Harold Lewis (2 November 1913 – 26 March 1975), known professionally as Majnu, was an Indian actor and director.
He was a frequent collaborator of director Roop K. Shorey and was known for portraying comic sidekicks, sometimes with morally ambiguous traits, in Shorey's films.
Majnu was the grandson of Indian preacher Imad ud-din Lahiz, who had converted from Islam to Christianity. Majnu's family was Punjabi Christian and based in Amritsar. His brother was the badminton player George W. Lewis.
Majnu began his career by co-directing and acting in Shorey's production Unlucky Loves (1929), although the film was not commercially released. He gained widespread recognition for playing the titular role in the comedy Majnu (1935), a parody of Layla and Majnun. The film was a critical and commercial success and inspired him to adopt "Majnu" as his screen name.
Majnu subsequently appeared in both Hindi- and Punjabi-language films, including Himmat (1941), Shalimar (1946), Chaman (1948), Ek Thi Larki (1949), and Ek Do Teen (1953). He also ventured into film direction with Paapi (1943) and went on to direct more than ten films until 1960, including Badnami (1946).
Acting credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1929 Unlucky Loves Also director; did not receive a commercial release 1931 Kismet Ke Here Phere Silent film 1935 Majnu Majnu 1939 Khuni Jadugar 1941 Himmat 1941 Nishani 1945 Din Raat 1946 Badnami Also director 1946 Shalimar 1948 Chaman 1949 Ek Thi Ladki Mohan 194? Do Saudagar 1950 Putli 1951 Sabz Baagh 1951 Dholak 1951 Mukhda 1952 Zamane Ki Hawa 1952 Shrimatiji 1953 Ek Do Teen Hiralal 1955 Jalwa 1955 Shri Naqad Narayan 1956 Hum Sab Chor Hain 1958 Chandu Also director 1959 Bhangra 1959 Madam X. Y. Z. 1960 Return of Mr. Superman 1964 Jagga Bansa 1966 Chaddian Di Doli 1968 Mere Huzoor Train passenger 1971 Haseenon Ka Devata Bhola
Directorial credits Year Title Banner Language Notes Ref. 1929 Unlucky Loves — Silent film co-directed by Roop K. Shorey; did not get a commercial release 1943 Paapi Hindi 1946 Humari Galiyan Shorey Studios Incomplete film being made in Lahore; abandoned due to migration to Bombay 1946 Badnami Punjab Film Corporation 1954 Vanjara Punjabi 1955 Son of Ali Baba Hindi Tatar Ka Chor 1956 Baghi Sardar Basre Ki Hoor Mallika 1957 Muklawa Punjabi 1958 Chandu Chitra Niketan / N. R. Productions Hindi 1960 Pagdi Samhal Jatta Punjabi
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