>Rodw at 14:11, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T14:11:18Z

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{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chand Usmani
| image = Chand Usmani in Jeevan Jyoti.jpg
| caption = Chand Usmani in the film ''[[Jeewan Jyoti (1953 film)|Jeewan Jyoti]]'' (1953)
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|01|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Agra]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Provinces]], [[British India]]<br />(now in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{death date and age|1989|11|26|1933|01|03|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Mahim]], [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| occupation = [[Actress]]
| years active = 1953–1987
| awards = [[Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award]] for ''[[Pehchan (1970 film)|Pehchaan]]'' (1971)
}}

''' Chand Usmani''' (3 January 1933 – 26 November 1989) was an Indian actress in Hindi films from the 1950s to the late 1980s. She won the 1971 [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]]. She is best remembered for playing self-sacrificing wives and mothers.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Biddle |editor1-first=Arthur W. |editor2-last=Bien |editor2-first=Gloria |editor3-last=Dharwadker |editor3-first=Vinay |title=Contemporary Literature of Asia (Blair Press titles in contemporary world literature) |date=1996 |publisher=Prentice Hall |isbn=9780133732597 |page=58 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D_-EAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Chand+Usmani%22 |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

==Biography==
Chandbibi Khanam Usmani was born on 3 January 1933 in [[Agra]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], into a [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] family.<ref name="Tabassum"/> She married Mukul Dutt (director of ''[[Aan Milo Sajna]]''),<ref name="Tabassum"/> with whom she had a son, Roshan. She ran a halfway house at her home in [[Mahim]] for runaway girls who had come to Mumbai seeking a career in films.<ref name="Merchant">{{cite book |last1=Merchant |first1=Hoshang |title=Forbidden Sex, Forbidden Texts: New India's Gay Poets |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780415484510 |page=53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dTgrAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Chand+Usmani%22 |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> She died in Mumbai on 26 November 1989.<ref name="Mass">{{cite book |last1=India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Research and Reference Division |title=Mass Media in India 1991 |date=1991 |publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M9KqQ6aWiisC&q=%22Chand+Usmani%22 |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

