Tun Tun

Tun Tun ^[1] (11 July 1923 – 24 November 2003) ^[1] was the screen name of Indian playback singer and actress-comedienne, Uma Devi Khatri, who is often called the 'first woman comedienne of Hindi cinema'.^[2]

Early life

Uma Devi, was born in a conservative North Indian family, in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, where after the premature death of her parents while she was still her teens, she was raised by her brother and later by her uncle.

Career

She arrived in Bombay (Mumbai) at the age of 13, having run away from home, and knocked on composer Naushad Ali’s door. She told him that she could sing and that she would throw herself in the ocean if he didn’t give her a chance. He auditioned her, and hired her on the spot. She made her debut as a solo playback singer, in Nazir's Wamiq Azra (1946),^[3][4] working with legends like Naushad Ali, soon she signed a contract with the producer-director A.R. Kardar, who used Naushad as music director, and went on make a place for herself amidst music stalwarts like, Noor Jehan, Rajkumari, Khursheed and Zohrabai Ambalewali.

In 1947, she had huge hits with " Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-beqarar ka" ("I Am Writing My Saga of desperate heart"), "Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Kar" ("Who is This My Love?") and "Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Se Jhoom", which she sang for actress, Munawar Sultana, in A.R. Kardar's production, Dard (1947), again under the music direction of Naushad; she also sang a duet, "Betaab Hai Dil Dard-e-Mohabat Ke Asar Se", with Suraiya ^[5] In fact, a gentleman from Delhi, got so enamoured by her song, "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon", that he never went back and stayed with her in Bombay. They got married, and the couple had two daughters and two sons; her husband, whom she called Mohan, died in 1992.^[6]

Success of Dard, meant that she next received Mehboob Khan's, Anokhi Ada (1948), which again had two hit numbers, "Kahe jiya dole" ("Why the Heart Throbs") and "Dil ko lagake humne kuch bhi na paya" ("I Got Nothing by Falling in Love"). This brought her into the league of highly rated playback singers.^[4] She reached her peak as a vocalist in, director S.S. Vasan’s, "Chandralekha" (1948), made by Gemini Studios, Chennai, her seven songs, which include hits like, "Saanjh ki bela" ("These Moments of Evening"), remain her most accomplish work in her singing career; though signing the film also meant a breach of contract with producer-director, Kardar, which lead to her dwindling fortunes in the industry.

Moreover, in coming years, owing to her older style of singing and limited vocal range, she found it difficult to compete with the rising singing stars, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Eventually Naushad suggested that she take up acting, because she had a very bubbly personality and wonderful comic timing. He asked his friend Dilip Kumar to cast her in one of his films, and she appeared in Babul (1950) with him, which had Nargis as the lead actress; it is he who renamed her as 'Tun Tun' to suit her comic persona,^[2] and name stayed with her, and a comedic legend was born.

She went on to act in Guru Dutt’s classics like Aar Paar, (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) and Pyaasa (1957).^[7] In the 1960s and 1970s, she remained as a permanent comic relief in numerous Bollywood films, a few years down the line, she most notably starred in Amitabh Bachchan starrer, Namak Halaal (1982), a Prakash Mehra's blockbuster ^[3]

In her career spanning five decades, she acted in around 198 films in Hindi/Urdu and other languages like Punjabi etc., pairing with top comedy actors of her times like, Bhagwan Dada, Agha, Sunder, Mukri, Dhumal, Johnny Walker to Keshto Mukherjee,^[8] and was last seen in Hindi film in 'Kasam Dhande Ki' (1990).

Owing to her popularity, the name Tun Tun has been synonymous with fat women in India.

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1979	Lok Parlok	Sundari
1978	Satyam Shivam Sundaram	Fat Lady
1977	Aafat

1990 Kasam Dhande Ki Prema

1989 Shehzaade Hitler's Bride (uncredited)

1988 Ek Aadmi

1987 Deewana Tere Naam Ka

1986 Khel Mohabbat Ka House Maid

1985 Lover Boy Phoolmati

1985 Ghar Dwaar

1985 Salma Lady Singer - 'Mumtaz's marriage'

1984 Shorgol

1984 Kamla

1984 Raja Aur Rana Havaldar's wife (as Tuntun)

1984 Unchi Uraan

1983 I Coolie Mother of 7 babies

1983 Haadsaa Ladies Health Club Member

1983 Painter Babu Koyal

1982 Disco Dancer Bride (uncredited)

1982 Meharbaani

1982 Haathkadi

1982 Apradhi Kaun? Nurse

1982 Maine Jeena Seekh Liya Miss Tun Tun

1982 Namak Halaal Female guest with a dog

1982 Samraat Woman abroad ship (uncredited)

1982 Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya

1981 Sannata

1981 Biwi O Biwi Mrs. Singh's friend - Faints at swimming pool (uncredited)

1981 Saajan Ki Saheli Maria

1980 Andhera

1980 Qurbani Fat woman in car

1980 Gori Dian Jhanjran Bulbul's mom

1980 Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki

1980 Yari Dushmani

1979 Lok Parlok Sundari

1979 Baton Baton Mein Imaginary Nancy's mom

1979 Sarkari Mehmaan Bank employee

1978 Dil Aur Deewar Madame

1978 Phandebaaz

1978 Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se Fat lady in the theatre

