Bhudo Advani

Using nick names is age old tradition of Bollywood Hindi film industry of Mumbai Starting from Dada Muni [Ashok Kumar] to Bhai Jan [Salman Khan] there is long list of artists who are better known with nick name given to them than the original name. This might be surprising for many that there was one actor whose nick become his screen name, yes, I am talking about Hyderabad Sindh [now Pakistan] born Daulatram Advani, who said to have immense variety of facial expressions but as at younger age he lost his front teeth’s so in own Sindhi community he was called as Budha or Budho meaning old age person. In the 1933 when Advani started his film career with film Afzal [Hoor-E-Haram] directed by Mohan Bhavnani he was introduced as Bhudo Advani instead of his original name Daulatram Advani. Bhudo also indicated myth about spelling trading in film industry as if we write as per Sindhi pronunciation his name should be written as Budho Advani.
Satyajit Ray’s film Shatranj Ke Khiladi release in 1977 proved last silver screen appearance of Budha Advani. During this journey of almost half century [44 years] Bhudo Advani acted in close to hundred films. Though he started career as Character artists and was part of several films of Mohan Bhavnani and Ajanta Cinetone. In 1935 film Dr. Madhurika was released this film was directed by Sarvottam Badami and was the first film of Bhudo Advani in which he played comic role. In the start Bhudo joined Ajanta Cinetone and afterward Sagar Movie tone but very shortly – around 1940 – he started working freelance. He created a unique record as he acted in all films of legendry director Mehboob Khan not only of Sagar Movie tone but also of National Studios which was started by Khan after being separated from Sagar Movie tone. Bhudo Advani also acted in 1958 released Sindhi film Rai Daich.
This is hard truth that Bhudo Advani never got a chance to prove his talent, but he never complained about it and kept on working whatever role he was getting. He worked with almost all leading directors of that time. Bhudo has started his career as stage artist so he was aware of value of the role which does not depends on the length of role. This proved right in film Boot Polish in which for song Lapak Jhapak Tu Aa Re Badariya central character was played by David but people notice Bhudo Advani in song. Anmol Ghadi (1946), Madhumati (1958) and Anokhi Ada (1948) are some of the top listed films of Bhudo Adwani. Bhudo Advani can be remembered as most versatile character actor & comedian of Black & Film era of Bollywood. If we look at the release film of Bhudo Advani we can say that 1960 can be said end of his film career as after that he acted only in three films Bachpan [1963], Khamoshi [1969] and then after a gap of 8 years Shatranj Ke Khiladi [1977].
Bhudo Advani born at Hyderabad Sindh on 17 August 1905, after his exams of matric were over, was acting in drama and playing role of an old man [Buddha in Sindhi] was noticed by Ajanta Cinetone representative present in audience and he advised Advani to try to work in films. On this invitation Bhudo came to Bombay with hope that Sindhi Mohan Bhavnani associated with Ajanta Cinetone as director will help & guide. On 25 July 1985 at the age of 80 years Bhudo Advani breathed last.