OTT is bringing us closer to the world of entertainment & we have easy access to some of the best films made in India and Internationally. Watching Indian classics at your own convenience, without depending on particular timings is the best part of this platform. Recently, I have binged on many Hindi films back to back and the wave of nostalgia that engulfed me left me craving to return to cinema halls. Like many cinema-lovers, watching films while seated in a hall, unaware of the storyline or the line of actors who are part of the film, and also participating by providing appropriate responses while the story advances was a part of our childhood in the 80s. We didn’t have access to the information of what was happening behind the scenes; we just purchased film magazines & newspapers and relied on the articles published and the wait ended in the theatres. We didn’t have any other option but to wait and wait till that Friday arrived which would bring us closer to our favourite stars & the films.
In our times, we were not only attached with the Superstars but also with the “Side Actors & Actresses” (there was no other term for them as “Character/Supporting Actors status arrived much later) whose entry on screen indicated the shift in the story or another twist in the plot. Some of these artists gathered accolades (whistles & hooting) while the others ended up leaving the audience in tears (Nirupa Roy) like every other time. Their contribution in the success of the film can never be denied and even though they did not have the specific category announced in their names before 90s at the award shows, the Side Actors were loved and appreciated as much as a leading Star. Relegated to the fringes of stardom in Bollywood, these character actors slipped into diverse avatars rather effortlessly without any distinctive identity. While the term ‘character actor’ doesn’t do justice to the likes of Motilal, Nadira, Nirupa Roy, Balraj Sahni, Pran, Mehmood, Aruna Irani, Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher or Boman Irani — for the simple reason that their prowess far surpasses the limits imposed by the tag — it nonetheless persist in popular Hindi cinema.
Aruna Irani’s success in Beta is majorly responsible fort re-creating the roles of Character Actors in films. The roles got meatier & substantially author backed and actresses like Farida Jalal, Reema Lagoo & Aruna Irani got their due on-screen. Theatre actors like Dilip Tahil and other actors like Anu Kapoor got lengthier roles too. Previously the characters appeared for a few sequences but now their roles were merged within the screenplay & the tag of “Side Artist” was removed; a new term appeared and they are called ‘Supporting Actors” today. Inspite of this revolution, you can not deny the contribution & steal the show from certain known faces who don’t have a lengthy part in the film but appear briefly (Maanvi Gagroo as Goggle Tripathi in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan).
It took me a while to walk down the memory lane in order to remember all of them and the flashbacks reminded me of their exemplary work. It wouldn’t be wrong to mention that some of the character roles have been immensely popular and are remembered till date after decades. I present the list of the “Superstar Side Actors/Actresses” of Bollywood without whom our favourite films wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable as they are even after repeated viewership. Just in a random order…
Leela Mishra
Hindi cinema’s beloved mausi (clad in white in most of her roles) was the eternal mother figure, long-suffering and un-formidable but always dignity personified. She worked from the days of Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan. During reruns of old movies (Awaara, Pyaasa, Ram Aur Shyam, Sholay etc) you can still catch her providing the warm and comforting maternal support apart from being the sarcastic lady who wouldn’t miss a chance to taunt or add fuel to fire in a tense situation. She was loved as the hidebound Bandra lady who plonks herself into the Pereira family in Baton Baton Mein which was a different image provided to her after she was epitomised as MAUSI in Sholay.
Rajendra Nath
Rajendra Nath was to Shammi Kapoor what Prem Nath was to Raj Kapoor. He was a perfect ally to Shammi’s flamboyant and over-the-top lover-boy image in his films. With foolish expressions, jaunty walk, outlandish costumes, use of English words, raising his bushy eyebrows frequently, he brought the house down with his impeccable comic timing and trademark quirks. His unique style made him stand apart as a lovable, innocent and sweet person always up to mischief. Whether playing Popatlal, Vilayatram or Pyaare, he was the beloved buffoon who made his presence felt in all sorts of madcap manner.
