Ramayan Tiwari – Bollywood actor of classic era

Ramayan Tiwari was an actor from Bihar, who worked in Bollywood films during 1940s-1980s. He mostly played character roles on screen, and has directed one movie – ‘Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh’ (1960). He was the first actor from Bihar who made it big in Bollywood, and he appeared in some of the best films made by Bimal Roy, Raj Kapoor, Raj Khosle, Shakti Samanta etc. He played supporting roles in Do Bigha Zamin, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Madhumati, Pocketmaar, Kismet (1956), Kaajal, Yahudi, Mera Saaya, Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Aradhana, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Patthar Ke Sanam, Mera Naam Johar, Hamjoli, Khilona, Gopi, Majboor, Rafu Chakkar, Dost, Neel Kamal, Jai Santoshi Mata,  Ganga Ki Saugand and many more.

Ramayan Tiwari, best known as Tiwari hailed from a small village, Maner in Patna, Bihar. Little is known about his date his birth. He was around 30 years old at the time of Indian independence, certifies his son Bhushan Tiwari who has also done brief roles in Bollywood. Following family tradition Ramayan Tiwari took to farming, and was a freedom fighter as a member of Azaad Hind Fauj before he moved to Mumbai in search of job in the late 1930s. He did small jobs at Prabhat Studio, showed his face for movies for the first time when a character actor was absent. Man Mandir was the movie for which he played an uncredited role, which he accepted with happily.

After that he started accepting brief roles on screen and turned busy with mid-1950s working with some leading directors of the time. He was active in film industry till his last days. Bimal Roy’s landmark ‘Do Bigha Zameen’ was his first prominent role, and his character tries to molest Nirupa Roy who just landed in the city.

Ramayan Tiwari – 10+ Interesting and less-known facts

1. He was into farming and was a freedom fighter before he joined film industry.

2. He completed 10^th grade, and used to work in the grassland under family pressure. It was during those days when he took part in freedom struggle movement.

3. He came to Mumbai for the first time without informing his family. After eight or ten years, when his family presumed him dead and decided to conduct end rituals, a native from his village saw his picture in a movie poster.

4. Nirdosh in 1941 is his first credited role.

5. He has done around 125 films, and shined most in negative shaded roles with his distinct voice.

6. Wikipedia claims his last movie to be Nigahen (1989) with several films of 1980s to his credit. But it also claims he passed away in 1980 after 36 active years in the industry. It’s to be interpreted that filmography list has mixed up with his son Bhushan Tiwari’s films also, as both were credited as ‘Tiwari’ in opening credits.

7. He has also done Punjabi movies like ‘Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai’ (1969) and also Bhojpuri films.

8. He produced the first ever Bhojpuri film, ‘Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo’ (1962).

9. Ramayan Tiwari Cineyatra Samman is a film award named after him.

10. His son Bhushan Tiwari has also appeared in Bollywood films during 1970s-1990s, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Parvarish, Swami Dada, Kuwara Baap, Bade Dil Wala, Nehle Pe Dehla, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Raja Jani, Mela, Zanjeer etc to name a few. He mostly played negative roles.

11. Like his father Bhushan Tiwari mostly played bad man on screen and got noticed for henchman and smuggler roles. He only earned limited success just like his father, and failed to get a major breakthrough.