==Career==
Chand Usmani came to notice by participating in a talent contest called 'Kardar-Kolynos-Teresa Contest' in 1949, winning second place.<ref name="Heritage">{{cite web |last1=Film Heritage Foundation, India |title=Character Artists of Indian Cinema - Chand Usmani |url=https://www.facebook.com/filmheritagefoundation/posts/the-effervescent-chand-usmani-with-her-heart-warming-smile-entered-films-winning/1787975804822682/}}</ref> In 1953, she debuted as the heroine in ''[[Jeewan Jyoti (1953 film)|Jeewan Jyoti]]'' opposite [[Shammi Kapoor]] (his debut too).<ref name="Tabassum"/> She also starred in ''Barati'', ''[[Baap Re Baap]]'' and ''Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan'', and had major roles in several other films, including ''Rangeen Raten'', ''[[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]]'', ''[[Prem Patra]]'' and ''[[Pehchan (1970 film)|Pehchan]]''. <br>
She received much critical acclaim: a review of ''Rangeen Raten'' (1956) said that she "gives a brilliant performance; hers is also the best developed character, and as a result she becomes the life and soul of the film."<ref name="Swatantra">{{cite journal |title=Review of Rangeen Raten |journal=Swatantra |date=1956 |volume=11 |page=38 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWcPAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Chand+Usmani%22 |accessdate=26 November 2018}}</ref> In ''Baap Re Baap'', a key scene is noted for "the joy exhibited by Usmani on screen".<ref name="Sharma">{{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Devesh |title=Happy Birthday Asha Bhosle! |journal=Filmfare |date=8 September 2016 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/happy-birthday-asha-bhosle-15482.html |accessdate=4 February 2019}}</ref> The Film Heritage Foundation of India describes her as the "effervescent Chand Usmani, with her heart-warming smile".<ref name="Heritage"/> She won a [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]] in 1971, for her portrayal of the character Champa, a prostitute, in the 1970 film ''[[Pehchan (1970 film)|Pehchan]]''.<ref name="TimesWho">{{cite book |title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who |date=1982 |page=310 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N6kQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Chand+Usmani%22 |access-date=27 January 2019}}</ref> Writing nearly 40 years later, ''The Hindu'''s film reviewer considered that "Chand Usmani does justice to Champa's role displaying restraint, poise and grace in a role which provided ample opportunity to easily go over the top."<ref name="Malhotra">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/pehchan-1970/article8337394.ece|title=Blast from the past Friday Review Pehchan (1970)|last1=Malhotra|first1=APS|date=10 March 2016|work=The Hindu|accessdate=31 January 2019}}</ref> Despite having a long career, she said in an interview with [[Tabassum (actress)|Tabassum]] that she regretted not having an agent/manager, which led to her not getting diverse roles and not having more success.<ref name="Tabassum">{{cite web |title=The Untold Story of Chand Usmani - Bollywood Stories: Tabassum Talkies |url=https://keepvid.app/videos?url=oXYFnE_fT_o}}</ref> In many of her roles, she played a self-sacrificing wife, mother, girlfriend or sister, as summed up by [[Mahasweta Devi]] in her 1986 short story 'The Wet-Nurse':<br>