Lalita pawar
Long typecast as the evil mother-in-law, Lalita Pawar’s career spanned for more than 600 films. She mostly played the roles of a mean, domineering character but to call Lalita Pawar just that would be a disservice to her enormous talent. She had small but remarkably pivotal roles in Anari and Shree 420 as a loving elderly woman but her popular image remains as Hindi cinema’s stern and scheming saasu-maa. But whenever she shifted to positive roles, it worked wonders …her role as the strict but caring nurse in Anand who tries (in vain) to discipline the fun-loving title protagonist is one of her finest.
Iftekhar
The stylish Iftekhar, Bollywood’s Oldest Cop who usually appeared as the commissioner, was one of the most regular face on screen in action films. He was also known for occasionally playing villains but has been living in our memories as DCP D’Silva, who said “Bhaagne ki koshish mat karna. Humne tumhe chaaron taraf se gher liya hai. Bhalaai isi mein hai ke tum apne aap ko kanoon ke hawaale kar do.” from DON.
Tuntun (Uma Devi)
Hindi Cinema has had only a handful of comedians who could effortlessly make the audience laugh. Their appearance on screen itself used to induce laughter into the inner core of the viewer. Tuntun is one of the favourites and “Hindi cinema’s first-ever comedienne”. Her name has been synonymous in Bollywood with the idea of a smart, quick witted actress known for her tomfoolery on screen. Uma Khatri Devi was named Tuntun by Dilip Kumar . Uma Khatri Devi has inspired many female comedians in Bollywood today to embrace their character and comedic timing and pave a way for themselves in an industry that expects female actresses to be slim, fair and poised leaving little space for them to explore the multi-faceted areas of cinema.
Keshto Mukherjee
Extremely popular for his comic drunk roles, he was Hindi cinema’s most competent comedians. It will be a research work to trace if any lyricist has ever composed a lyric on the name of a comedian. It was Dharmendra who took initiative, and a song was picturized on Keshto (Keshto chala…) in Chacha Bhatija. What was common across his films was his ability to portray each character in an effortlessly, hilarious manner. Perhaps that was what convinced an entire generation that he was a drunk for real, when in fact, he never consumed alcohol.
Dulari
She played big and small roles in almost 135 films, including Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai , Mujhe Jeene Do , Teesri Kasam, Deewar, Prem rog and Agar Tum Naa Hote . Her last film was Ziddi (1997). She was mostly known for portraying character roles of the Indian mother and she was referred to as the mother of Hindi cinema, a title that she acknowledged with other actresses like Durga Khote, Sulochna & Nirupa Roy.
D.K. Sapru
Daya Kishan Sapru or Sapru was a popular character artist from 1940’s till 1970’s. His debut film was (marathi) RamShastri(1944).He then moved over to hindi films and played various roles such as Judge , Police Commissioner and Zamindar. His role in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is still remembered by film lovers as he portrayed the role of the menacing Zamindar – Majhle Sarkar, the head of the haveli. Speaking very few lines but relying more on his intimidating presence. he was among Bollywood’s most popular character artists.
Gita Siddharth
She acted in mainstream Bollywood as well as art house cinema, like Parichay, Garam Hawa, and Gaman. She was a familiar face on the Bollywood screen of the 70sand 80s, featuring in films such as Sholay, Trishul, Disco Dancer, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Noorie, Dance Dance, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, Shaukeen, Arth, Mandi, and Doosra Aadmi.
Roopesh Kumar
Abbas Farashahi (Roopesh Kumar) is widely remembered for his comic negative roles in the films like Seeta aur Geeta and The Great Gambler. He was the cousin of actress Mumtaz and they worked together in many movies like Naagin, Tarzan & King Kong.
Om prakash
He was a class-apart and counted amongst the most prominent character actors who had a slightly bigger role. One of Bollywood’s originals, Om Prakash was truly a household name. He’s the old codger from Padosan, with eyes set on the dainty Saira Banu; he’s Amitabh Bachchan’s Daddu from Namak Halaal; god-fearing drink enjoying Catholic rail engine driver in Julie . He created the image of the loving elder that he would later perfect in Prakash Mehra’s Namak Halaal . And he’s everyone’s favourite jijaji who becomes the butt of jokes, a victim of a harmless prank that forces him to eat humble pie in Chupke Chupke. His fabulous image is etched in movie-goers’ memory. He broke the mould of a character artist and for more than 4 decades appeared in some of the power-packed performances where he even posed a threat to the superstars by overshadowing them.
