MEHMOOD-The Man Who Taught the Nation How to Laugh!

There were many  comedians in Bollywood before him.But he made the comedian’s role an integral part of the story line.Often the comedian’s plight proved more interesting than even the hero’s romance.For a brief period in the 1960s, thanks to him, comedy was king. And Mehmood was the uncrowned King of Comedy. A time came, when he was so much “in demand” that producers approached him, offering him full-length comedy films. He teamed up with  Shubha Khote,I S Johar and Kishore Kumar gave us some great comedy films.
Mehmood was the son of character-actor/dancer Mumtaz Ali and used to tag along with his father to the film studios. He began acting as a (reluctant) child actor. After he grew up, he pursued several odd jobs -- including that of a car driver.  For a short while, he was a chauffeur for director P.L. Santoshi. 
As an adult actor he first appeared in Guru Dutt’s suspense thriller – CID. After that, Guru Dutt gave him a small part in Pyaasa. After that he got his first noticeable “break” in Parvarish (1958), in which he landed a role as the brother of the hero, Raj Kapoor. His first breakthrough film as a comedian was Sasural, a melodramatic mega-success. The movie also created one of the most successful comedy pairings of the sixties – Mehmood and Shubha Khote. Both did more than 15 films together and gave many hit songs.The most famous films are Saural 1961,Dil Tera Diwana (1962),Hamrahi (1963) ,Grihasti (1963) ,Ziddi (1964),Love In Tokyo (1966) and Pockit Maar (1974).Mehmood and Shubha Khote gave fans endless hours of laugh riot,
SONGS of Mehmood and Shubha Khote

Song from Sasural 1961

Song from Dil Tera Diwana 1962

Song from Grihasti (1963)

Song from Beti Bete 1964

Song from Ziddi (1964)

Song from Love In Tokyo (1966)

SONGS of Mehmood and I S Johar

Both of them worked together in 8 films,first time they came together in 1954 film Nastik,this film was directed by I S Johar, Mehmood  at that time was not an established comedian.In 1965 both appeared as comedians in 2 films."Johar Mehmood in Goa" and "Namaste Ji".After that they came together in Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong.

Song from Johar Mehmood In Goa 1965

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Song from Johar Mehmood In Hong Kong 1971

SONGS of Mehmood and Kishore Kumar

Both of them came together in 8 films ,the most popular are Pyar Kiye Ja,Saadhu Aur Shaitan.Padosan and Hungama

Scene from Saadhu Aur Shaitan 1968

Song from Padosan 1969

Mehmood -A Comedy Genius

Mehmood was  the ‘King of Comedy’ undoubtedly.He was the only actor for whom the audience came to the theatre before the movie started. His huge fan following spoke of his dedication and talent. He was a superstar,his name helped producers sell their film in advance and his picture on the poster ensured that crowd turned up at the theatres.Many heroes of his time were insecure about sharing screen space with him. He was a star of Golden Era Of Bollywood.He was one of the few comedians who managed to deliver box-office hits with some films riding solely on his shoulders.His specialty was that he cracked a lot of impromptu jokes and that brought the audiences closer to him.As a Tribute on his13th Death anniversary I have selected 11 films that prove he was truly a genius.

Dil Tera Diwana - a 1962 Hindi comedy film. It stars Shammi Kapoor, Mala Sinha, Mehmood, Pran and Om Prakash. The music is by Shankar Jaikishan The music of the film was popular. Mehmood was given Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for this film.

Gumnaam- a 1965 Indian Bollywood suspense thriller film, directed by Raja Nawathe, and starring Manoj Kumar, Nanda, Pran, Helen and Mehmood The music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan.Remember the song Hum Kale Hain To Kya Hua Dilwale acted by Mehmood,he was nominared for Filmfare for this film.Mehmood played Butler in this film.According to film expert Rajesh Subramanian,a cold war prevailed between Mehmood and Manoj Kumar during the making. The latter even tried to influence the director so as to discard the song 'Hum kaale hain toh kya hua' (picturised on Mehmood) from the film. However, the song was retained and it proved to be a smash hit and one of the highlights of the film

Pyar Kiye Ja -a 1966 Hindi film directed by C. V. Sridhar starring Kishore Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Mehmood, Om Prakash, Mumtaz, Kalpana and Rajasree. Mehmood was given Filmfare Award for this film.Mehmood acknowledged that Om Prakash, who played his father in the film,equally deserved the award and his fabulous reactions made the scenes more entertaining.