:::::"Jashoda was a true example of Indian womanhood. She was typical of a chaste and loving wife and devoted mother, ideals which defy intelligence and rational explanation, which involve sacrifice and dedication stretching the limits of imagination, and which have been kept alive in the popular Indian psyche through the ages, beginning with Sati-Savitri-Sita right down to [[Nirupa Roy]] and Chand Usmani in our times."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Devi |first1=Mahasweta |editor1-last=Butalia |editor1-first=Urvashi |title=Inner Line: The Zubaan Book of Stories by Indian Women |date=1986 |publisher=Zubaan, 2006 |isbn=9788189013776 |page=33 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7nfNcEiSSMEC&q=%22chand+usmani%22+sacrificing&pg=PA33 |access-date=2 February 2019 |chapter=The Wet-Nurse}}</ref><ref name="Yarrow">{{cite book |last1=Yarrow |first1=Ralph |title=Indian Theatre: Theatre of Origin, Theatre of Freedom |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136778759 |page=44 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WF-6A65ACZQC&q=%22Mahasweta+Devi%22&pg=PA44 |access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Title
!Year
!Role
!Notes
|-
|''[[Jeewan Jyoti (1953 film)|Jeewan Jyoti]]''
|1953
|Kishori
|
|-
|''[[Barati (1954 film)|Barati]]''
|1954
|
|
|-
|''[[Baap Re Baap]]''
|1955
|Kokila
|
|-
|''[[Amanat (1955 film)|Amanat]]''
|1955
|Meena
|
|-
|''[[Rangeen Raten]]''
|1956
|Kamla
|
|-
|''[[Abhimaan (1957 film)|Abhimaan]]''
|1957
|Kiran
|
|-
|''[[Duniya Rang Rangeeli]]''
|1957
|Radha
|
|-
|''[[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]]''
|1957
|Manju
|
|-
|''[[Sanskar]]''
|1958
|
|
|-
|''[[Naya Paisa]]''
|1958
|
|
|-
|''[[Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan]]''
|1959
|Samyukta
|
|-
|''[[Do Behnen]]''
|1959
|Rekha
|
|-
|''[[Aangan (1959 film)|Aangan]]''
|1959
|
|
|-
|''[[Ramu Dada]]''
|1961
|
|
|-
|''[[Zamana Badal Gaya]]''
|1961
|
|
|-
|''[[Zindagi Aur Hum]]''
|1962
|
|
|-
|''[[Banke Sanwaria]]''
|1962
|
|
|-
|''[[Prem Patra]]''
|1962
|Sumitra
|
|-
|''[[Laakho Vanzaro]]''
|1963
|
|
|-
|''[[His Highness]]''
|1964
|
|
|-
|''[[Shehnai]]''
|1964
|
|
|-
|''[[Shagoon]]''
|1964
|Mrs. Rai
|
|-
|''[[Haqeeqat (1964 film)|Haqeeqat]]''
|1964
|Ram Singh's Girlfriend
|
|-
|''[[April Fool|Aprilfool]]''
|1964
|Mrs. Brijlal Sinha
|
|-
|''[[Kohra (1964 film)|Kohraa]]''
|1964
|
|
|-
|''[[Shehnai]]''
|1964
|Salma
|
|-
|''[[Azmat-e-Islam]]''
|1965
|
|
|-
|''[[Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1966 film)|Mohabbat Zindagi Hai]]''
|1966
|Lajjo
|
|-
|''[[Daadi Maa]]''
|1966
|
|
|-
|''[[Milan Ki Raat]]''
|1967
|Savitri Singh
|
|-
|''[[Ghar Ka Chirag]]''
|1967
|
|
|-
|''[[Anita (1967 film)|Anita]]''
|1967
|Bela
|
|-
|''[[Aman (film)|Aman]]''
|1967
|Hiroka
|
|-
|''[[Baazi (1968 film)|Baazi]]''
|1968
|Maya
|
|-
|''[[Jawab Ayega]]''
|1968
|
|
|-
|''[[Aanchal Ke Phool]]''
|1968
|Rani
|
|-
|''[[Mr. Murder]]''
|1969
|
|
|-
|''[[Jiyo Aur Jeene Do]]''
|1969
|
|
|-
|''[[Do Bhai (1969 film)|Do Bhai]]''
|1969
|Ranjana Singh / Ranjana Verma
|
|-
|''[[Balak]]''
|1969
|Rekha's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Khilona (1970 film)|Khilona]]''
|1970
|Laxmi Singh
|
|-
|''[[Pehchan (1970 film)|Pehchan]]''
|1970
|Champa
|
|-
|''[[Nanhi Kaliyan]]''
|1971
|
|
|-
|''[[Seema (1971 film)|Seema]]''
|1971
|
|
|-
|''[[Hulchul (1971 film)|Hulchul]]''
|1971
|Shekhar's Wife
|
|-
|''[[Raaste Kaa Patthar]]''
|1972
|Mrs. Choudhary
|
|-
|''[[Zindagi Zindagi]]''
|1972
|Leela
|
|-
|''[[Agni Rekha]]''
|1973
|Maya
|
|-
|''[[Dost (1974 film)|Dost]]''
|1974
|
|Guest Appearance
|-
|''[[Resham Ki Dori]]''
|1974
|Shanti
|Uncredited
|-
|''[[Ujala hi Ujala]]''
|1974
|Anuradha's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Faslah]]''
|1974
|Radha Chandra
|
|-
|''[[Khel Khel Mein]]''
|1975
|Mrs. Anand
|
|-
|''[[Raakhi Aur Rifle]]''
|1976
|
|
|-
|''[[Meera Shyam]]''
|1976
|
|
