Uma Devi Khatri - Playback singer & Actress (Hindi).

VIDEO: बॉलीवुड की टुनटुन अदाकारा की दर्दनाक कहानी|| tun tun comedy| uma devi Tun Tun Biography

================================================================================================

Monday 19, January 2026, 20:30.

Uma Devi Khatri (11 July 1923 – 24 November 2003), popularly known by her screen name Tun Tun, was an Indian playback singer and actress-comedian. She is often referred to as "Hindi cinema's first-ever comedienne".

Childhood:

Uma was born on 1923 in a small village near Amroha District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Her parents and brother were murdered for land arrogate. Just two days before her demise, she had been interviewed by film critic and historian Shishir Krishna Sharma. She said, "I don't remember who my parents were and how they looked, I would be two to two and half years when they passed away, I had a brother eight or nine years old whose name was Hari, I just remembered that we were living in a village named Alipur. One day brother was killed and left for maid servant to relatives in exchange for two times meal, that time I was four or five years old".

VIDEO: DD Morning Show | TUN TUN | Uma Devi Khatri | 1st Female Comedian in Indian Cinema | 11th July 2024

Uma Devi's childhood was marked by poverty. She later met Akhtar Abbas Kazi, an Excise Duty Inspector, who helped and inspired her. At the time of the India-Pakistan partition, Kazi moved to Lahore, Pakistan. She was fed up with the circumstances of the time and she moved to Bombay to pursue singing in movies. Kazi also eventually moved to Bombay, where they got married in 1947.

Career:

VIDEO: अफ़साना लिख रही हूँ दिले बेकरार का_Dard1947 MunawarSultana& Shyam_ UmaDevi_ Shakeel_Naushad_a tribute.

She arrived in Bombay (Mumbai) at the age of 23, 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). She soon signed a contract with the producer-director A.R. Kardar, who used Naushad as music director, and went on to make a place for herself amidst music stalwarts like Noor Jehan, Rajkumari, Khursheed Bano and Zohrabai Ambalewali.

VIDEO: The Journey from Uma Devi To Tun Tun | Tabassum Talkies

In 1947, she had huge hits with "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-Beqarar Ka", "Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Kar" and "Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Se Jhoom", which she sang for actress Munawar Sultana in A.R. Kardar's 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. In fact, a gentleman from Delhi was so enamoured by her song "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon", that he 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.

VIDEO: Tun Tun Family With Parents, Husband, Daughter, Son, Career and Biography

The success of Dard meant that she next received Mehboob Khan's Anokhi Ada (1948), which again had two hit numbers, "Kahe Jiya Dole" and "Dil Ko Lagake Humne Kuch Bhi Na Paya". This brought her into the league of highly rated playback singers. She reached her peak as a vocalist in director S.S. Vasan's Chandralekha (1948) made by Gemini Studios, Madras. Her seven songs, which include hits such as "Saanjh Ki Bela" remain her most accomplished work in her singing career, though signing for the film also meant a breach of contract with producer-director Kardar, which led to her dwindling fortunes in the industry.

VIDEO:Dil Wale.. Uma Devi (Tun Tun)

Moreover, in the following years, owing to her older style of singing and limited vocal range, she found it difficult to compete with the rising singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Suman Kalyanpur etc. Eventually Naushad suggested that she take up acting, because she had a very bubbly personality and wonderful comic timing. She was inspired and awestruck by Dilip Kumar and had a wish, maintaining it stubbornly that in her first film, she would act alongside him. Knowing about this crazy love for Dilip Kumar, Naushad asked Dilip Kumar, who was his friend, 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 "Tun Tun" to suit her comic persona,[3] the name stayed with her, and a comedic legend was born.

VIDEO: उमा देवी के गाने | Uma Devi Songs | Old Hindi Songs | Tun Tun | ‪@alltimehitsongs3861‬

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

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

Owing to her popularity, the name Tun Tun has become synonymous with obese women in India.

