Personal Information

Full Name: Ashok Kumar

Nickname: Not Publicly Available

Country/State: India

Date of Birth: 1911-10-13

Languages Known: Bengali, Hindi, English

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Food Habit:

Religion: Hinduism

Hobbies: Reading novels, painting, singing, writing

Education

School: Not publicly

College: Presidency College, Calcutta (now Kolkata; studied law briefly before films)

Degrees Obtained: Graduate (Bachelor's degree; pursued law studies)

Physical Stats

Height: 175 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Family Information

Parents: Father: Kunjlal Ganguly (lawyer) Mother: Gouri Devi (homemaker)

Siblings: Anoop Kumar (actor, born Kalyan Kumar Ganguly) Kishore Kumar (singer-actor) Sister: Sati Devi

Marital Status: married

Wife: Shobha Devi

Children: 4

Career

Current Position: Late Actor, Producer, Director, Singer, Painter

Skills:

Net Worth: Approximately ₹100-200 crore equivalent legacy value (at time of death in 2001; from films, properties, family estates)

Awards & Achievements: Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988) – India's highest film honor Padma Bhushan (1999) Padma Shri (1962) National Film Award for Best Actor (1969) – Aashirwad Multiple Filmfare nominations and recognitions

Biography Details

Ashok Kumar (October 13, 1911 – December 10, 2001), born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bihar, was a pioneering Indian actor who revolutionized Hindi cinema with naturalistic performances. From a Bengali Brahmin family, he joined Bombay Talkies and debuted in Jeevan Naiya (1936). Hits like Achhut Kannya (1936) and Kismet (1943) made him India's first superstar and anti-hero icon.

Eldest brother to Anoop and Kishore Kumar, he married Shobha Devi in 1935; father to Preeti Ganguly and others. He produced, directed, and sang occasionally. Honored with Dadasaheb Phalke and Padma Bhushan, he passed away in Mumbai at 90 from heart failure. His legacy as "Dadamoni" endures through timeless roles and influence on generations of actors.

• December 10, 2025 (24th death anniversary tributes carried into 2026): Outlets like Outlook India and NFDC India remembered him as the man who revolutionized Hindi cinema with realistic acting and the anti-hero trend; articles highlighted his accidental entry into films and lasting impact.
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• October 13, 2025 (114th birth anniversary, extended discussions): Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB_India) and AIR News shared heartfelt tributes on Instagram/Facebook, calling him a timeless inspiration for aspiring actors; fans posted reels celebrating his pioneer status.
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• Ongoing legacy: No major new developments; focus on archival revivals, nostalgic posts, and family memories (e.g., connections to Ganguly-Mukherjee family). Tributes emphasize his role in early Bombay Talkies and influence on modern cinema in 2026 discussions.

Social Media & External Links