Paidi Jairaj

Paidi Jairaj, Jayraj or Jai Raj (Telugu: పైడి జైరాజ్) (September 28, 1909 – August 11, 2000) was a renowned film actor, director and producer. He was recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in 1980.

Personal Life
Jairaj was born in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh State on September 28, 1909. A close relative of Sarojini Naidu, he received his education in Hyderabad. He developed interest in films during his graduate studies at Nizam College and left for Bombay in 1929.

He started his acting career in 1929 with silent movie Star Kling Youth. But subsequently he acted in about 11 silent movies including Triangle of Love, Mathru Bhoomi, All for Lover, Mahasagar Mothi, Flight into Death, My Hero etc.

During the talkie period, from 1931 onwards, he started with Shikari in Urdu and English languages. Subsequently he was one of the top heroes for about two decades along with Shantaram, Pruthviraj Kapoor, Motilal etc., He acted with top heroines like Nirupa Roy, Shobhana Samarth, Shakeela, Sashikala, Devika Rani, Meena Kumari, Chand Usmani, Madhuri, Jebunnisa, Khursheed with some big successes. Bhabhi film put him in the list of top heroes.

The movies most remembered for his action are some of the historical films like Rajputani, Shajahan, Amar Singh Rathod, Veer Durgadas, Pruthviraj Chauhan, Rana Pratap, Tippu Sultan, Razia Sultana, Allauddin, Jai Chitod, Rana Hameer and many others. His body built, action and speech are best suited for these legendary characters. In the Shahid-e-Alam film, he acted as Chandrasekhar Azad.

He acted in about 170 films mostly in Hindi and Urdu, and some Marathi and Gujarati films. He directed a few films like Mohar, Mala (1943), Pratima, Rajghar and Saagar (1951). He produced the film Saagar in 1951. Though he was born a Telugu person, he did not act in any Telugu films.

Government of India honoured him by presenting Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his lifetime service to Indian film industry in 1980.

He married a Punjabi lady Savithri. He had two sons and three daughters. He died in Bombay on August 11, 2000.

Actor

 * 1930: Jagmagti Jawani
 * 1932: Shikari
 * 1933: Maya Jaal, Patit Pawan, Aurat Ka Dil
 * 1934: Mazdoor
 * 1935: Sher Dil Aurat, Jeevan Natak
 * 1937: Toofani Khazana
 * 1938: Madhur Milan
 * 1939: Jugari, Leatherface
 * 1940: Chambe Di Kali
 * 1941: Prabhat, Mala, Swami
 * 1942: Nai Duniya
 * 1943: Nai Kahani, Hamari Baat, Prem Sangeet
 * 1944: Panna
 * 1945: Rahat
 * 1946: Shahjehan, Salgirah, Rajputani
 * 1948: Sajan Ka Ghar, Anjuman, Azadi Ki Raah Par
 * 1949: Darogaji, Roomal, Singaar, Amar Kahani
 * 1951: Rajput, Saagar
 * 1952: Lal Kunwar
 * 1954: Baadbaan
 * 1955: Teerandaz, Insaniyat
 * 1956: Parivar, Hatim Tai
 * 1957: Mumtaz Mahal, Journey Beyond Three Seas (Pardesi)
 * 1959: Char Dil Char Raahein
 * 1960: Return of Mr. Superman (Mr. Superman ki Wapsi)
 * 1960: Lal Quila
 * 1961: Razia Sultana, Aas Ka Panchhi, Jai Chitod
 * 1963: Nine Hours to Rama
 * 1964: Khufia Mahal
 * 1965: Baghi Haseena
 * 1966: Maya
 * 1967: Baharon Ke Sapne
 * 1968: Neel Kamal
 * 1970: Gunah Aur Kanoon, Jeevan Mrityu
 * 1971: Nadaan, Chhoti Bahu
 * 1972: Shehzada
 * 1973: Gehri Chaal, Suraj Aur Chanda, Chhalia, Naag Mere Saathi
 * 1974: Chor Chor, Faslah,
 * 1975: Sholay (Police Commissioner), Kala Sona, Dharmatma, Jogidas Khuman, Himalay Se Ooncha, Toofan
 * 1976: Hera Pheri, Charas, Bairaag, Naag Champa
 * 1977: Chhailla Babu, Kachcha Chor
 * 1978: Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Don, Aakhri Daku, Khoon Ka Badla Khoon
 * 1979: Ahimsa, Nagin Aur Suhagan
 * 1980: Jyoti Bane Jwala, Chunaoti, Jazbaat
 * 1981: Fiffty Fiffty, Khoon Aur Paani, Kranti
 * 1983: Ardh Satya, Masoom, Karate, Pukar
 * 1984: Bindiya Chamkegi, Unchi Uraan
 * 1986: Zinda Laash
 * 1988: Khoon Bhari Maang
 * 1992: Lambu Dada
 * 1994: Betaaj Badshah
 * 1995: God and Gun
 * 2004: Run

Director

 * 1945: Pratima
 * 1951: Saagar
 * 1959: Mohar