Love In Tokyo -a 1966 Hindi film that became a hit at the box office.The film stars Joy Mukherjee, Asha Parekh, Pran, Mehmood, Lalita Pawar, Asit Sen and Madan Puri. Music was by Shankar Jaikishan while Hasrat Jaipuri wrote the lyrics.Mehmood got Nomination for Best Performance in a Comic Role

Padosan- a 1968 hindi comedy film. Directed by Jyoti Swaroop. It was produced by Mehmood,The movie stars Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu in lead roles. Kishore Kumar, Mukri, Raj Kishore and Keshto Mukherjee played the supporting roles. Mehmood as the South Indian musician and rival to Sunil Dutt is among the highlights of the film. It was considered as one of the best comedy movies ever made in Hindi film history. Mehmood's portrayal of a south Indian music teacher was one of his all time best 

Waris-a 1969 Hindi Action, Comedy film, produced by Vasu Menon on Vasu Studios banner and directed by Ramanna. Starring Jeetendra, Hema Malini, Prem Chopra, Mehmood, Aruna Irani, in the lead roles and music composed by R. D. Burman.He was awarded Filmfare award for this film.

Humjoli - a 1970 Bollywood drama film, produced by Prasan Kapoor on Tirupati Pictures banner and directed by T. R. Ramanna. The film stars Jeetendra, Leena Chandavarkar in the lead roles and music is composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Mehmood played a triple role in this movie as Prithviraj Kapoor,Raj Kapoor and Randhir kapoor.He got Filmfare Award for this film.

Paras -a 1971 Hindi film starring: Sanjeev Kumar, Raakhee, Mehmood, Farida Jalal, Shatrughan Sinha, Madan Puri.Mehmood playing as Munna Sarkar,was given Filmfare Award for this role.

Main Sunder Hoon-a 1971 Bollywood drama film directed by R. Krishnan and Nazir Hussain. The film stars Mehmood and Leena Chandavarkar. Mehmood played Sundar who works in a hotel.He is a very funny, uneducated man, with a suitably funny face, opposite to his name.He falls in love Leena Chandravarkar who often comes to the hotel, and Sunder happens to meet her and amuse her with funny jokes. 

Do Phool  - a 1973 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by S. Ramanathan. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Vinod Mehra and Mehmood .He played Double Role in this film as Pavitra Kumar Rai 'Puttan' / Mani

Kunwara Baap- a 1974 Hindi movie produced by Amarlal Chabria and directed by and starring Mehmood.It's a film with a serious message about polio vaccination. However, Mehmood did some comedy scenes in the film to earn a Filmfare nomination as Best Comic, the only nomination for the film.The hijra song "Saj Rahi Gali" sung by Mohd. Rafi topped the annual Binaca Geet Mala'

Remembering Mehmood on his 84th Birth Anniversary

Mehmood ( 29 September 1932- July 23 2004 )  was an Indian actor, director as well as a producer in the Indian film industry i.e. Bollywood and has worked in more than 300 films in a career spanning over three decades. However, his fans remember him as one of the most hilarious comedian of all time.
He started his career as a child artist. He worked in Bombay films like Kismet. He also did small roles in many films which went unnoticed.Few of such films were Do Bigha Zameen and Pyaasa.

The film CID released in 1956,in that film he had slightly noticable role that brought him to limelight.
Sasural (1961), a three-hankie melodramatic mega-success, was Mehmood's big breakthrough film as a comedian. What's more, Sasural created one of the most successful comedy teams of the sixties -- Mehmood and Shubha Khote. The plump and genial Shubha went on to partner Mehmood in most of his mad capers till the mid-sixties -- including Grihasti, Bharosa, Ziddi and Love In Tokyo

Scene from Ziddi

At the turn of the 1960s, Mehmood even played the hero in small films opposite starlets like Chitra, Naaz and Ameeta. Mehmood cast Ameeta as the heroine in his first production Chhote Nawab (1961), where he gave a break to his friend-cum-composer, R D Burman.After that he produced and Directed Bhoot Bangla(1965)

Scene from Bhoot Bangla

By the late sixties, he was heralded as the monarch of madness, with successes like Patthar Ke Sanam, Do Kaliyan, Neel Kamal, Aankhen and Aulaad releasing one after the other. Mehmood was a master at playing the hero's friend, who would help him out of sticky situations with his street-smart ways.