1978 Satyam Shivam Sundaram Fat Lady

1978 Nasbandi Tonica

1978 Ankh Ka Tara

1978 Heeralal Pannalal

1978 Premi Gangaram

1977 Pandit Aur Pathan Champakali

1977 Aap Ki Khatir Dancer/Singer

1977 Tyaag

1977 Aafat

1977 Agar... If Champakali (Agarwal housemaid)

1977 Amaanat Referee (uncredited)

1977 Chacha Bhatija Kesto's bride

1977 Do Sholay Guest Appearance

1977 Gayatri Mahima

1977 Paapi Laila (as Tuntun)

1977 Taxi Taxie Mother of 9 children (as Tuntun)

1976 Hera Pheri Mrs. Dhaniram

1976 Nagin Maid

1976 Aap Beati Customer at Lord's Shoes

1976 Bhagwan Samaye Sansar Mein (as Tuntun)

1976 Bundal Baaz Rajaram's customer

1976 Rangila Ratan

1975 Aag Aur Toofan (as Tuntun)

1975 Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty Film heroine's mom (as Tun-Tun)

1975 Stree Purush

1974 Amir Garib Governess

1974 Naya Din Nai Raat Mental Patient

1974 Dil Diwana

1974 Hamrahi

1974 Hum Rahi (as Tuntun)

1974 Maa Bahen Aur Biwi

1974 My Friend

1974 Sacha Mera Roop Hai

1974 Shaitaan Meena Advani (uncredited)

1974 Thokar Mukhti's wife

1973 Kuchhe Dhaage Ramaswanti Bharose

1973 Bandhe Haath Kavita

1973 Heera

1973 Jalte Badan Chameli

1973 Naag Mere Saathi

1972 Gomti Ke Kinare Petrol Pump owner's wife

1972 Lalkar (The Challenge) Danko

1972 Aankhon Aankhon Mein Mrs. Pereira

1972 Apradh Mrs. Fernandes

1972 Be-Imaan

1972 Bindiya Aur Bandook

1972 Chori Chori

1972 Dil Daulat Duniya Baby's Mother

1972 Ek Hasina Do Diwane Phool Kumari

1972 Garam Masala Queen Khatoria

1972 Mele Mitran De

1972 Mome Ki Gudiya Daisy's mom

1972 Sabse Bada Sukh

1972 Samadhi Kalavati

1971 Hungama Jagdeep's Mother (as Tuntun)

1971 Upaasna

1971 Ek Paheli Lily

1971 Hulchul Philomena D'Costa

1971 Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong Sonia's Aunt

1971 Preet Ki Dori

1971 Shri Krishna Leela Rasili's Chachi

1971 Tulsi Vivah Senapati's mother-in-law

1971 Woh Din Yaad Karo

1970 Heer Raanjha Allah Rakhi

1970 I The Train (Guest Appearance)

1970 Aansoo Aur Muskan Bhagwanti

1970 Ehsan Mrs. Chaturmukh

1970 Geet Champavati 'Champa'

1970 Himmat Tiger's mom

1970 Pehchan Ganga's prospective bride

1970 Rootha Na Karo Neeta's maidservant (as Tuntun)

1970 Sharafat Champakali (as Tuntun)

1969 Do Raaste Swimming pool attendant

1969 Anjaana Mrs. Kapoor (Cooper)

1969 Anmol Moti

1969 Badi Didi

1969 Shart Obese Lady at the Bombay Massage House

1969 Talash Kamini

1968 Duniya Chabeli (uncredited)

1968 Aabroo (as Tuntun)

1968 Abhilasha Fat Lady (song "Yaaron Hamara Kya")

1968 Baharon Ki Manzil Glory D'Silva

1968 Dil Aur Mohabbat

1968 Har Har Gange

1968 Kanyadaan Bansi's mother-in-law

1968 Kismat

1968 Parivar Sitaram's employee

1968 Sadhu Aur Shaitaan Sundari

1968 Suhaag Raat Titli Banu

1967 Pind De Kuri

1967 Aag Phoolmati

1967 Badrinath Yatra Maid at brothel (uncredited)

1967 C.I.D. 909 Julie Fernandes D'Silva Ghobewali

1967 Dil Ne Pukara Kamla (uncredited)

1967 Duniya Nachegi

1967 Gunahon Ka Devta

1967 Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan Julie's Mother (as Tuntun)

