The Lesser Players of Bollywood

There are a lot of character actors in Bollywood who add their charming little acts to the proceedings. Here is recounting a few from their heyday-

Iftikhar- usually playing the Commissioner of Police, he lightened up in Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye..

Om Shivpuri played many small but important characters, like in Don (the Amitabh original).

A.K. Hangal made Ramukaka, the homely servant popular, but played a horny old man in the comedy "Shaukeen" with panache too.

Om Prakash was an endearing character in most films, Chupke Chupke being one of his best roles as the jeejaji who is a stickler for Shuddh Hindi.

Nazneen excelled at the sister act- the hero or the heroine always had a sister in old Hindi films.

Keshto Mukherjee was the eternal drunk, and made this act his own.

David was the uncle or elderly equivalent in countless films, particularly noticeable in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's and Basu Chatterjee's films.

Ashok Kumar played many important roles long after he stopped being a hero, adding charm to lots of films.

Lalita Pawar, known as the mother-in-law without a heart, played a wonderful contrarian role in Anand, the Rajesh Khanna starrer. 

Sudhir, Mac Mohan, Viju Khote, Paintal, are some others that come to mind.

Lasting Contributions of Bollywood Heroes and Heroines

This is a TIC (tongue-in-cheek for backward people) look at lasting contributions of Bollywood Celbs of my time and yours-

Alia Bhatt- the jokes, of course. After Ajit (a villain), these are the most formidable.

Jeetendra- the white shoes are his legacy.

Mithun-da- Turning, twisting, gyrating, redefining Newton's Laws of Motion.

Rajesh Khanna- the look, a romantic one.

Dharmendra- Main tera khoon pee jaaonga . The dialogue.

Jaya Bhaduri- her laugh

Dev Anand- his scarves, and the delivery of dialogue without punctuation. The way he said, ..well, anything.

Madhubala- the crooked smile which floored the straight guys.

Helen- Her slimness in a world of overflowing adipose tissue. Amazing.

Mehmood- His anti-Fair and Lovely anthem in Gumnaam. Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain.

Shatrughan Sinha- Khamosh! One-worder rather than one-liner. But also had one liners like "Tum jis school mein padhte ho, hum uske Headmaster hain"

Om Prakash- his facial expressions were classic.

Navin Nischal- not sure, he didn't last too many Sawans or Bhadons, took the Victoria no.203 and went away..

Raj Kapoor- The Charlie Chaplin walk, look,..

Zeenat Aman- The glam quotient. Paved the entry to non-actresses with hot looks, that continues to this day.

Parveen Babi- Gave (Namak) Halal a sizzle that was as good as the steak (Advertising fraternity might get this one..)

Lalita Pawar- a blueprint for all Ekta Kapoor successes.

David- A Tribute

They also play a pivotal role in many films. rarely do they get talked about, such is the hero-worship in the world of Bollywood and its media coverage.

One of the delightful cameo artists was simply known as David (others, a few I can recall off-hand, were Durga Khote, Dina Pathak, Leela Mishra, Nazneen, AK Hangal, Om Prakash, Utpal Dutt, and many comedians along the way). He was inconspicuous, but when he came on to the scene, he radiated a charm and positive energy, making you smile. He did not seem like he was acting too- a natural.

Many a film benefited from his unique charisma (non-heroes have it too, you know)- a partial list of which is here-

• Khubsoorat (1980)
• Gol Maal (1979)
• Baton Baton Mein (1979)
• Hamare Tumhare (1979)
• Khatta Meetha
• Chupke Chupke (1975)
• Abhimaan (1973)        

The playful guy in Golmaal who tips off Amol Palekar on how to 'patao' Utpal Dutt with moustaches and a penchant for our 'pavitra sanskaar' brings tears of laughter even today. Similarly he is an easy foil to the 'khadoos' Dina Pathak in Khubsoorat. Ashok Kumar is of course, the other. 

In Abhimaan, when the egos of the husband and wife clash, he is one of the sober voices. In Chupke Chupke, he is one of the active plotters along with Dharmendra, to teach Om Prakash a thing or two about Shuddh Hindi ka prayog, leading to a lot of hasta prakshalan (hand-washing) and hand-wringing. Memorable roles all.