Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar (born
Kumudlal Ganguly; 13 October 1911 – 10 December 2001), was an Indian actor who attained iconic status in
Indian cinema. He was considered the first big star of Indian cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. He was a member of the cinematic
Ganguly family. He was honoured in 1988 with the
Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the
Government of India. He received the
Padma Shri in 1962 and
Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
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