K.L. Saigal
ActingAbout K.L. Saigal
Kundanlal Saigal, often abbreviated as K. L. Saigal, was an Indian singer and actor who is considered the first superstar of the Hindi film industry, which was centred in Kolkata during Saigal's time, but is currently centred in Mumbai. Saigal's unique voice quality which was a mixture of baritone and soft tenor was the benchmark for most of the singers who followed him. In fact it remains the gold standard even today shining through a very early and practically primitive recording technology.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of K.L. Saigal reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 25 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of K.L. Saigal's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 0% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), K.L. Saigal remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Shahjehan, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best K.L. Saigal Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from K.L. Saigal's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of K.L. Saigal.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Parwana | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Omar Khayyam | Omar Khayyam | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Shahjehan | Sohail | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Kurukshetra | Karna | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Tadbir | Kanhaiyalal | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Bhanwara | Pancham | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | My Sister | Ramesh | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Tansen | Tansen | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bhakta Surdas | Bhakta Surdas | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Lagan | Harish | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Zindagi | Ratan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Jiban Maran | Mohan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Street Singer | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Didi | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | President | Prakash | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Devdas | Devdas | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Devdas | Cameo (guest at Chandramukhi's house) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Karwane Hayat | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Chandidas | Chandidas | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Daku Mansoor | Mansoor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Roop Lekha | Arup in the Hindi version | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | Yahudi Ki Ladki | Prince Marcus | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | Rajrani Meera | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Devoted | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | A Living Corpse | - | Flop | Similar → |
K.L. Saigal - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of K.L. Saigal?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring K.L. Saigal is "Shahjehan" with a rating of 5.0/10.
How many movies has K.L. Saigal acted in?
K.L. Saigal has been featured in at least 25 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by K.L. Saigal?
Other notable films include "President", "Street Singer", and "Jiban Maran".