Death:

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

Filmography:

Year Title Role Notes

1990 Kasam Dhande Ki Prema

1989 Shehzaade Hitler's Bride

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 Shorgul

1984 Kamla

1984 Raja Aur Rana Havaldar's wife as Tuntun

1984 Unchi Uraan

1983 Coolie Mother of 7 babies

1983 Haadsa Ladies Health Club Member

1983 Painter Babu Koyal

1982 Heeron Ka Chor

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 aboard 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 mother

1980 Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki

1980 Yari Dushmani

1979 Baton Baton Mein Imaginary Nancy's mother

1979 Sarkari Mehmaan Bank employee

1979 Lok Parlok Sundari

1978 Dil Aur Deewar Madame

1978 Phandebaaz

1978 Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se Fat lady in the theatre

1978 Nasbandi Tonica

1978 Ankh Ka Tara

1978 Heeralal Pannalal

1978 Premi Gangaram Punjabi movie as Dano

1978 Satyam Shivam Sundaram Fat Lady

1977 Pandit Aur Pathan Champakali

1977 Aap Ki Khatir Dancer/Singer

1977 Kabita

1977 Tyaag

1977 Agar... If Champakali (Agarwal housemaid)

1977 Amaanat Referee

1977 Chacha Bhatija Kesto's bride

1977 Do Sholay Guest Appearance

1977 Gayatri Mahima

1977 Paapi Laila

1977 Taxi Taxie Mother of 9 children

1977 Aafat

1976 Vir Mangdavalo Gujarati film

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 mother as Tun-Tun

1975 Stree Purush

1974 Amir Garib Governess

1974 Naya Din Nai Raat Mental Patient

1974 Dil Diwana

1974 Hamrahi

1974 Maa Bahen Aur Biwi

1974 My Friend

1974 Sacha Mera Roop Hai

1974 Shaitaan Meena Advani

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 Punjabi

1972 Mome Ki Gudiya Daisy's mother

1972 Sabse Bada Sukh

1972 Samadhi Kalavati

1971 Hungama Jagdeep's Mother

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 The Train Guest Appearance

1970 Aansoo Aur Muskan Bhagwanti

1970 Ehsan Mrs. Chaturmukh

1970 Geet Champavati 'Champa'

1970 Himmat Tiger's mother

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 Lady at the Massage Parlour

1969 Talash Kamini

1968 Duniya Chabeeli uncredited

1968 Aabroo Whisky Rani

1968 Abhilasha Fat Lady song "Yaaron Hamara Kya"

1968 Baharon Ki Manzil Glory D'Silva

1968 Dil Aur Mohabbat

1968 Khiladi_ Geeta Maria "Miss Beauty"

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 Di Kuri Punjabi

1967 Aag Phoolmati

1967 Badrinath Yatra Maid at brothel

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

1967 Dil Ne Pukara Kamla

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

1966 Alibaba Aur 40 Chor

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 Main Jatti Punjab Di Taro Punjabi Movie

1964 Cha Cha Cha Mohan's Mother

1964 Rajkumar Champakali

1964 Aaya Toofan Maha Dasi

1964 Darasingh: Ironman Rangili's mother

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

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 Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo\ Bhojpuri Film

1963 Ustadon Ke Ustad Hostess of Qawwali contest

1963 Punjabi movie|

1963 Pind Di Kurhi | |

1962 China Town | | Mahakali

1962 Dilli Ka Thug

1962 Half Ticket Real Munna's Mother

1962 Jhoola Mother

1962 Professor Phool Rani

1962 Son of India Gopal's foster mother

1962 Umeed

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

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

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 Aakhri Dao Muthuswami's Daughter

1958 Aji Bas Shukriya

1958 Lajwanti Tun Tun uncredited

1958 Malik

1958 Criminal Lajwanti 'Lajo'

1958 Phir Subah 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

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

1956 Fifty Fifty

1956 Jagte Raho Sati's mother uncredited

1956 Pocketmaar Shukal's prospective mother-in-law uncredited

1956 Raj Hath

1956 Kismet Ka Khel as Uma Devi

1955 Shree 420 Maya's neighbour as Uma Devi

1955 Albeli

1955 Bahu

1955 Hatimtai Ki Beti

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

1955 Milap Mrs. Akhrodwala

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

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

1955 Uran Khatola Hira's girlfriend as Tuntun

1954 Aar-Paar Rustom's mother

1954 Gul Bahar as Uma Devi

1953 Baaz A masseuse

1953 Gunah

1952 Amber Chorus singer/dancer

1951 Deedar Rai' s maidservant as Uma Devi

1951 Dholak Aaya as Uma Devi

1950 Babul

Songs:

Year Film Song Composer Writer(s) Co-artist(s)

1947

Dard "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon" Naushad Shakeel Badayuni

"Aaj Machi Hai Dhum"

"Yeh Kaun Chala Yeh Kaun Shala"

"Betaab Hai Dil Dard-E-Mohabbat Ke Asar Se" Suraiya

1949

Dillagi "De Dhil De Dhil O Ree Sakhi" Naushad Shakeel Badayuni Shamshad Begum

*****

=================================================================================================