Trivia

He was younger brother of noted writer & film-maker, Bhishm Sahani.

Daughter Sanovar (Sanobar) is a alumnus of the Tata institute of social service's. Her work with prisoners has won acclaim.

Did script writing for Guru Dutt's film 'Baazi' starring Dev Anand & Geeta Bali.

He was extremely well-read and politically conscious person.

His film 'Do Bigha Zameen' became only the second Indian film to win an International Award at Cannes Film Festival in 1953.

Besides, it's a great coincidence that he was born on 1st May - a Labour Day - and he truly happened to work for the betterment of laborers through out his life.

Father of actor Parikshit Sahni.

Born on 1 May 1893.

Brother of writer and actor Bhisham Sahni.

Grand uncle to journalist Malavika Sangghvi . Malavika's maternal grandmother was Balraj's elder sister. Malavika's mother Usha Khanna (Not the music director) opened a famous restaurant in Bombay called Samovar. This restaurant was visited by all film stars over the years. Usha was married to director Rajbans Khanna. Usha's children are Deveika Bhojwani ( a Mumbai theatre actress and socialite) .She is married to Suresh Bhojwani. Their son Karan Bhojwani was once engaged to Lisa Haydon. Usha has a son named Siddharth Khanna. He is based in Dubai.

Great grandfather of director Niharika Sahni. Niharika is the granddaughter of Parikshit Sahni.

Uncle to famous professor Varun Sahni ( Bhisham's son).

Daughter named Sanovar from second wife Santosh.

Honored with 'Padma Shri' by Govt. of India.

Acted in many plays of IPTA.

A gifted writer who wrote 'Mera Pakistani Safar' & 'Mera Rusi Safarnama', which earned him the 'Soviet Land Nehru Award' in 1969. Also contributed many poems and short stories in magazines and also penned his autobiography 'Meri Filmi Aatmakatha'.

Father of noted actor Parikshit Sahani.

A firm believer in No-realism in cinema.

Despite that actor Dev Anand considered Sahni as his idol alongside fellow acting legend Ashok Kumar, Sahni despised Anand and didn't think Anand would ever make it big in Bollywood.

For his contribution to cinematic arts, the Government of India bestowed upon him with its fourth highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, in 1969.

Refused to relenquish his membership of the Communist Party Of India even after the organisation openly sided with the Chinese during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Ironically, he played an Indian Army officer in Chetan Anand's HAQEEQAT(1964) depicting the harsh conditions under which the Indian Army faced China.