I.S Johar
Very few people know that the comical, the witty and the satirical Johar appeared in international films such as Harry Black(1958), North West frontier (1959),Lawrence of Arabia(1962) and Death in the Nile(1978), besides acting in Maya (1967), a US TV series. He also starred in films with his own surname in the title such as Mera Naam Johar, Johar in Kashmir and Johar in Bombay. A movie with the talented Johar was a guarantee of easy laughs and he continued to entertain the public with his sarcastic jibes at current situations in his parallel roles.
Bela Bose
In her earlier projects, her primary status in films was as a group dancer, gradually moving on to solo performances and finally to acting roles; she was recognized for her Club Dances and Vampish roles majorly. Some of her noteworthy appearances were for films like Hawa Mahal , Professor, Bandini, Ziddi , and Chitralekha.
Jagdish Raj
Actors in bollywood got typecast into roles that audience liked them as… Jagdish Raj holds the Guiness World Record for playing a cop in 144 films. Jagdish kickstarted his film career in the year 1955 with the film Seema wherein he enacted the role of a doctor. The 1956 flick CID was the first film where Jagdish played the role of a cop and carried on his successful journey acting along with his daughter Anita Raj in films like Jaan Ki Baazi & Mera Haque.
Manorama
The portly woman with exaggerated eyelashes and expressions was popularly known for roles like the wicked aunt in Seeta Aur Geeta, Ek Phool Do Maali and Do Kaliyan. Born Erin Issac Daniel to an Irish mother and an Indian Christian father in Lahore, the actress was given the name Manorama after she played a character by that name in the 1941 film, Khazanchi. She often played a tyrannical aunt or mother with a frown for a face and an angry rant up her sleeve.
Shetty
Muddu Babu Shetty or M. B. Shetty, simply known as Shetty was a renowned stuntman and action choreographer(Fight Master) and actor in 1970s. He had a towering personality with a bald head, often cast as the villain brought down by heroes half his size. He was an action director, doing over 700 films, including cult films like Don, The Great Gambler, Trishul etc. He hardly spoke but was widely popular especially amongst children.
Pratima Devi
Pratima Devi was one of the oldest and most respected actresses in Bollywood. She has mostly be seen in the role of a mother and grandmother. Some of the old movies of Bollywood which were a blockbuster are graced with her presence; movies like Bemisal, Pukar, Zalim, and Bhim Garjana had her in a significant role while she was a part of Epics like Pakeezah, Amar Akbar Anthony, Seeta aur Geeta, sahib Biwi aur ghulam, Kagaz ke Phool, Devdas.
Manmohan Krishna
The simpleton character artist who surprised the audience with the depth of his range was a common face in films. By his own admission, he liked playing roles that differed from who he was in real life. The sophisticated villain in Apna Desh, the eccentric guru in Basant Bahar, the one-eyed villain in Sadhna and the murderer in Bees Saal Baad…. he played a variety of roles before his image of a sharif man was settled on screen. He won a FF for his role as Abdul Rasheed in Dhool Ka Phool and went on to act in most of the “Chopra” (B.R & Yash) films. As a supporting actor, he was part of over 250 films, which included blockbuster movies like ‘Naya Daur’, ‘Sadhana’, ‘Waqt’ ‘Hamraaz’ and ‘Deewar’. He went on to direct the 1980 film ‘Noorie’, which catapulted Poonam Dhillon to stardom.
Mumtaz Begum
Mumtaz Begum was a yesteryear Indian actress who was a very prominent face in many Hindi movies as a character artiste. She received fame and popularity with many popular films such as Dahej, Arjoo, Jagriti, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, etc. When she made her debut in Dahej, she got to play a heroine role with Prithviraj Kapoor which was a V Shantaram film and a social drama based on the dowry system. In her next film ‘Deewana’, she got a chance to play supporting role with Suraiya.
