Gope (11 April 1913 – 19 March 1957) was an Indian actor of Hindi cinema. Starting his career with a small role in Insaan Ya Shaitaan (1933), directed by Moti Gidwani and produced by Eastern Arts Production, Gope went on to act in over one hundred forty films in a career spanning twenty-four years from 1933 to 1957. Several of his films were released following his death.
Best known for his comedy roles, he is stated to be one of Hindi cinema's "most popular comedians". His acting in comic roles won him "critical and popular acclaim" and he soon became "the leading comedian of his time". His popularity assured him of being mentioned in the credit role of films along with the main cast. He became famous after lip-syncing the popular number "Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon" from Patanga, given playback by C. Ramchandra for Gope and by Shamshad Begum for Nigar Sultana.
He formed a popular comic pairing with Yakub, in the "Laurel-and-Hardy" style, and the producers used them in several films. Their most famous films together were Patanga (1949), followed by Bazar (1949), Beqasoor and Sagai (1951).
Early years Gope was born Gope Bishandas Kamlani, on 11 April 1913, in Hyderabad, Sindh, British India. He was one of nine children. With K. S. Daryani's help, Gope moved to Mumbai and started his acting career in a small role in Insaan Ya Shaitaan (1933), which starred Jaddanbai, Ermeline and the then reigning comedian, Dixit.
Career Gope acted in other memorable roles in films such as Hindustan Hamara, Mirza Sahiban, Patanga and Chori Chori. Gope also tried playing negative roles. In the 1951 Dilip Kumar-Madhubala starrer film Taraana, he teamed up with Jeevan to play the villain's role in comic style. He started Gope Productions in the 1950s, which made films such as Hangama and Biradari. Some of these films were directed by Gope's brother, Ram Kamlani. Gope married actress Latika and continued to act in films until his premature death in 1957 on the set of Kundan Kumar's Teesri Gali, which was eventually released in 1958.
Personal life Gope married actress Latika on 5 February 1949 under the Civil Marriages Act. Latika had earlier acted in the film Gopinath (1948) opposite Raj Kapoor. According to a Filmindia magazine report, "a grand reception was given to the newly wedded couple at the Shree Sound Studios in which many film people participated. There was also a moonlight party later on the Juhu sands." Gope born a Hindu became a Jehovah's Witness. He had two sons with Latika. After his death, his widow Latika relocated to the United Kingdom with their two young sons.
Filmography Gope acted in over one hundred forty films in a career spanning twenty-four years from 1933 to 1957. A partial list: Year Film Cast Director Studio/Producer1933 Insan Ya Shaitan Jaddanbai, Dixit Moti Gidwani Eastern Arts Production1934 Prem Pariksha Jaddanbai, Hari Shivdasani, Rajkumari G. R. Sethi Eastern Arts Production1935 Dharam Ki Devi (Religious Lady, Suhag Ki Raat) Sardar Akhtar, Kumar, Hari Shivdasani, Anant Marathe Hiren Bose Eastern Arts Production1935 Bharat Ki Beti (India's Daughter) Rattan Bai, Gul Hamid, Yasmin, Amirbai Karnataki Premankur Atorthy Eastern Arts Production1936 Pratima (The Idol Of Love, Prem Murti) Sardar Akhtar, Nazir, Omkar Devaskar Ram Daryani Daryani Productions1937 Gentleman Daku (Gentleman Bandit) Leela Chitnis, Yusuf Effendi, Kokila Ram Daryani Daryani Productions1938 Rajkumari (The Princess) Lalita