D K Sapru

D. K. Sapru (16 March 1916 – 20 October 1979), commonly known as Sapru, was an Indian actor famed for a variety of character roles in Hindi cinema, particularly villains, judges and aristocrats in crime thrillers and dramas. His most notable performances were in Bollywood productions of between the late 1950s and early 1970s, including Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Heer Raanjha, Pakeezah, Kala Pani, Dooj Ka Chand, Tere Mere Sapne, Humjoli, Jewel Thief, and Deewar.

Born to Kashmiri Pandit parents in 1916, Sapru made his Bollywood debut in Chand (1944), starring Prem Adib, another Kashmiri Pandit actor who was regarded as a superstar at the time. By the early 1970s, Sapru had risen to prominence as a villain in crime thrillers. Although he died in 1979, he continued to appear in several films that were released in the 1980s, including Krodhi (1981).

His son Tej Sapru and younger daughter Preeti Sapru are actors in Punjabi and Hindi films. His elder daughter Reema Rakesh Nath is a scriptwriter and director, and her son, actor Karan Nath, is Sapru's only grandson.

Selected filmography

Year Film Role Credited as

1981 Kudrat Janak Singh's Father Sapru

1981 Krodhi Zimmedar (Raja's Dad)

1980 Jyoti Bane Jwala

1978 Chor Ke Ghar Chor Thakur Sapru

1978 Naya Daur (1978 film) Hotel Manager Sapru

1978 Vishwanath Sapru

1978 Phaansi Chhaya's Father Sapru

1978 Ram Kasam

1977 Mukti Mr. Verma Sapru

1977 Guru Manio Granth Chandu Seth

1977 Chhaila Babu Ramesh Verma Uncredited

1977 Alibaba Marjinaa Badshah

1977 Dharam Veer Badshah Sapru

1977 Dream Girl Sindhi Groom's Dad Sapru

1977 Gayatri Mahima

1977 Jai Ambe Maa

1976 Charas Watson Sapru

1976 Adalat Judge

1975 Faraar Defence Lawyer Sapru

1975 Pratigya (1975 film) Purohit

1975 Rafoo Chakkar #6 Duo Sapru

1975 Deewaar Mr. Agarwal Sapru

1975 Lafange Dhanraj

1974 Majboor Neelu's Dad Sapru

1974 Benaam Mr. Sharma

1974 Haath Ki Safai Baba Sheikh Sapru

1974 Resham Ki Dori Anupama's Grandfather Sapru

1974 Patthar Aur Payal Rai Bahadur Shiv Narayan Sinha Sapru

1974 5 Rifles Maharaja Sapru

1974 Kasauti Hariram Sapru

1974 Do Chattane Dhaniram

1974 Imtihaan College Chairman

1974 Chowkidaar Thakur Ranvir Singh

1974 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam

1974 Paise Ki Gudiya Raja Saheb (Madhavi's Patron) Sapru

1974 Prem Shastra Judge

1974 Shaitan Police Commissioner Sapru

1973 Zanjeer Patil Sapru

1972 Bhai Ho To Aisa Thakur Vikram Singh Sapru

1972 Pakeezah Hakim Saab Sapru

1971 Gambler Ganga Ram Sapru

1971 Shri Krishna Leela Raja Kansa Sapru

1970 Prem Pujari Military Judge Sapru

1970 Heer Ranjha Sapru

1969 Sajan manoj Kumar father

1969 Satyakam Diwan Bajridhar Talwar Sapru

1968 Humsaya Mr. Sen Sapru

1967 Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan Amarchand Mehra Sapru

1967 Jewel Thief Seth Vishambhar Nath Sapru

1966 Dil Diya Dard Liya Thakur Sapru

1965 Johar-Mehmood in Goa Hakim

1965 Shaheed Sardar Kishan Singh Sapru

1964 Leader King of Shahgarh Sapru

1963 Mujhe Jeene Do Zamindar Sapru

1962 Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam Chaudhary (Majhle Sarkar) Sapru

1962 Sangeet Samrat Tansen Raja Ramchandra Sapru

1960 Hum Hindustani Judge

1958 Kalapani Diwan Sardarilal Sapru

1955 Waman Avtar Mahabali Sapru

1953 Jhansi Ki Rani General Sir Hugh Rose Sapru

1948 Lal Dupatta Manager Sapru

1947 Romeo And Juliet