Abhaji Palav Bhagwan or simply Bhagwan was born in the year 1913, August 1st. He was particularly popular with the masses as they could easily identify with his roles. Born in Mumbai, Bhagwan was the son of a mill worker. Bhagwan joined films in the silent era with his long-term partner, Chandrarao Kadam. His debut film was Bewafa Aashiq.

Bhagwan's first films were stunt films directed by G.P. Pawar. He co-directed his first feature film, Bahadur Kisan, with Pawar in 1938 before becoming a producer with Jagriti Pictures and Bhagwan Art Productions. He became the owner of Jagriti Studios in 1947. Bhagwan reached the pinnacle of his career with Albela. In this film he played the role of a simpleton. His dance number, 'Shola Jo Bhadke' became a rage. The dance style he created was followed by many stars after him, including Amitabh Bachchan. From 1938 to 1949 he had directed low budget stunt and action films.

In 1951 he turned producer with Jagriti Pics and Bhagwan Arts Production. He made a social film called Albela starring Bhagwan and Geeta Bali. Despite his unquestionable talent, Bhagwan was relegated to playing cameo roles as comedian and dancer from the early 1970s.

Bhagwan failed to deliver any more hits and eventually gave up producing and directing films. He had to sell his bungalow and cars. He did whatever roles he got but apart from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje and Chori Chori, none were noticed. Bhagwan died in the year 2002 at the age of 89.

Some of his films are mentioned below:

Maahirr	Shareef Budmaash	Do Premee
Mera Damad	Do Chor	Darwaza
Yuhi Kabhi	Ehsan	Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki
Numbri Aadmi	Sher Dil	Jhoota Kahin Ka
Khatarnaak	Duniya Na Mane	Vishwasghaat
Swarg	Sapne Suhane	Sangram
Kranti	Bhabhi	Chhalia
Naseeb	Biwi Ho To Aisi	Faraar
Kaamchor	Ganga Tere Desh Mein	Aan Baan
Jazbaat	Deewana Tere Naam Ka	Kathputli
Kasme Vaade	Mohabbat Ki Kasam	Gunehgar
Heera-Moti	Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein	Tower House
Tarana	Lover Boy	Trolley Driver
Chor Sipahee	Kali Basti	Chacha Zindabad
Agent Vinod	Sahhas	Mr. Lambu
Apradhi	Bombay 405 Miles	Sunny
Kala Sona	Sanam Teri Kasam	Jhutha Sach
Banarasi Babu	Phir Wohi Raat	Shapath
Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara	Phandebaaz	Dard-E-Dil
Aag Aur Daag	College Girl	Nastik
Ladka Ladki	Shikshaa	Badle Ki Aag
Forty Days	Chacha Bhatija	Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon
Stree	Saheb Bahadur	Professor Pyarelal
Ustad	Resham Ki Dori	Aasha
Na-Insaafi	Rafoo Chakkar	Biwi-O-Biwi
Maine Pyar Kiya	Tangewala	Nazrana Pyar Ka
Touhean	Mera Gaon Mera Desh	Mukti
Gair Kaanooni	Intaquam	Toote Khilone
Farz Ki Jung	Rustom-E-Baghdad	Jaan-E-Bahaar
Zalzala	O Tera Kya Kahna	Khel Khilari Ka
Main Tere Liye	Mohar	Mazaaq
Katilon Ke Kaatil	Gateway of India	Kuchhe Dhaage
Chambal Ki Kasam	Alag Alag	Balak Dhruv
Sun Sajna	Ramkali	Raaste Kaa Patthar
Pyaara Dushman	Patthar Dil	Saaz Aur Sanam
Azaad	Bhiku	Duniya Nachegi
Prem Bandhan	Bindiya Chamkegi	Pathan
Ahimsa	Love Marriage	Dulhan
Chakkar Pe Chakkar	Yeh Desh	Kangan
Jay Vejay	Saajan Ki Saheli	Chori Chori
Imaan	Yeh Kaisa Insaaf	Teesri Aankh
Jaggu	Dharam Kanta	-