Mulraj Rajda

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 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.

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 (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 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 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

Start in Gujarati industry 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 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. He also played the role of Kailash Chandra 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 He wrote the story of 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 (1973). Then again in 2008, Rohit Shetty made Golmaal Returns which was the remake of Pheka Pheki (1989).

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 Before entering into directing films and television shows, he has directed many plays in Gujarati theatre. Mulraj first directed Koinu Mindhal Koina Hathe (1979) 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

Films 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 Gujarati1996 Yash Hindi 1997 Jai Mahalaxmi Maa Lahoo Ke Do Rang Mrityudaata Sanam (1997 film) 2001 Boond

As writer Year Film Notes 1973 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 Year Film Notes 1979 Koinu Mindhal Koina Hathe Gujarati Language Film 2002 Jai Shri Swaminarayan

Television 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 YearAward ShowAwardShowResult 1974 Filmfare Awards Best Story

Death Mulraj Rajda died due to age related complications on 23 September 2012 at the age of 80 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. 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.