Bollywood’s Iconic Judges: From Saurabh Shukla to Murad, One Played Judge 300 Times

D.K. Sapru

D.K. Sapru began his acting journey in 1947. He spent over three decades as a character actor, becoming a familiar face in many movies. You might remember him from classics like ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’, ‘Heer Raanjha’, ‘Pakeezah’, ‘Shahid’, and ‘Leader’. He also took on the role of a judge in films such as ‘Phool Aur Patthar Duniya’, ‘Prem Pujari’, and ‘Halchal’. Interestingly, his son, Tej Sapru, followed in his footsteps and also became an actor.

Jagdish Sethi

Jagdish Sethi holds a special place in history; he started his career in 1931 with ‘Alam Ara’, India’s very first sound film. This trailblazing actor also spent time on screen as a judge. One of his notable judicial roles was in ‘Mera Saaya’, a gripping courtroom drama starring Sunil Dutt and Sadhana. Sethi’s legacy is truly built on pioneering cinema and portraying authority.

Prithviraj Kapoor

The legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, famous for his iconic portrayal of Emperor Akbar in ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, also stepped into the judge’s robes. He did so in his son Raj Kapoor’s blockbuster film ‘Awaara’. This movie holds a special place, showcasing three generations of the Kapoor family. In the powerful climax, Prithviraj Kapoor appeared as a witness, while his own father, Diwan Basheshwarnath Kapoor, played the judge. Talk about family talent!

Hamid Ali Murad

Hamid Ali Murad, widely known as Murad in the film industry, holds a record that’s hard to beat. Born in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1911, he was a prolific supporting actor. Murad graced the screen in countless roles throughout his career. But it was his portrayal of a judge that truly set him apart. He didn’t play a judge just a few times; he took on the role in an astonishing 300 films!

Starting his career in the 1940s, Murad appeared in around 500 films by 1990. Out of these, a mind-boggling 300 saw him sitting on the judge’s bench. His consistency in this particular role is simply incredible. Interestingly, his son, Raza Murad, is also a well-known actor today, famous for playing powerful villain roles. It seems the acting bug, and perhaps a touch of on-screen authority, runs in the family!