Indian cinema has been poor on comedy. Surely Bombay Talkies have. While its
other genres have not found challenges in actors to translate scripts the
challenge has been with comedies. In fact main stream actors (with the
exception of the likes of Govinda and Abhishek) would take an award in the
category of best comedian as infra dig. Yet comedy is an integral part of our
cinema and many of our directors ensure a parallel track with comedy to relive
the monotony of the sob story or main story.
As we celebrate the magic of milestone 100 from Raja Harishchandra it is time
to recall the guys who made us laugh or were at least around to keep our bones
tickled.
1. Bhagwan (1913 – 2002):
With time we see him more as a comedian than as a hero of our cinema. Strangely
he is known for films like Albela where he was really the heroine alongside one
of our most talented actresses – Geeta Bali. His shola jo badke is cult and
even Big B would come in later decades to copy his sense of timing. If comedy
is all about timing, he had it aplenty.
2. Johnny Walker (1926-2003):
A true comedian. With a filmography of about 400 films he gave our cinema some
of its lightest moments. Working with Guru Dutt, he was a regular and his Sar
jot era takraye is yet another unforgettable piece of our cinema. Add to it
Aiye dil hai mushkil and youhave a guy for whom film makers ensured even a top
class number. Last seen in Chachi 420 as the makeup man for the hero he did the
role that comedy King Nagesh did in the original.
3. Mehmood (1932-2004):
Probably the most celebrated comedian, if the not the best. Success was his
middle name and he crafted an important position for comedy in our cinema. So
much that it is believed that there was a quarrel post Dil Tera Diwana as who
was the main draw in the film. With Shoba Khote and later Aruna Irani and even
Mumtaz his scores of films were the diet of entertainment in the sixties and seventies.
4. Deven Varma (1930):
This actor stayed clear from the crass stuff that is often dished out in the
name of comedy. Working mostly with sensitive directors like Hirshida, Gulzar,
Basu Chaterjee, his mainstay was a deadpan look and a style of dialogue
delivery that had the audience in splits. Do not miss his Angoor and Rang
Birangi.
5. Kader Khan (1935):
The man would be remembered for his contribution to our cinema in more fields
than one. As a comedian, his own dialogues and his willingness to play
different kinds of characters was a huge asset. Nominated for the best comedian
award for five consecutive years (’94-’99) reflected his hold on mainstream
cinema. May be now out of the arc lights of Bombay Talkies but once ruled the
roost with his many faceted contributions.
6. Ashok Saraf (1947):
He did not wait for us to go and see him at the cinemas. He came to our drawing
room with Hum Paanch and left an indelible mark as a very special comedy star.
With a Marathi stage background he too believes that timing is what comedy is
all about and thanks to him we don’t have too much of sit on the cake to make
people laugh genre. Notice how he adds a lighter vein to a film like Singhamand
you would value him as an actor of the genre.
7. Paresh Rawal (1950):
Oh My God, is this guy talented!! This Geminian is truly double faced- nay
Sybil faced. It would be difficult to decide which role he did best. Truly as a
comedian he has had no match in our cinema. Films like Andaz apna apna, Hera
Pheri, Phir hera Pheri are legendary and the actor never tires to give his
best. Be it Welcome or Maalamaal Weekly in every of his film he makes for
compelling viewing. Even in Telugu cinema (Money, Money Money and ….) he left a
great impact.
8. Boman Irani: (1959) Der aye durust aye. May have entered the scene late but
since then has held centre stage. His Munna bhai, Waqt are very special. Notice
how he dignifies comedy in Shirin Farhaad ki to Nikal Padi and you would admit
that he is a class act in a crass game.
9. Rajpal Yadav (1971):
This contemporary actor is a bomb of a talent. Don’t go by his size and if you
have to notice how he has converted it into an asset. Multi-talented, he seems
to choose comedy for a niche and sure has a well-earned repute in the space. He
is now part of the Priyadarshan cinema but notice him and see some films like
Waqt, Hulchul, Chup Chup Ke, Phir Hera Pheri specially for him. Hope he does
not encourage the idea of being the hero in his films and does what he is so so
good at: comedy.
10. Vijay Raaz (1963):
Unfortunately for him he is with cinema when even the role of the comedian is
given to a hero to ensure the story is a multi-starrer. Yet this lanky
youngster has huge talent and has displayed it in films like Run, Mumbai
Express (alongside the likes of Kamalhasan), Deewane Hue Pagal, Dhamal etc.
Comedy is serious business and this is a salute to those who not only make us laugh but work hard to make us feel light.
L. Ravichander.