Ashok Kumar, originally named Kumudlal Ganguly, was born on October 13, 1911, into a Hindu Bengali Brahmin family, in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bihar). His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, was a lawyer, and his mother, Gouri Devi, was a homemaker.

• Parents:
  Kunjlal Ganguly (Father)
  Gouri Devi (Mother)
• Siblings:
  Kalyan Kumar Ganguly 
  Kishore Kumar
  Sati Rani Devi
• Spouse:
  Shobha Devi
• Children:
  Aroop Kumar Ganguly 
  Preeti Ganguly
  Bharati Jaffrey 
  Rupa Ganguly
• Relatives:
  Deven Verma (Son-in-law)

Ashok Kumar was educated at the Presidency College of the University of Calcutta in Kolkata, where he initially studied to become a lawyer. 

However, his passion was not in law, and he found himself more drawn to cinema. He dreamed of working in the film industry, with an interest in pursuing a career as a technician.

• Ashok Kumar made his debut in 1936 with Franz Osten's Jeevan Naiya, starring alongside Devika Rani.
• His breakthrough came the same year with another film by Franz Osten, Achhut Kanya (1936), a reformist movie that depicted the love story between a Brahmin boy and a girl from the so-called untouchable class in Indian society.
• After the success of Achhut Kanya, Ashok Kumar delivered a series of hits, with a hat-trick of silver jubilee successes: Kangan (1939), Bandhan (1940), and Jhoola (1941), all featuring Leela Chitnis as his co-star.

• In 1943, Ashok Kumar played the lead role in Kismet, directed by Gyan Mukherjee, opposite Mumtaz Shanti. The film became notable for presenting the main lead as an anti-hero and featuring the theme of an unmarried girl getting pregnant.
• Kismet became the first Indian film to achieve a nett business of ₹10 million (US$120,000) and emerged as a box office sensation, running for a record 184 weeks at Kolkata's Roxy Cinema, a record that still stands.
• The film's music, particularly the patriotic song "Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se" written by Kavi Pradeep, played a significant role in its success.
• Kismet established Ashok Kumar as the first major star of Indian cinema, with his popularity soaring to such heights that, as noted by Manṭo, fans would mob him wherever he went.
• Despite the rise of younger stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor in the 1950s, Ashok Kumar remained a steady box office draw, with notable hits throughout the decade.
• In 1950, Kumar starred in the highest-grossing film of the year, Samadhi, alongside Nalini Jaywant. He also reunited with Jaywant and Gyan Mukherjee for another success, Sangram, where he played an anti-hero.
• In 1951, he starred in Afsana, playing a double role, which was a significant hit, and Deedar, a blockbuster in which he co-starred with Dilip Kumar and Nargis.
• Kumar's 1953 production, Parineeta, directed by Bimal Roy and co-starring Meena Kumari, became a critical and commercial success.
• After a few flops in the mid-1950s, Kumar's career revived with Ek Hi Raasta (1956), a family drama which became a hit, and continued with successes like Bhai-Bhai and Inspector the same year.
• 1958 saw the release of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, a musical comedy featuring his brothers Anoop Kumar and Kishore Kumar. The film became a cult classic and had a successful soundtrack by S. D. Burman, with hit songs like "Babu Samjho Ishaare" and "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si."
• Kumar also starred in the successful Howrah Bridge (1958), which featured popular songs like "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" and "Aaiye Meharban."
• His final major film of the 1950s was Dhool Ka Phool (1959), directed by Yash Chopra. The film opened to critical acclaim and became a blockbuster at the box office.

• In 1968, Kumar starred in Aashirwad, a critical success, earning the National Film Award for Best Actor, Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and BFJA Award for Best Actor (Hindi). The film's song "Rail Gaadi Chhuk Chhuk" is considered the first rap song in Indian cinema.
• He co-starred in the mystery thriller Intaqam (1968), which became a superhit, and made a guest appearance in Aradhana (1969), which catapulted Rajesh Khanna to superstardom.
• Kumar's collaboration with Hrishikesh Mukherjee continued with Satyakam (1969), which was also highly acclaimed and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
• The 1970s saw new stars like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan rise, but Kumar continued to appear in successful films, including Sharafat (1970) and Safar (1970), both superhits.
• He also collaborated with Manoj Kumar on the patriotic blockbuster Purab Aur Paschim (1970).
• In 1972, Kumar starred in Pakeezah, which became a massive blockbuster despite a slow start, marking Meena Kumari’s final film appearance.
• He appeared in Anuraag (1972), a blockbuster, and Victoria No. 203 (1972), which was a superhit, earning a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
• Despite the commercial failure of Maalik and Dil Daulat Duniya (1972), Kumar remained a prominent figure in the industry.

• Kumar played small roles in Dhund (1973) and Prem Nagar (1974).
• In 1975, he had a superhit with Chori Mera Kaam, co-starring Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman, and appeared in Mili with Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, which was critically acclaimed.
• In 1976, Kumar delivered two major hits, Chhoti Si Baat (with a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and Suntan.
• Other successful films of the 1970s included Dream Girl, Anand Ashram, Anurodh, and Dil Aur Deewaar.
• In the early 1980s, he supported four hit films and had success with Maan Gaye Ustaad (1981) and Jyoti (1981).
• Kumar played the lead role in Shaukeen (1982), which was both a commercial and critical success.
• He appeared in Pasand Apni Apni and Dard Ka Rishta (1983), both of which were box office hits.
• In 1984, he made his television debut with the soap opera Hum Log.
• Kumar played supporting roles in Tawaif (1985), a commercial success, and Durgaa (1985), which underperformed at the box office.

• In the late 1980s, Kumar's workload slowed due to declining health.
• In 1986, he played the title role in Bahadur Shah Zafar, a successful television show.
• In 1987, he appeared in Mr. India, a critical and commercial success, followed by hits Watan Ke Rakhwale and Jawab Hum Denge.
• Kumar starred in several films in the late '80s and '90s, including Inteqam (1988), Clerk (1989), Majboor (1990), Begunaah (1991), Humlaa (1992), and Return of Jewel Thief (1996), none of which were successful.
• His TV shows Bheem-Bhavani (1990) and Tehkikaat (1994) found success.
• In 1996, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Kumar retired from acting after appearing in Ankhon Mein Tum Ho (1997), which flopped at the box office.

Ashok Kumar passed away on December 10, 2001, at the age of 90 due to heart failure at his residence in Chembur, Mumbai.

• Ashok Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema.
• He introduced natural acting to Hindi cinema, and his distinctive style remains popular among mimicry artists.
• Kumar had a keen eye for talent, mentoring directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and producing successful films that launched careers, including Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Madhubala.
• He collaborated with filmmakers like Shakti Samanta, helping them achieve success with films like Inspector (1956) and Howrah Bridge (1958).
• Kumar inspired many younger contemporaries, including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor.
• He appeared in Box Office India's "Top Actors" list multiple times (1940-1945, 1949-1950).
• In 2022, he was included in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.