Motilal’s legacy honored: National Awards and Indian stamp commemorate Bollywood icon

This report explores Motilal’s profound impact on Indian cinema, from pioneering bold roles praised by Mahatma Gandhi to influencing legends like Amitabh Bachchan. Despite dying penniless due to his lavish lifestyle, his posthumous honors, including two National Awards and a 2013 commemorative stamp, cement his enduring legacy.

Sources:
The Indian Express
Updated 1h ago
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Sources: The Indian Express
Motilal, a pioneering Bollywood actor celebrated for his daring roles and influence on stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah, was honored posthumously with two National Awards and a commemorative Indian stamp in 2013.

Despite his cinematic legacy, Motilal's personal life was marked by extravagance and financial hardship. Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, including a passion for gambling and flying, he died penniless after making poor investments and losing money on a passion project he produced.

Film historian Firoz Rangoonwala noted Motilal's choice of bold film plots, highlighting his role as an untouchable in the 1940 film "Achhut," which earned praise from Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel.

"Motilal was choosing bold plots too. He played an untouchable in Achhut (1940), a progressive film that won praise even from Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel," Rangoonwala said.

Motilal's legacy endures through these honors, reflecting his significant impact on Indian cinema despite his tragic financial downfall.

"The late actor Motilal, who influenced everyone from Amitabh Bachchan to Naseeruddin Shah, died penniless because of his lavish spending," a testament to his complex life.

"He was reportedly ‘penniless’ at the time, having made some bad investments and lost a lot of money on a passion project that he’d produced. He received two National Awards after his death. The government of India issued a stamp commemorating Motilal in 2013."
Sources: The Indian Express
Bollywood icon Motilal, known for bold roles and a flamboyant lifestyle, was posthumously honored with two National Awards and a commemorative Indian stamp in 2013, despite dying penniless due to lavish spending and failed investments.
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The Headline

Motilal honored posthumously with awards and stamp

Key Facts
  • Motilal was posthumously honored with two National Awards and an Indian government stamp issued in 2013 to commemorate his legacy.The Indian Express
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of National Awards received posthumously by Motilal
2 awards
Year Indian government issued stamp commemorating Motilal
2013 year
Background Context

Motilal’s bold roles, influence, and flamboyant life

Motilal was choosing bold plots too. He played an untouchable in Achhut (1940), a progressive film that won praise even from Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel.
Film historian Firoz Rangoonwala
The Indian Express
Key Facts
  • Motilal acted in bold films such as Achhut (1940), which was praised by Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel for its progressive theme.The Indian Express
  • Motilal influenced prominent actors including Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah, impacting generations of Indian cinema talent.The Indian Express
  • He led a flamboyant lifestyle marked by a love for gambling and flying, which caused significant financial losses.The Indian Express
  • Motilal died penniless due to lavish spending and bad investments, including losses on a passion project he produced.The Indian Express
Key Stats at a Glance
Year of the film Achhut featuring Motilal
1940 year
The Indian Express
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