Motilal / CID Police InspectorManzil as Mr. MehtaGambler Chhabili Barsaat Ki Raat as Police Commissioner Khan BahadurMiss Chalbaaz Senapati Sapne Suhane as BaldevSalaam Memsaab Reshmi Rumal as Rai SahebPassport as Shamsher Singh / ShyamlalOpera House as DanialKrorepati as Diwan Hukumat RaiDark Street Hong Kong Isi Ka Naam Duniya Hai as VarmaVallah Kya Baat Hai as Firoz SinghSoorat Aur Seerat Raaz Ki Baat as Police Commissioner SinghNaqli Nawab as Nawab Sharafat AliShikari as Dr. CyclopsLado Rani Punjabi Movie Woh Kaun Thi? as Dr. SinghDulha Dulhan as Thakur Dharam SinghRustom-E-Hind Raaka as VishalFaraar as Public ProsecutorEk Saal Pehle Bombay Race Course Mera Saaya as Prosecuting LawyerStreet Singer Amrapali as Badbadhra SinghTeesri Manzil Raat Aur Din as Varuna's FatherJohar in Bombay An Evening in Paris as JackDil Aur Mohabbat as SinghTeri Talash Mein Spy in Rome as Dr. ChangMere Huzoor as HakimEk Phool Ek Bhool as Dr. Rakesh's FatherSapna Simla Road Shart as SinghNateeja as BossJigri Dost as Chairman NeelkanthThe Revenger Tarzan 303 Suhana Safar as Dr. SinghMangu Dada Dagabaaz Pagla Kahin Ka as MaxHimmat as Inspector MathurEhsan as Dinanath / Vishwanath PrasadMeeting as MahendranathHaathi Mere Saathi as Sarwan KumarPyar Ki Kahani as Ram's bossJaane-Anjaane as PoonamchandReshma and Shera as ChowdharyHum Tum Aur Woh as Advocate Dushmun as Public Prosecutor SaxenaBansi Birju Mere Jeevan Saathi as Gobindram Do Chor as Tribhuvan SinghDo Bachche Dus Haath as GirdhariLoafer as Mr. Singh 'Uncle'Kachhe Dhaage as Sona's fatherSabak as AjitKeemat as Chief of Secret ServicesHanste Zakhm as Chanda's patronDaaman Aur Aag as Mr. SinghSagina as Factory OwnerMajboor as Prosecuting AttorneyVachan Jeevan Rekha Hamrahi as Boss V.K.Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi as Khadak SinghRomeo in Sikkim Dimple Rafoo Chakkar as #3 DuoQaid as Dr. TrivediKala Sona as Police CommissionerPrem Kahani as Rai Bahadur Shrikant SinhaMeera Shyam Harfan Maulaa as Police InspectorAdalat as SinghMamta Jadu Tona Saheb Bahadur as Police Supdt. PasupathiMera Vachan Geeta Ki Kasam as Khan BahadurAgent Vinod as Chief of Agent VinodGuru Ho Jaa Shuru as CBI Chief Zulm Ki Pukar Do Premee as Shivlal / MahayogiDostana as JudgeFarz Aur Pyar as Senior Air Force OfficerShradhanjali as Amit's DiwanjiKaalia as ConvictProfessor Pyarelal Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon as Nataraj SethBekhabar Sardaar as Advocate MathurThe Gold Medal as SinghWoh Din Aayega as Police Commissioner hukumatHukumat as DBDN's FriendSoorma Bhopali Laat Saab as K.N. SinghLaila
  • ''Daanveer''