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Actors

David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1908

Age73 Years

BirthplaceThane, Bombay Presidency, British India (Present-day Maharashtra, India)

ProfessionActor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Abraham; Mother - Dinah Cheulkar; Brothers - Shalome Abraham Cheulkar, Daniel Abraham Cheulkar

David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor) Biography

David Abraham Cheulkar was an Indian character actor celebrated for his comic roles in more than 100 films. A recipient of the Padma Shri and a Filmfare®️-

Early life and background

David Abraham Cheulkar was born in 1908 in Thane, then part of the Bombay Presidency under British India. He grew up in a family with both Jewish and Marathi roots. His father Abraham died while David was young, and his older brothers took an active role in raising him. His mother Dinah lived to an advanced age. David was educated in Mumbai, attending St. Joseph’s School and later studying at Wilson College and Government Law College, where he completed a BA and an LLB.

Career

Cheulkar began performing as a child, acting in plays and local productions. After several years of unsuccessful attempts to find steady work, he joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), which furthered his involvement with stage and film. His screen debut came in the 1937 film Zambo - The Ape Man after an introduction to producer-director M. Bhavnani.

Across a career spanning decades, Cheulkar became known as a dependable character actor, especially in comic roles. He appeared in more than 100 Hindi films, earning widespread recognition for his portrayal of amiable, kindly figures. One of his most enduring screen personas was the gentle guardian in Boot Polish (1954), a part that brought him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. He continued to work steadily into later decades, with notable performances in films such as Chupke Chupke (1975), Baton Baton Mein (1979), and Gol Maal (1979).

Honours and public roles

In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema, Cheulkar was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969. Beyond film, he served as a familiar compère at industry events, including Filmfare ceremonies. He was also active in sports administration: for fifty years he was president of the Maharashtra Weightlifting Federation and for thirty-five years he served as vice-president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation. He represented India at multiple Olympic Games, attending the Games in Helsinki (1952), Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964), Mexico City (1968) and Munich (1972).

Public profile

Cheulkar was widely liked for his warm screen presence and public speaking. He maintained a long association with the Cricket Club of India at Churchgate, where he held lifetime membership and even had a dedicated corner. His visibility at public events and his recurring work as a compère made him a familiar figure beyond film audiences.

Personal life

David Abraham Cheulkar remained unmarried. He had two brothers, Shalome Abraham Cheulkar, who served as a headmaster at Jacob Sassoon School in Mumbai, and Daniel Abraham Cheulkar, who practiced as a doctor. A sports enthusiast, Cheulkar enjoyed bodybuilding and was vocal about the separation of politics and sport, advocating sporting values in public life.

Later years and death

In 1970 he moved to Hamilton, Canada, where he lived with his nephew Victor and niece Diana. He died of a heart attack on 2 January 1982 in Toronto. He was 73 years old and was buried at the Beth Jacob synagogue cemetery. His gravestone bears a personal inscription reflecting the blend of humor and pathos that marked his public persona.

Latest updates

Although Cheulkar’s filmmaking career dates back to the 1930s, his work continued to be seen and appreciated through later decades, including films released in the 1970s. His last listed film appearance is Door Desh (1986), and his legacy includes a long run of comic character roles and service to sporting organizations in India.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Gol Maal

Played a comic role in the 1979 film Gol Maal.

1979
Baton Baton Mein

Featured in the 1979 film, contributing a comic performance.

1979
Chupke Chupke

Acted in the 1975 comedy Chupke Chupke.

1975
Boot Polish

Portrayed the popular character 'John Chacha' in the 1954 film, earning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.

1954
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut film: Zambo - The Ape Man (1937)
  2. Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Boot Polish (1955)
  3. Recipient of the Padma Shri (1969)
  4. President of the Maharashtra Weightlifting Federation (50 years)
  5. Vice-president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (35 years)
  6. Represented India at multiple Olympic Games (1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor) born?

1908

What is David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor) known for?

Actor

What is David Abraham Cheulkar (Actor)’s marital status?

Unmarried