Amazing are the games of destiny. One such story is that of Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, fondly remembered as ‘Bhagwan Dada’ — the actor-dancer whose energetic steps once set cinema halls ablaze, and whose style would later inspire even Amitabh Bachchan. On his death anniversary, we revisit his strange and heartbreaking journey from rags to riches and back to rags.
Born in a dingy chawl in Parel, Mumbai, Bhagwan’s passion for dance first shone during local Ganpati festival programs. His infectious energy and unique style won him instant applause. Soon, he was dancing on the streets, where large crowds gathered to watch and shower him with coins of appreciation. This raw talent opened the doors of Bollywood for him.
In the early 1950s, Bhagwan took the bold step of producing ‘Albela’ (1951), with himself in the lead. The film turned out to be a goldmine at the box office. C. Ramchandra’s evergreen music was its beating heart, with songs like ‘Shola Jo Bhadke’, ‘Shaam Dhale Khidki Tale’, and ‘O Babuji O Betaji’ becoming instant sensations. The tunes were so catchy that audiences danced, whistled, and clapped inside cinema halls. On screen, Bhagwan’s animated, unpolished yet electrifying dance style sent crowds into a frenzy — people would leap from their seats, rush to the front, and dance with abandon below the screen.
‘Albela’ made Bhagwan a star overnight. He shifted from his chawl to a grand bungalow, drove around in a fleet of cars, and lived the life of a king. But his reign was short-lived. The films he produced after ‘Albela’ flopped one after another, plunging him into crippling debt. Desperate to survive, he began accepting whatever small roles came his way. One by one, he sold off his cars, his jewelry, and finally even his bungalow — until fate pushed him back to the very chawl in Parel where he had begun.
Bhagwan Dada’s life echoed the words of his own song from ‘Albela’, “O betaji, O babuji, Kismat ki hawa kabhi garam, kabhi naram…”
A cruel reminder that the winds of fortune can change direction at any moment.
