Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi was born in the sacred city of Varanasi, also known as Benares, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. His father, Pandit Bhairodutt Choube, affectionately referred to as Choubeji, was the proprietor of the esteemed Sanatan Dharm Natak Samaj Mandali in Varanasi. Initially, Kanhaiyalal's father was not in favor of his son pursuing a career in the performing arts, but Kanhaiyalal eventually wore down his father's opposition by taking on odd jobs within the troupe. At the tender age of 16, he began writing and gradually transitioned into smaller roles.
When his father passed away, Kanhaiyalal and his brothers attempted to run the drama company, but ultimately, they were unsuccessful and were forced to shut down. This marked the beginning of Kanhaiyalal's journey towards a career in the film industry in Bombay. His elder brother, Sankat Prasad Chaturvedi, had already established himself as an actor in silent films, but Kanhaiyalal initially intended to focus on writing and directing instead. However, he eventually began working as an extra in Sagar Movietone's Sagar Ka Sher, a decision that would alter the course of his life.
Kanhaiyalal's passion for plays led him to Mumbai, where he staged his own written play, Pandrah August, and later attempted to make a name for himself in the film industry. He also wrote numerous plays throughout his career. In 1940, he landed a role as a moneylender in Mehboob Khan's film, Aurat, under the pseudonym Sukhilala. This marked the beginning of his journey as a character artist in many films.
When Mehboob Khan directed the iconic film, Mother India, in 1957, he once again chose Kanhaiyalal to play the role of Sukkhi Lala, a character that would become synonymous with his natural acting abilities. Kanhaiyalal went on to play a diverse range of roles in films like Upkaar, Dost, Apna Desh, Holi Aayi Re, Janta Hawaldar, Oonche Log, Son Of India, and Hathkadi. Apart from Mother India, his admirers fondly remember him for his roles in Dushman, Ganga Jamuna (1960),and Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
In addition to his film career, Kanhaiyalal also left behind a legacy in the form of his daughter, Hemaa Singh, who owns the film-making banner, Kanhaiyalal Productions. She has produced a documentary film entitled Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, a testament to her father's enduring legacy in the world of Indian cinema.
