Renowned actor Raza Murad paid a moving tribute to his late father, the distinguished character artist Murad, on his 115th birth anniversary. Sharing a rare nostalgic photograph on Instagram, the actor reflected on his childhood memories and his father's relentless sacrifices for the family. The vintage image shows a sharply dressed Murad smiling warmly into the camera while holding a very young Raza Murad in his lap.
An Emotional Tribute on 115th Birth Anniversary
Accompanying the picture, Raza Murad noted that September 24 marked the 115th birth anniversary of his father, who was born on September 24, 1911, and pointed out that the little child resting in his lap was none other than himself. Acknowledging his father's profound influence on his life, Raza stated that whatever he has achieved today is solely due to his father's tireless dedication and blessings.
He described how his father shouldered immense hardship as the sole earning member of the household, single-handedly providing for the entire family. Murad was a widely recognized screen personality across the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, and his son emphasized that his relatives along with millions of cinema admirers will continuously hold his memory in high regard.
From Hamid Ali Murad to Screen Prominence
While the veteran artist was universally recognized in the film industry simply as Murad, his birth name was Hamid Ali Murad. Over a remarkable career spanning four decades from the 1940s to the 1980s, he emerged as one of Indian cinema's most respected supporting actors. Because his professional journey began during the pre-independence era, he was frequently remembered as an artist of the British period. Over his artistic lifetime, he accumulated credits in more than 200 feature films.
A Career Defined by Authoritative Screen Roles
Across more than thirty years in Hindi cinema, Murad specialized in playing imposing and dignified figures. Audiences routinely saw him portray authoritative fathers, stern court judges, police officials, affluent zamindars, and royal figures. His filmography includes prominent classics such as Anmol Ghadi in 1946, Andaz in 1949, Aan in 1952, Do Bigha Zamin in 1953, Devdas in 1955, Yahudi in 1958, Mughal-e-Azam in 1960, Taj Mahal in 1963, Yaadon Ki Baaraat in 1973, and Ganga Ki Saugand in 1978.
Iconic Roles and International Work
Among his most memorable performances was his portrayal of the ruthless landowner Thakur Harnam Singh in Bimal Roy's masterwork Do Bigha Zamin. He also played the protagonist's father in Devdas, and brought gravity to the role of Raja Man Singh in K. Asif's historical epic Mughal-e-Azam. His work extended beyond domestic borders into international cinema when he portrayed a maharaja in the 1962 Hollywood feature Tarzan Goes to India. The revered artist passed away in Mumbai in April 1997, leaving behind an indelible mark on cinematic history.
