Saigal (11 April 1904; Jammu – 18 January 1947; Jalandhar), started his film career in Kolkata and later shifted to Mumbai. He was born in Jammu to Tehsildar Amarchand Saigal and Kesarbai Saigal. His father worked at the court of the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. As a child, he took part in religious kirtan singing and played the role of Sita during Ram Leela in Jammu.
As an adult, he was introduced to RC Boral and started working in BN Sircar's film studio New Theatres. Later, he came in contact with contemporaries like KC Dey, Pahari Sanyal and Pankaj Mullick and his career as a singer and actor started taking shape.
Later he shifted to Bombay, where he acted in and sang for hit movies and is still remembered for his style of singing and acting.