About
Indian film actor, director, and comedian known for starring in over 350 films across 5 decades including Sholay, Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, Abhimaan, Bawarchi, Rafoo Chakkar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Namak Halaa, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Before Fame
He studied at Rajasthan College before shifting to formally train as an actor in the mid-1960s. His debut Hindi film was Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan in 1967. He then found success in acting in the 1970s by acting in a string of films including Bawarchi, Namak Haraam, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke, Rafoo Chakkar, and Chhoti Si Baat among others.
Trivia
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for the 1973 film Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar in 1974. He turned a nine-minute cameo in the 1975 film Sholay playing a comedic Hitler-like jailer into one of Indian cinema's most iconic comic moments. His acting in his cameo was inspired by Charlie Chaplin's parody of Adolf Hitler in The Great Dictator.
Family Life
He was born and raised in Jaipur in a Sindhi family. He married actress Manju Bansal in the mid-1970s after they met on the sets of Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Namak Haraam. He died on October 20th, 2025, in Mumbai, India.
Associated With
He costarred with Amitabh Bachchan in multiple films including in Namak Haraam, Abhimaan, and Chupke Chupke. He collaborated in over 20 films with Rajesh Khanna.
