Mulraj Rajda (13 November 1931 – 23 September 2012) was an Indian writer, actor and director who predominantly worked in Hindi and Gujarati films, television shows and theatre. He is regarded as one of the most finest artist in the Gujarati cinema. He has appeared in over 50 films, television serials in Gujarati cinema and in Hindi Cinema as an actor, writer, and director, in a career that has spanned over five decades.

Mulraj Rajda
Born13 November 1931 (1931-11-13)
Died23 September 2012(2012-09-23) (aged 80)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Director
  • Writer
Years active1959–2009
Known for
Spouse
Indumati Rajda
(m. 1956)
Children3 (including Sameer Rajda)
RelativesSee Rajda family

After directing many Gujarati theatre plays and television serials,he directed a Gujarati film in (1979) Koinu Mindhal Koina Hathe which was quite successful. The film featured Vikram Gokhale and Rajni Bala.

He is known for writing Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973), Mitti Aur Sona (1989), Jai Shakumbhari Maa (2000), Jai Shri Swaminarayan (2002). The first one helped him to earn him a nomination in Best Story in the prestigious Filmfare Awards in 1974.

Apart from writing and directing, he was quite active as an actor in films, theatre and television serials some of his works are Jesal Toral (1971), Nagin Aur Suhagin (1979), Aman Laxmi (1980), Ramayan (1987), Mahabharat (1989), Vishwamitra (1989), Dil Hi Toh Hai (1992), Byomkesh Bakshi (1993), Krantiveer (1994), Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1997), Mrityudaata (1997), Boond (2001) and Rit Rivaj (2009).

Early life edit

Mulraj was born on 13 November 1931 in a Gujarati family living in Kalbadevi, Mumbai. After the graduation, Mulraj started working in the Cable Corporation of India and Dena Bank for 2 years.

He started his career in the entertainment field in 1959 when he wrote and acted in a Gujarati play.

Personal life edit

Mulraj Rajda married actress Indumati on 2 March 1956 and the couple are blessed with 3 children. Indumati has acted in many JD Majethia shows like Khichdi (2002 TV series) (2002), Instant Khichdi (2004) and in Sarabhai VS Sarabhai (2004). She also starred in Indra Kumar directed Mann (film) (1999). This is the one and only Hindi film she has been part of, though she has a huge body of work in Gujarati films. One of their children is also an actor named Sameer Rajda who has worked with his father in Vikram Aur Betaal, Ramayan, Mahabharat etc.

Career edit

Start in Gujarati industry edit

Mulraj Rajda spent much of his career working in Gujarati cinema and Theater. After being active in Gujarati theatre for more than 15 years, he joined Gujarati film industry as a writer and actor. Over the years he has continued to write, act and direct Gujarati TV shows, plays and films. Some of his Gujarati TV serials are – Naari Tu Na Haari, Chal Mhare Sathe, O Zindagi, Surajmukhi, etc.

Acting in television serials edit

He is most well known for portraying Janak in Ramanand Sagar's television series Ramayan. Before this, he played various roles in Sagar's other works, including Vikram aur Betaal. He also has portrayed Vashishtha in the television series Vishwamitra. He is the father of fellow actor and Ramayan co-star Sameer Rajda.[1] He also played the role of Kailash Chandra[2] in the episode Bhoot for Byomkesh Bakshi (TV series), broadcast iy Doordarshan in 1993. He also acted as King Shantanu's royal guru as well as a gandharva mukhiya in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat.

Writer in Hindi industry edit

He wrote the story of Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar[3] in 1973 for which he was nominated in the prestigious Filmfare Awards in the category of Best Story Writing in 1974. Then in 1989, Pheka Pheki a Marathi Language film was made which was the remake of Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973). Then again in 2008, Rohit Shetty made Golmaal Returns which was the remake of Pheka Pheki (1989).[4][5]

He wrote the screenplay of Mitti Aur Sona in (1989) with Debu Sen, directed by Shiv Kumar starring Chunky Pandey, Neelam Kothari, Sonam (actress) , Aruna Irani, Gulshan Grover and Vinod Mehra.

Directing films and television serials edit

Before entering into directing films and television shows, he has directed many plays in Gujarati theatre. Mulraj first directed Koinu Mindhal Koina Hathe (1979)[6][7] a Gujarati film starring Vikram Gokhale, Rajni Bala, Arvind Rathod and Snehlata, produced by Sunil Bohra. In 2002, he wrote and directed the TV series Jai Shri Swaminarayan (2002) produced by Devang Patel.

Partial filmography edit

Films edit

Year Film Language
1971 Jesal Toral Gujarati
1972 Narad Leela Hindi
1979 Nagin Aur Suhagin
1980 Aman Laxmi
Bhathiji Maharaj Gujarati
1984 Prem Pagna Hindi
Bahu Ho Toh Aisi
1991 Pratigyabadh
1992 Dil Hi To Hai (1992 film)
1994 Krantiveer
Karan (1994 film)
1995 Shradha Ne Sathaware Gujarati
1996 Yash Hindi
1997 Jai Mahalaxmi Maa
Lahoo Ke Do Rang
Mrityudaata
Sanam (1997 film)
2001 Boond

As writer edit

Year Film Notes
1973 Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar Story
1989 Mitti Aur Sona Screenplay along with Debu Sen
1989 Pheka Pheki Original Story
2000 Jai Shakumbhari Maa Devotional Movie
2002 Jai Shri Swaminarayan Television Serial
2008 Golmaal Returns Original Story
2009 Rit Rivaj Dialogues

As director edit

Year Film Notes
1979 Koinu Mindhal Koina Hathe Gujarati Language Film
2002 Jai Shri Swaminarayan

Television edit

Year Serial Role Channel
1985 Vikram Aur Betaal DD National
1985 Rajni
1986 Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan
1987 Ramayan Janak DD National
1988-1989 Mahabharat King Shantanu's Royal Guru / Gandharva Mukhiya DD National
1989 Vishwamitra Vashishtha DD National
1993 Byomkesh Bakshi (Episode 8: Bhoot) Kailash Chandra DD National
Kanoon (Episode: Bekasoor) Girdharilal Khanna DD Metro
1995 Swabhimaan DD National
1997 Alif Laila Hakim Douban DD National
2003 Vishnu Puran Zee TV
2009 Rit Rivaj

Nominations edit

Year Award Show Award Show Result
1974 Filmfare Awards Best Story Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar Nominated

Death edit

Mulraj Rajda died due to age related complications on 23 September 2012 at the age of 80 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.[8] From 2009, Rajda was on a break and preferred to stay home with his family in his last years. In his last years, he was writing for a few films.

See also edit

Further reading edit

  • Maitri, Manthan (2012). Mulraj Rajda at Wordpress. Maitri Manthan.

References edit

External links edit