Pawar, Nazir, Ameena, O. K. Dar Dwarka Khosla Krishna Movies1939 Kaun Kisi Ka (Who Belongs To Whom?) Shobhana Samarth, Nazir, Padma Devi, Khurshid, Mubarak, K. N. Singh C. M. Luhar (Chimanlal Muljibhoy Luhar) Hindustan Cinetone1940 Laxmi (Lakshmi) Bibbo, Kumar, Jeevan, Maya Devi Mohan SinhaCirco Productions1940 Hindustan Hamara (Our India) Jamuna Barua, Nandrekar, Padma Devi, Hari Shivdasani Ram Daryani Film Corporation of India1941 Laheri Jeevan (Life Is A Comedy) Husn Banu, Harishchandra Rao, W. M. Khan S. M. Yusuf Harishchandra Pictures 1941 Pyaas (Thirst) Ishwarlal, Sneh Prabha 1942 Society Sitara Devi, Rajkumari Shukal, Nazir, Majid S. Nazir Hind Pics1942 Umar Marvi (Meri Duniya) Mazhar Khan, Kaushalya, Ashiq Hussain, Hari Shivdasani Mazhar Khan National Artists1942 Duniya Ek Tamasha (The World's A Show) Sardar Akhtar, W. M. Khan, Shyam, Urmila Dwarka Khosla Saubhagya Pictures1943 Jhankar Chandra Mohan, Pramila, Kumar, AzurieS. Khalil Silver Films1943 Muskurahat (The Smile) Motilal, Vanmala, Hari Shivdasani, Leela Mishra Dwarka Khosla Saubhagya Pictures1943 Nai Zindagi (Gharonda)Sheikh Mukhtar, Anees Khatoon, Yakub S. Khalil United Films1943 School Master Karan Dewan, Kaushalya, Maya Bannerji, Rajkumari Shukal C. M. Luhar Sun Art Pictures1944 Aaina (Mirror) Trilok Kapoor, Husn Banu, Yakub 1944 Krishna Bhakta Bodana (Krishna Worshipper Bodana) Sheikh Mukhtar, Meera, Ranjit Kumari, Rani Premlata J. B. H. Wadia Wadia Movietone1945 Khiladi E. Billimoria, Agha, Rajkumari A. H. Essa Empire Pictures1945 Bisvi Sadi Motilal, Nargis, Mazhar Khan M. D. Bhavnani (Mohanlal Dayaram Bhavnani) Bhavnani Productions1946 Chalis Karod (Forty Crores) Nirmala Devi, Yakub, Arun, Agha Nanabhai Bhatt Chandra Art1946 Laat Saheb (Big Lord) Latika, Harishchandra Rao, Anees Ktoon, Dalpat K. P. Bhave Harishchandra Pictures 1947 Mirza Sahiban Noorjahan, Trilok Kapoor1947 Dak Bangla (Rest House) Suraiya, Wasti, Kamal Kapoor M. Sadiq Indian National Pictures1948 Ghar Ki Izzat (Honour Of The House) Dilip Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti, Manorama, Jeevan Ram Daryani Murli Movietone1948 Pugree Kamini Kaushal, Wasti, Gope, Dixit, Ram Avatar, Jeevan Anant Thakur All India Pictures1948 Pyar Ki Jeet (Love's Victory) Suraiya, Rehman, Raj Mehra, Manorama, Leela Mishra O. P. Dutta Famous Pictures1949 Patanga (The Moth) Nigar Sultana,Khairati,Shyam, Yakub, Purnima, Randhir H. S. Rawail Varma Films1949 Bazaar Shyam, Nigar Sultana, Yakub, Cuckoo K. Amarnath K. Amarnath 1950 Bhai Bahen Geeta Bali, Nirupa Roy, Prem Adib, Bharat Bhushan Ram Daryani Krishna Movies1950 Beqasoor Madhubala, Ajit, Yakub K. Amarnath Madhukar Pictures1950Hanste AansooMadhubala, Motilal, Manorama1950 Anmol Ratan (Rare Jewel) Karan Dewan, Meena Shorey, Nirmala, Madan Puri M. Sadiq Jaimini Dewan for Dewan Productions1951 Tarana (Tune) Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Shyama, Jeevan Ram Daryani K. S. Daryani1951 Sazaa Dev Anand, Shyama, Nimmi, Durga Khote Fali Mistry G. P. Productions1951 Nagina (The Jewel) Nutan, Nasir Khan, Bipin Gupta Ravindra Dave Pancholi Productions1951 Sagai (The Engagement) Rehana, Premnath, Yakub H. S. Rawail Varma Films1951 Sanam (Beloved) Suraiya, Dev Anand, Meena Kumari, K. N. Singh Nandlal Jaswantlal United Technicians1956 Chori Chori (The Theft) Raj Kapoor Nargis Anant Thakur L.B. Lachman1958 Teesri Gali, Gope died on the movie set Pram Adib Abhi Bhattacharya Shyama Mohan Choti Kundan Kumar Radiant Movies
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