Ajit- Iconic Villain

 Nobody who watched Hindi films in the 70s and eighties can forget Ajit. He was suave, well-dressed and had a way with dialogue delivery.

He became a legend because of his lackeys and moll. That means, unlike some contemporary villains, he was inclusive. Only Gabbar after him can claim some credit for mentioning his team members in dialogues.

He was known for Jokes which were partly driven by real stuff from his films, but many were made up. Nobody knows which are which, after so many years.. 

Voltage badhao was one which was real, while torturing someone in his den. I think.

Michael tum saikal lekar jao. Probably this too-

"Ise liquid Oxygen mein daal do. Liquid use jeene nahi dega, aur Oxygen use marne nahi dega."

Raabert (Robert, in his inimitable style) was the other regular in his stable. And of course, Mona Darling!

Some dialogues/jokes that are probably made up, include-

"Mona, tum Tony ke saath mat sona, nahi to monatony ho jayegi." 

Or this dialogue,

"Boss, ye to mar gaya. Iska kya karen?"

""Isko le jaake dafna do. Aur uske side mein ek sui bhi laga do. Phir pulice ise Sui-cide samjhegi."

Great fun!

Imitations

 Some people have a knack for doing great imitations, or mimicry. Some of these that I remember.

Anil Lahoti, a friend, did a great imitation of extras dancing in Hindi films. Usually, in the sixties or seventies, this involved wiggling various parts of their body while being overshadowed by the heroine, vamp, or sometimes the hero. This was hilarious, and to use a now outdated term, ROFL.

We all tried at one time or another, imitating the villain Ajit, and his dialogues. His favourites Raabert, Mona and Tony, and sometimes Maikal (who took the saikal) figured prominently in these. His boasts like Saara shahar mujhe Loin ke naam se jaanta hai, was the most popular, and his torture orders- Ise Liquid Oxygen mein daal do, Liquid ise jeene nahi dega, aur Oxygen ise marne nahi dega - were actually legendary.

We had fun imitating some dear professors, among whom JD Singh, a much-loved marketing prof., was one. A famous question he used to ask us in a case discussion, " Is that the only kaas (cause)?" became the stuff of legend, as was his other dialogue, about the customer 'handling the product, and fondling the product.' 

Another colleague later used to threaten (not seriously) anyone who gave a wrong answer, 'Tereko donda leke marunga'  in typical Odiya accent.

Actors of a Kind

This is about actors who played bit roles or villain's roles in Hindi films.

Ajit was a villain who cracked one-liners with aplomb, and became the most "joked-about" villain due to them. Mona darling, Raabert, and Michael, tum cycle par jao..etc. were the stuff of legend.

 Another actor (actually two- Keshto is with Utpal Dutt) who always made a mark, usually as a drunkard, with his characteristic hichki, was Keshto Mukherjee. The scene below is with another actor with terrific comic timing, Utpal Dutt, who brought the house down in Golmaal with his role of a hater of clean-shaven guys.