Jagdish Sethi

Biography

Jagdish Sethi (15 January 1903 – 12 June 1969) was an Indian actor and film director born in Punjab, India, whose prolific career spanned nearly four decades and included over 80 appearances in Hindi and regional cinema. He is best remembered for his character‑driven performances in key early sound‑era films such as Draupadi (1931), where he portrayed Duryodhana in one of India's first mythological talkies, Anath Ashram (1937), and Insaan (1952), a socially conscious drama which he also directed. Jagdish Sethi directed several films including Do Dil (1947), Insaan (1952), and Jaggu (1952), and contributed as a screenwriter, lyricist, and producer in industry collaborations with major studios such as New Theatres, Imperial, and Filmistan. Recognized for his versatility in both performance and filmmaking, he remained one of the notable figures of early Indian cinema until his passing in Bombay on 12 June 1969.

Known For

Mera Saaya

Acting

1957

Miss Mary

as

1930

The Arabian Knight

as

1958

Phir Subha Hogi

as

Harbanslal

1952

Nau Bahar

as

1942

Station Master

as

1952

Do Raha

as

1950

Pardes

as

Lala Mangaldas / Manglu

1958

Sitaron Se Aage

as

Shyamlal

1960

Chaudhary Karnail Singh

as

Chaudhary Karnail Singh

1937

President

as

Dr Shethy

1938

Street Singer

as

1931

The Light of the World

as

1962

Baat Ek Raat Ki

as

1954

Aar Paar

as

Lalaji

1940

Nartaki

as

Seth Hiralal

1966

Mera Saaya

as

Judge

1954

Waris

as

Rana Himmat Singh

1944

Chal Chal Re Naujawan

as

Thakur Jaipal Singh

1945

Village Girl

as

1945

Amrapali

as

Mahamantra

1931

Draupadi

as

Duryodhana

1942

Tamanna

as

Arabind

1944

Bhagya Laxmi

as

1944

Kadambari

as

1945

Chand Tara

as

Ratan's Father

1937

Anath Ashram

as

Jai Narain

1939

As You Please

as

1934

Anokha Prem

as

Production

Crew

Directing

1952

Insaan

as