A.K. Hangal
AK Hangal Was B-Town’s Very Own ‘Grand Old Man’. He has been the eternal old man, a man who was born to be old and remained so, in India’s collective consciousness. In most of his roles he was the good old man, the man who could do no harm, and everybody could rely on him for a sympathetic meal of niceness. Hangal was one of the most endearing old men of the film industry with roles in Sholay, Namak Haram and Shaukeen. His one-liner from Sholay, ‘Itna sannata kyon hain bhai’, achieved cult status.
Murad
Murad was a veteran Character actor who appeared in more than 100 hindi films from the early 1940s through to the end of the 1980s playing character roles of a father, police officer, judge and an emperor. He was known for his Powerful voice, a legacy his son Raza Murad carried forward.
Nazima
Cine-lovers who are familiar with the cinema of the late-sixties and early-seventies would easily recollect her sweet and innocent face with those lovely big expressive eyes and the charming smile which characterized this talented actress. She had gained popularity as the quintessential ‘sister’ of the hero or the heroine and had a pleasing screen presence. Popular for Arzoo & Beimaan. Songs picturised on her include “Ae Kash Kisi Deewane Ko” from Aaye Din Bahar Ke and “Hum behanon ke Liye” from the 1969 film Anjaana.
Johny Walker
Guru Dutt created special situations in his films to give the Comedy King his own breezy song. His roles as a booze-head, petty thief or hero’s best friend, made him immensely popular with the masses. His unforgettable role of Abdul Sattar ( Sir jo tera chakraye song) in Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyasa’ redefined the role of sidekicks in Hindi movies. He served in BEST for several years entertaining his passengers with antics that would send them into splits of laughter before moving on to big screen. His whacky body language added to his drunken image helped him won accolades and he remains India’s Favourite Drunk-Comedian.
Kamal Kapoor
This extremely handsome & blue-eyed actor was Prithviraj Kapoor’s cousin who started off as a Hero but switched on to playing character roles. He is remembered as the suave villain from Don (Narang) & Jab Jab Phool Khile, the flamboyant Nawab in Pakeezah, the evil General Dyer in Mard besides many other remarkable roles.
Pinchoo Kapoor
This veteran actor appeared in numerous roles in the 70s & 80s, basically as a strict & rich father. His bulky screen presence & unique name along with a spontaneous dialogue delivery made his roles memorable in Souten, Karz, Khandaan, Don etc.
Om Shiv Puri
This NSD graduate was an extremely gifted actor and it is hard to express his legacy in a few lines. Along with his wife, Sudha Shivpuri (Ba from KSBKBT serial) he carved a niche for himself in the world of theatre and acted in over 175 films. His resonant voice as Vardhan from Don along with many other chilling performances that he gave are etched in our minds.
Yunus Parvez
He had a peculiar “Lehza” with which he entertained us for more than 4 decades. One of the underrated actors, his career took off as Rahim Chacha in Deewar and he worked till Bunty Aur Babli.
Jayshree T
One of the iconic “Item Dancers” of Bollywood after Helen, Jayshree T got a foothold in the industry at a very young age as a child artist and has done more than 500 films (some vampish roles as well). She was last seen in Hum Sath Sath Hain & Chalte Chalte and has been entertaining us for countless years.
Raam Sethi
He has worked as an actor/writer/director for many movies in the last 46 years. Along with these skills, he also worked as an assistant director, screenplay writer, dialogue writer; and independently directed Ghungroo. He appeared in comical roles with Amitabh Bachchan in several films (Sethi’s most notable appearances along with Bachchan include Namak Halaal & Kaalia).
Ramayan Tiwari & Bhushan Tiwari (father & son known as Tiwari)
Ramayan Tiwari was a Bollywood actor who was more famous by his surname Tiwari. He worked in approximately 125 movies in his 36 year long film career. He has worked in Bollywood movies like Madhumati, Yahudi, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti hai and many more.
Bhushan Tiwari: The man with menacing looks played the villain’s henchman in numerous flicks from 60s through to the 90s. Some of his notable films include Zanjeer, Parvarish and Kunwara Baap among many others. He played villains henchman in Zanjeer, Parvarish & was last seen in Tammana (1998).