1967 Upkar Lakhpati's Wife (as Tuntun)

1966 Aakhri Khat

1966 Afsana

1966 Dil Diya Dard Liya Mrs. Murlidhar

1966 Dillagi

1966 Kunwari

1966 Ladka Ladki Rajkumari Nirmala Devi

1966 Phool Aur Patthar Mrs. Alopinath (Guddki) (as Tuntun)

1966 Sagaai Anarkali

1966 Tarzan Aur Jadui Chirag

1966 Thakur Jarnail Singh

1965 Johar-Mehmood in Goa Simmi's Cellmate

1965 Ek Sapera Ek Lutera Bindu

1965 Jab Jab Phool Khile Mary (Guest Appearance)

1965 Kaajal Amba

1965 Lutera

1965 Maharaja Vikram

1965 Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain Baby (as Tuntun)

1965 Raaka

1965 Rustom-E-Hind

1965 Saheli Mother of 5 children

1964 Cha Cha Cha Mohan's Mother (uncredited)

1964 Rajkumar Champakali

1964 Aaya Toofan Maha Dasi

1964 Darasingh: Ironman Rangili's mom

1964 Fariyad

1964 Ganga Ki Lahren Maid

1964 Kashmir Ki Kali Rama Devi

1964 Khufia Mahal

1964 Mr. X in Bombay Kamini

1963 Bluff Master Lajwanti

1963 Ek Dil Sao Afsane Wedding Guest who requested for Laddu

1963 Ek Raaz Champakali

1963 Gehra Daag Sundari (as Tuntun)

1963 Godaan

1963 Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai Kitty's servant

1963 Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya

1963 Naag Rani Chand's friend (uncredited)

1963 Phool Bane Angaare Kamla's sister-in-law

1963 Shikari

1963 Ustadon Ke Ustad Hostess of Qawwali contest

1962 China Town Mahakali

1962 Half Ticket Real Munna's Mother (as Tuntun)

1962 Jhoola Mother

1962 Professor Phool Rani

1962 Son of India Gopal's foster mom

1962 Ummeed

1962 Vallah Kya Baat Hai

1961 Chaudhvin Ka Chand Naseeban (as Uma Devi)

1961 Gunga Jumna Bhajiwali (uncredited)

1961 Passport Woman who offers shelter to Reeta & Shekhar (as Tuntun)

1961 Shama Vee Aapa

1960 Bombai Ka Babu

1960 Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai Haseena

1960 Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere Moti's Mother (as Tuntun)

1960 Ek Phool Char Kaante Jamnabai

1960 Jaali Note Mrs. Malik (uncredited)

1960 Kiklee

1960 Kohinoor

1959 Bank Manager

1959 Bhai-Bahen Julie

1959 Black Cat Mrs. Ramanlal (uncredited)

1959 Chacha Zindabad

1959 Jungle King

1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool Telephone Operator

1959 Kavi Kalidas Kali's step-mom

1959 Qaidi No. 911

1959 Ujala

1958 12 O'Clock Kumari Natesh Sundari (as Uma Devi)

1958/I Aakhri Dao Muthuswami's Daughter

1958 Aji Bas Shukriya

1958 Lajwanti Tun Tun (uncredited)

1958 Malik

1958 Criminal Lajwanti 'Lajo'

1958 Phil Subha Hogi Ram's Landlord (uncredited)

1958 Solva Saal Aspiring actress/Singer

1957 Pyaasa Pushplata

1957 Captain Kishore

1957 Do Roti

1957 Mirza Sahiban

1957 Ram Lakshman

1956 Anuraag (as Uma Devi)

1956 C.I.D. Complainant in police station (as Uma Devi)

1956 Fifty Fifty

1956 Jagte Raho Sati's mother (uncredited)

1956 Pocket Maar Shukal's prospective mother-in-law (uncredited)

1956 Raj Hath

1955 Shree 420 Maya's neighbor (as Uma Devi)

1955 Albeli

1955 Bahu (as Uma Devi)

1955 Hatimtai Ki Beti (as Tum Tum)

1955 Marine Drive Johny's wife (as Uma Devi)

1955 Milap Mrs. Akhrodwala (as Uma)

1955 Mr. & Mrs. '55 Lily D'Silva (as Uma Devi)

1955 Pehli Jhalak Dancer (song "Achchi Surat Huwi") (uncredited)

1955 Uran Khatola Hira's girlfriend (as Tuntun)

1954 Aar-Paar Rustom's mom (uncredited)

1954 Gul Bahar (as Uma Devi)

1953 Baaz A masseuse (uncredited)

1953 Gunah (as Uma Devi)

1951 Deedar Rai' s maidservant (as Uma Devi)

1950 Babul

Death

She died on 23 November 2003 in Andheri, Mumbai,^[9] after a prolonged illness at the age of 80 and is survived by her four children and four grandchildren.