If you’re a fan of Bollywood, chances are you’ve heard of Ranveer Singh, the charismatic actor known for his energetic performances and distinctive fashion choices. He’s made a name for himself in the industry and is often praised for his rise from a supposedly non-acting background. But did you know that acting and showmanship run in his blood? His grandmother, Chand Burke, was a significant figure in the Indian film industry long before Ranveer Singh’s star began to rise.
The Punjab Province of British India, which is now a part of Pakistan, is where Chand Burke, also known as Chand Burque, was born on February 2, 1932. Her love of the arts blossomed in her large Christian family, where she was raised in a busy household with twelve siblings. From a young age, Burke’s remarkable dance abilities drew her attention to the stage. Her skill at dancing was so fascinating that she was dubbed “the Dancing Lily of Punjab.” Her career didn’t really take off until after India was divided into two countries in 1947, but she did make her acting debut in the Punjabi film “Kahan Gaye” in 1946.
Burke relocated to Bombay, then known as Mumbai, after Partition, where she started her career in Bollywood. She portrayed a torturous aunt in Raj Kapoor’s 1954 film “Boot Polish,” which enjoyed an essential role for her. Her performance was praised by both reviewers and viewers, and this served as her official debut in the Hindi cinema business. Burke gained popularity in Bollywood in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to her inherent charm and ability to play complicated characters.
Burke experienced numerous highs and lows in her personal life while her Bollywood career was booming. In 1954, she was separated from her first husband, writer-director Niranjan, the same year she made her Bollywood debut. In 1955, she got hitched to businessman Sundar Singh Bhavnani, and together they had two children: a son named Jagjit and a daughter named Tonya. Thereafter, Jagjit got married to Anju Bhavnani, and their son Ranveer Singh carried on the family’s creative heritage by inspiring a new generation of artists.
Burke’s career was noteworthy in Bollywood history, but her life also tells a larger tale of the ups and downs faced by the Indian cinema industry in the middle of the 20th century. She was one of the numerous people who moved from Lahore to Mumbai after the Partition; she travelled from the vibrant Punjabi theatres to the busy Mumbai film sets.
Her grandson, Ranveer Singh, has certainly created a name for himself in Bollywood, becoming as one of the industry’s most renowned performers. However, a crucial aspect of Chand Burke’s biography is his reputation as an actor and performer. It serves as a reminder that we sometimes underestimate our level of enthusiasm and aptitude for entertaining crowds. Burke’s career, her roles, and her colourful personality opened doors for a new wave of artists, one of whom was her grandson. Hence, the next time you watch a movie with Ranveer Singh, keep in mind that his legacy has been fashioned by a great woman—the one and only Chand Burke—who danced her way into many people’s hearts.
