Paidi Jairaj

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

Early life

Jairaj was born Paidypathy Jairula Naidu in Karimnagar, Hyderabad State (of which the present day Telangana State was a part) on 28 September 1909. A close relative (Nephew) of Sarojini Naidu, They were 3 brothers - P.Sundarraj Naidu, P. Deendayal Naidu ( Artist), P.Jairaj was the Youngest, he received his education in Hyderabad. He developed interest in films during his graduate studies at Nizam College and left for Bombay in 1929.

Career

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.