Both were known as Tiwari in most of their films.
Nazir Hussain
He was famous as a character actor in Hindi Cinema and acted in almost 500 films. Dev Anand starred in a large proportion of the films he acted in. He was a part of other Super Hit Films like Parineeta, Naya Daur, Kati Patang, Sharmeeli etc.
Shobha Khote
She mostly starred opposite Mehmood and the pair became hit in Sasural, Bharosa, Ziddi, Chhoti Behan, Sanjh Aur Savera, Love in Tokyo, Grahasthi, Humrahi and Beti Bete. She also played negative roles in Paying Guest and Ek Duuje Ke Liye.
Viju Khote
Starting out in films in the mid-60s, Viju Khote gained prominence with Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay in 1975 where he played Kalia and got one of the most memorable film dialogues as he reminded Gabbar Singh of his loyalty. Viju Khote got his next unforgettable role in Rajkumar Santoshi’s 1994 sleeper-hit, comedy Andaz Apna Apna but his filmography ranges from Kurbaani to Karma among variety of others.
Saeed Jaffrey
Jaffrey was a “small man with a large physical presence” whose versatility and fluency in multiple languages helped him gain a respectable position as a narrator on radio, stage, Tv & Film Industry. He ruled for over 6 decades with his seductive, resonant voice. When Bollywood needed a voice of wisdom in the 1970s and 90s, Saeed Jaffrey — with his pitch-perfect diction, swept-back hair and youthful exuberance — was just the answer. He was the father, the uncle one went to for advice — and yet could equally be the wag and the villain. Few actors have straddled the worlds of British, American and Hindi cinema as well as Jaffrey did, be it a paanwala in Chashme Buddoor, a Lakhnavi nawab in Shatranj ke Khilari.
Bela Bose
Bela Bose began to receive independent credit from the late 1950s. Her big break came when she was asked to do a dance number with Raj Kapoor in Main Nashe Mein Hoon, released in 1959. Her first leading role was in Sautela Bhai opposite Guru Dutt. Her career consisted of more than 150 films. In Hawa Mahal , she played the role of Helen’s sister. She was often called upon to play the role of a vamp. Some of her roles were in Bandini,Professor, & Amrapali. Later, she became a character actress and played the villainous sister-in-law in the hit mythological film Jai santoshi Maa.
Paintal
One of his most notable roles was as Champak Boomia in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar; his other roles included Rattan in Jawani Diwani , Guruji in Bawarchi, Arun in Piya Ka Ghar, Panditji in Parichay ,Totaram in Jangal Mein Mangal , Kamal in Heera Panna, Headmaster in Roti, and Budh Anand in Satte Pe Satta. In a very short span of time Kanwarjit Paintal became an indispensable actor for successful films.
Manmauji
Comedian Manmauji Mishra, known for his signature bald head and smile, is a Limca Guinness Book record holder for having done the maximum number of films (over a thousand). He has also done a film with Pierce Brosnan (The Deceivers) but his funny expressions made him stand out in the crowd and he continues to entertain till date.
Birbal
Satinder Kumar Khosla (Birbal) is one of Bollywood’s long-lasting comedians. He has carved out a niche for himself in Bollywood with his passion and wit. He has enacted in over 500 different movies spanning Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and Bhojpuri languages. He remains an iconic personality in the industry to this day.
Manmohan
His signature moustache & good looks established him as a baddie and he played the mean man in most of Rajesh Khanna’s films. in 1970s he was a common face in films and appeared in several blockbusters.
Mukri
What made Mukri different from other comedians was that he used to laugh in every scene that had comedy dialogues. He stole scenes regularly and he was hilarious in every film whether he is playing servant or a gardener or even a show organiser in many films. His last film was ‘Sharabi’ with AB where he played the role of ‘Nathulal’ which has an iconic dialogue of the superstar, ‘Mooche Ho Toh Nathulal Jaise, Warna Na Ho’. His toothless smile amused the audience for decades.