|-
|''[[Kadambari]]''
|1976
|Amit's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Jai Mahalaxmi Maa]]''
|1976
|
|
|-
|''Bhala Manus''
|1976
|Anand's Real Mother
|
|-
|''[[Bhagwan Samaye Sansar Mein]]''
|1976
|Eknath's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Parvarish (1977 film)|Parvarish]]''
|1977
|Radha Singh
|
|-
|''[[Darinda]]''
|1977
|
|
|-
|''[[Zamaanat]]''
|1977
|Parvati
|
|-
|''[[Videsh]]''
|1977
|Palanpur's Maharani
|
|-
|''[[Tinku]]''
|1977
|Mrs. Jwala Prasad
|
|-
|''[[Dharam Veer (film)|Dharam Veer]]''
|1977
|Mrs. Roopmati Singh
|
|-
|''[[Ab Kya Hoga]]''
|1977
|Rajesh's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Hatyara]]''
|1977
|Shanta D. Singh
|
|-
|''[[Parmatma]]''
|1978
|
|
|-
|''[[Nawab Sahib]]''
|1978
|Begum
|
|-
|''[[Apna Khoon]]''
|1978
|
|
|-
|''[[Pehredaar]]''
|1979
|
|
|-
|''[[Ahsaas]]''
|1979
|
|
|-
|''[[Lakhan (film)|Lakhan]]''
|1979
|Maharani
|
|-
|''[[Chambal Ki Raani]]''
|1979
|
|
|-
|''[[Jal Mahal]]''
|1980
|Shanti
|
|-
|''[[Phir Wohi Raat]]''
|1980
|Asha's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Lahu Pukarega]]''
|1980
|Sarla's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Oh Bewafa]]''
|1980
|Radha's Aunty
|
|-
|''[[Ganga Aur Suraj]]''
|1980
|
|
|-
|''[[Kasam Bhawani Ki]]''
|1981
|
|
|-
|''[[Saajan Ki Saheli]]''
|1981
|Chanda
|
|-
|''[[Mangalsutra]]''
|1981
|Satyavati Prasad
|
|-
|''[[Dahshat]]''
|1981
|Sameer's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Sannata]]''
|1981
|
|
|-
|''[[Yaarana (1981 film)|Yaarana]]''
|1981
|
|
|-
|''[[Khoon Ki Takkar]]''
|1981
|Shakuntala
|
|-
|''[[Prohari]]''
|1982
|
|
|-
|''[[Arth]]''
|1982
|School Administrator
|
|-
|''[[Khush Naseeb]]''
|1982
|Mrs. Geeta D. Sharma
|
|-
|''[[Daulat (1982 film)|Daulat]]''
|1982
|Mrs. Choudhary
|
|-
|''[[Pukar (1983 film)|Pukar]]''
|1983
|Saraswati
|
|-
|''[[Lal Chunariya]]''
|1983
|Ratnabai
|
|-
|''[[Bekaraar]]''
|1983
|Laxmi
|
|-
|''[[Senurwa Bhail Mohaal]]''
|1984
|
|
|-
|''[[Raja Aur Rana]]''
|1984
|Vijay & Shakti's mother
|
|-
|''[[Ganga Ke Paar]]''
|1985
|
|
|-
|''[[Dil Ek Musafir]]''
|1985
|
|
|-
|''[[Aandhi-Toofan]]''
|1985
|Mrs. Singh
|
|-
|''[[Ulta Seedha]]''
|1985
|Mrs. Roy
|
|-
|''[[Mehak]]''
|1985
|
|
|-
|''[[Awara Baap]]''
|1985
|
|
|-
|''[[Yaar Kasam]]''
|1985
|
|
|-
|''[[Vairi-Jatt]]''
|1985
|Reshma's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Patthar Dil]]''
|1985
|Devki
|
|-
|''[[Swarthi]]''
|1986
|
|
|-
|''[[Dilruba Tangewali]]''
|1987
|
|
|-
|''[[Anjaam]]''
|1987
|Malti
|
|-
|''[[Sitapur Ki Geeta]]''
|1987
|Mrs. Yashoda Singh
|
|-
|''[[Hamari Jung]]''
|1987
|
|
|-
|''[[Insaaf Ki Manzil]]''
|1988
|
|
|-
|''[[Zakhmi Aurat]]''
|1988
|Mrs. Prakash
|
|-
|''[[Mar Mitenge]]''
|1988
|Akbar's Grandmother
|
|-
|''[[Nishane Bazi]]''
|1989
|
|
|-
|''[[Elaan-E-Jung]]''
|1989
|Villager
|
|-
|''[[Naqab (1989 film)|Naqab]]''
|1989
|
|
|-
|''[[Indira (1989 film)|Indira]]''
|1989
|Mrs. Pratap Rai
|
|-
|''[[Aakhri Muqabla]]''
|1989
|Tripti's Mother
|
|-
|''[[Aag Aur Angaray]]''
|1990
|
|
|-
|''[[Lohe Ke Haath]]''
|1990
|
|Posthumously Released
|-
|''[[Amiri Garibi]]''
|1990
|Radha
|Posthumously Released
|-
|''[[Rajoo Dada]]''
|1992
|
|Posthumously Released
|-
|''[[Waqt Ka Badshah]]''
|1992
|Aunty
|Posthumously Released
|-
|''[[Yaar Meri Zindagi]]''
|2008
|
|Posthumously Released
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|0882398}}
*{{Bollywood Hungama person|chand-usmani}}

{{Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Usmani, Chand}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:People from Agra]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]

Chand Usmani - Revision history

>Rodw at 14:11, 1 June 2021