Edited By: Manek Premchand

The meteoric rise — followed by the sudden death — of Shyam, one of Hindi Cinema’s finest actors in mid-20th century, is the kind of stuff that usually belongs to the world of fiction. Had he lived longer, Shyam would have joined the illustrious company of popular actors such as Ashok Kumar, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor.
Shyam — A Star Forgotten is an effort to chronicle the life and times of the remarkable artist. His story needs to be told, and who better to tell it than his nephew Bimal Chadha, for whom this was a labour of love running into decades.
The richly illustrated book features rare and unseen pictures of Shyam from his youth and college days, family photos and photos with his wife and daughter, posters and film stills. It also has his filmography.
Born on February 21, 1946, in Rawalpindi, Undivided India, Bimal Chadha’s formative years unfolded across diverse Indian locations due to his father’s army postings.
His successful marketing career included notable roles at media giants like Times of India, India Today, and Indian Express. His intuitive understanding of people and their needs propelled him to excel in the field. He was recognised as a leader in his domain and received numerous awards and accolades. His influence extended to teaching at the Times School of Marketing, where his insights enriched budding marketing professionals.
Beyond the corporate world, Bimal was an ardent lover of the arts. His passion for old films, Urdu, English, and Hindi literature showcased his multifaceted personality. He was not just a man of knowledge but a living encyclopaedia for his friends. His open-door policy, extensive knowledge, and unyielding friendships were legendary. Bimal epitomized the philosophy of being a good human first, transcending the barriers of religion and faith. He was the torchbearer for family values, putting his family first, no matter the circumstances.
An empathetic soul, multilingual, and grounded, he connected with people at their grassroots, embodying compassion and genuine humanity. He dedicated his time to writing his dream book post-retirement, focusing on his uncle Shyam, an erstwhile Bollywood actor of the 40s, a decade-long endeavour. The book was incomplete at the time of his death.
Despite his demise on February 3, 2022, Bimal’s legacy lives on through meaningful friendships, diverse passions, and unwavering commitment to family values.