Mohan Choti
He appeared as a young comedian in small roles and acted in almost 250 films from 1954-1992. Mohan Rakshakar was re-named Mohan Choti after a fictional character from the 1963 film Bluffmaster and went on to appear in roles with all the major stars. He was Bollywood’s “Young” & “Naughty” fellow whose weird antics on screen were immensely popular.
Harish Patel
This chubby Theatre actor has been a part of numerous films of 1980s-90s after he made his film debut in Mandi. He has featured on Tv as well. He is well known for his catchphrase “gayee bhains paanee mein” in the movie Mr. India where you hated him as Roopchand, the shopkeeper who refuses to give Anil Kapoor food for his orphaned kids on credit. Patel’s other notable appearances have been in Maine Pyar Kiya, Andaz Apna Apna, Akele Hum Akele Tum and the British-American comedy Run Fatboy Run.
Tej Sapru
Like his father, Tej Sapru is an established Character Actor who has acted in various negative roles in films & Tv. This golden eyed actor has acted in some of the most popular films playing the role of villains son.
Javed Khan Amrohi
Popularly known as Kareem from Nukkad & Jhumroo from “Ye Jo Hai Zindagi” tv serial, he has worked in over 150 films.
Mac Mohan:
His character in the cult movie ‘Sholay’ puts forward the rightmost definition of a sidekick. The evergreen character of Sambha portrayed by him redefined the role and importance of a supporter to super villains in Bollywood movies. Mac Mohan’s, “poore pachaas hazaar“, three iconic words he delivered in Sholay (1975) came to define his entire career. Having appeared in over 200 films through 46 years, Mac Mohan played a long innings in Bollywood. Mac Mohan went on to do a string of negative roles in films like Don (1978), Karz (1980) and Satte Pe Satta (1982), among others. He became synonymous with the bad guy’s henchman. He was also the rare actor whose real name was used as his character’s name in most of his films.
Deven Verma
In his career, he brought to Hindi cinema a touch of subtle humour that could be shared by family audience. He starred in over 100 films and won acclaim for many, including “Angoor”, “Chori Mera Kaam”, and”Golmaal”. While he commenced his career with dramatic roles, he found his métier in witty and ironic comedy in the best films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar and Basu Chatterjee
Satyen Kappu
He is a well-known actor who acted in more than 250 movies & for most of it, he played the character of Villain, Doctor, Police Officer, etc. His notable work includes the role of Ramlaal in Sholay & as Amitabh’s father in Deewaar. Kati Patang, Zanjeer, Namak Halaal are his few of his movies that set him to fame.
Goga Kapoor
Ravinder Kapoor played mostly negative roles role in the movies like Hera Pheri & Khoon Pasina. He acted in many movies with Amitabh Bachchan like Mr. Natwarlal, Shaan, Dostana, Lawaaris, Satte Pe Satta, Coolie, Betaab, Mard, Toofan, Agneepath, etc.
Parveen Kumar
Dubbed the “gentle giant” through the entirety of the show’s run, Praveen Sobti’s iconic portrayal of Bheem overshadowed his work in almost 50 films including the 1987 Amitabh Bachchan blockbuster ‘Shahenshah’. He has worked in Ghayal, Ajooba, Ajay etc mainly in action sequences.
Dan Dhanoa
The Handsome sailor, who shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Dharmendra and a galaxy of stars in about 100 movies in the 1980s and 90s was favourite “baddie” for many viewers who loved him in Mard, Shahenshah, Tridev, Karma, & Jaan ki Baazi.
Jack Gaud
He is usually remembered for his roles in movie Karan-Arjun as Shamsher Singh and as fracture “Bandaya” in film Vaastav. He worked in over 50 films in 1990s.
Gavin Packard
British origin Bollywood “baddie” Gavin featured in many a blockbuster including Sadak, Tridev, Karan Arjun, Mohra ,Tadipar, Chamatkar etc. He featured mostly with Sanjay Dutt & is known for introducing him to Body bui
awesome research! loved this
Thanks Neeti. It was hard to find information for some of these legends but I am sure I have missed a few names.