Best of Sadda Punjab
Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh is known for his unmatched energy and acting talent, but very few people know that this artistic spark runs in his family across generations. Ranveer Singh’s grandmother, Chand Burke, was a famous actress of her time and was known in the world of cinema as the “Dancing Lily of Punjab.” Her life was no less than a film story, filled with the pain of Partition, struggle and eventual success.
The Pre-Partition Era and the Streets of Lahore
Chand Burke was born on February 2, 1932, in undivided India, now Pakistan. She was born into a Christian family and was the youngest of 12 siblings. Her family belonged to an educated and art-loving background, which gave her an early interest in dance and acting.
She began her career in the 1940s in Lahore, which was then a major centre of the film industry. Because of her beauty and excellent dancing skills, she quickly became popular, and people fondly began calling her “Dancing Lily.”
A Golden Journey in Punjabi Cinema
In 1946, at the age of 14, Chand began her film journey with the Punjabi film Kahan Gaye. After that, she played important roles in several well-known Punjabi films, including Posti, Kaude Shah, Mutiar, Shah Ji, Pagri Sambhal Jatta, Vanjara, Billo, Pardesi Dhola and Pardesan.
Chand Burke’s acting had a special charm that held the audience’s attention. Her dance style, in particular, made her famous across Punjab, earning her the title “Dancing Lily of Punjab.” But just as she was climbing the ladder of success, the tragedy of Partition struck.
From Lahore to Bombay
The Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 displaced Chand Burke’s family, like millions of others. She had to leave her home and move to Bombay, now Mumbai. Despite already being an established actress, starting from zero in a new city was not easy. She struggled for some time to find work in Hindi films, but her talent could not remain hidden for long.
Raj Kapoor’s Eye for Talent and Her Bollywood Break
Chand Burke’s fortunes changed when showman Raj Kapoor noticed her. Raj Kapoor was looking for an actress for his classic film Boot Polish (1954), someone who could play a strict yet emotional character. More than 200 candidates reportedly auditioned for the role, but Raj Kapoor chose Chand Burke.
Her role as Kamla Devi in the film made her famous in Hindi cinema almost overnight. After this, she worked in several memorable films, including Pardesi, Dushman, Shravan Kumar and Adalat.
Personal Life and Her Deep Connection With Ranveer Singh
Chand Burke’s personal life also had many ups and downs. Her first marriage was to writer and film director Niranjan, but the relationship did not last long, and the couple divorced in 1954. Later, in 1955, she married businessman Sunder Singh Bhavnani.
Chand Burke and Sunder Singh Bhavnani had two children: a daughter, Tonya, and a son, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani. Jagjit Singh Bhavnani is Ranveer Singh’s father. This makes Chand Burke Ranveer Singh’s paternal grandmother. Ranveer Singh has often mentioned in interviews that his grandmother was a very stylish woman deeply devoted to art. He also believes that his passion for acting came to him as part of her legacy.
A Special Family Link With Sonam Kapoor
Few people know that Ranveer Singh and Sonam Kapoor are related. Chand Burke and Sonam Kapoor’s maternal grandmother, the mother of Sunita Kapoor, were sisters. This makes Ranveer Singh and Sonam Kapoor distant cousins. This connection shows how several major Bollywood names are linked through a shared artistic legacy.
A Remarkable Legacy
During her film career, Chand Burke worked in many impactful films. Although she did not achieve the same level of stardom in Mumbai that she had enjoyed in Punjab, her powerful acting was widely appreciated. She also appeared in memorable roles in films such as Pardesi, Gul Sanobar, Basant Bahar and Dushman, which helped her build a distinct identity in Hindi cinema.
Unfulfilled Dreams and Her Final Years
Chand Burke always wanted her son Jagjit to join films, but he chose his father’s business instead of the film world. Her son may not have fulfilled this wish, but her grandson Ranveer Singh eventually turned that dream into reality.
Chand Burke passed away on December 28, 2008. She did not live to see Ranveer’s success. Ranveer Singh made his Bollywood debut in 2010 with Band Baaja Baaraat, just two years after his grandmother’s death. The success he has achieved today is, in some way, part of his grandmother’s unfulfilled dream and artistic inheritance.
Chand Burke’s story is not just the story of an actress. It is a story of Partition, struggle and an unbroken love for art. The journey of the “Dancing Lily of Punjab” from the streets of Lahore to the film studios of Mumbai remains inspiring for new artists even today. Behind Ranveer Singh’s success lies the blessing of his grandmother and the rich cinematic legacy that Chand Burke created with pride.
by Manmeet Kaur
This article originally appeared in Sadda Punjab
Also Read: From tariffs to trade: A reset of India-US ties
You can connect with DNN24 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
