June 4th, 2011

Shyama Zutshi

[ Selected Filmography ]

Real Name -  Shyama Zutshi

Profession – Actress (Heroine), Political Leader

Most Active/Popular Decades – 1930s

Religion – Hindu

Ethnicity – Kashmiri Brahmin

Date of Birth – N/A

Date of Death – N/A

Debut Film – Vishnu Bhakti (1934).

Last Film – Khuni Jadugar (1939).

Significant others in the Film Industry – N/A

Miscellaneous Info - Many people confuse Shyama Zutshi with the better known actress of the 50s – Shyama aka Khurshid Akhtar, not knowing that they were completely different people altogether. Shyama was the first woman and one of the few girls from Kashmiri Brahmin community to join the film industry. Daughter of a Lahore barrister, Shyama started her career in 1934 with the release of Oriental Company’s Vishnu Bhakti. She also appeared in one of the first films directed by Roshan Lal Shorey – Majnu(1935). Herald Louis was the leading man opposite Shyama Zutshi in that film.

Shyama was a Congress Leader who took part in political activities. Therefore, she bid farewell to the film world after extremely short career in films. It is said that Chandramohan Watal, then an influential conservative Kashmiri Pandit in films, opposed the entry of a Kashmiri community girl in films and fought tooth and nail to get her to leave her film career.

Did you know? Yashodhara Katju (niece of Pandit Nehru) was next in line of Kashmiri Brahmin girls to join the Indian Film Industry.

Related Youtube Video – N/A

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