Mehmood dominated commercial Hindi cinema during his peak years, to the extent that it was said that some lead actors were unwilling to act with him as he tended to overshadow them.His name in the star cast and face on the film poster ensured that scores turned up at the theatres. One song for him in the film was mandatory in that era.At the insistence of distributors, a song picturised on Mehmood became a must in most films of the sixties. Manna Dey, a recognised classical singer, was singled out for singing many of Mehmood's naughty numbers.He was among the rare few who even went to have films named after him - Johar Mehmood in Goa and Johar Mehmood in Hongkong.

Mehmood with fellow Comedians

Some famous Bollywood songs for which people still remember Mehmood are 'Ek chatur naar' from film Padosan, 'Aao Twist Karen' from Bhoot Bangla, 'Yeh do deewane dil ke' from Johar Mehmood in Goa, 'Hum kaale hai to kyaa huaa dilwaale hain' from Gumnaam and so on. He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Dil Tera Diwana(1963) and Filmfare Best Comedian Award 4 times for films Pyar Kiye Jaa(1967),Waris(1970),Paras(1972) and for Vardaan(1975).

Mehmood in Pyaar Kiye Ja

By the time the 90s set in, Mehmood had played his entire hand -- as actor, director, storywriter and producer. But, he was now keeping indifferent health. He made one last attempt at a comeback, with a film called Dushman Duniya Ka (1996). By now, there was a new generation of filmgoers in the theatres -- and new stars in Bollywood’s firmaments. Mehmood managed to get the brightest new star into his movie. Shah Rukh Khan – a self-confessed Mehmood admirer – played the role of the “young” Mehmood in the film, 

actor mehmood's funeral

On 23rd July 2004, Mehmood died in his sleep in Pennsylvania, US, where he had gone for treatment of heart disease after suffering poor health for several years

Mehmood will forever be remembered as he appeared in his heydays – as the King of Comedy. He taught a nation how to laugh! Thank you for the laughter!

Best of Mehmood's Songs

Song from Parvarish 1958

Song from Chhoti Behen 1959

Song from Manzil 1960

Song from Chhote Nawab

Song from Beti Beten 1964

Song from Aarti 1962

Song from Grasti 1963

Song from Bhoot Bangla 1963

Song from Ziddi 1964

Gori Chalo Na Hans Ki Chaal from Beti Bete 1964

Song from Zindagi 1964

Song from Johar mehmood in Goa 1965

Song from Gumnaam 1965

Song from Meharbaan 1967

Song from Patthar Ke Sanam 1967

Song from Neelkamal 1968

Song from Saadhu Aur Shaitan

Song from Do Phool

Song from Padosan

Song from Main Sundar hoon

Song from Lakhon Me Ek 1971

Song from Sab Se Bada Rupaiya 1974

JODI HAMARI JAMEGA KAISE from Aulad 1968

Double Roles in Hindi Cinema

Part 1

The First Double Role in Hindi Cinema was in Lanka Dahan(1917).Dadasaheb Phalke cast Anna Salunke, the actor who played Rani Taramati in Raja Harishchandra, in a double role in Lanka Dahan. Anna Salunke played both Ram and Sita in the movie. It is said that when the film was screened in Mumbai, people took their shoes off when Lord Rama's character appeared on the screen.Since then Double roles have grabed interest of Hindi Film makers

Anna Salunke as Sita in Lanka Dahan (1917) (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

Over the past many decades, there are probably more then 3 hundreads of movies with Do ka star’dum’. The dose of dual roles seems to be working with the audience, while some do wonders at the Box office and some don’t.
Beside double roles there are many films in which the Hero or Heroines have played more than 2 roles,Amitabh Bachhan played tripple role in Mahaan,Mehmood in Hamjoli.I S Johar in Johny Mera Naam,Sanjeev Kumar played 9 roles in a film Naya Din Nayi Raat and the latest  Priyanka Chopra played the roles of 12 eligible girls in the movie "What's Your Raashee."

Still from Awara Shehzada 1933

The first Indian talkie to have a double-role was Awara Shehzada (1933), directed by Master Vitthal, where Shahu Modak played the double-role of a prince and a pauper.

In 1943 Kismet  written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period was a unique in itself,The film came with some bold themes for the first time in Indian Cinema showing an anti-hero character, double role and an unmarried girl getting pregnant.Ashok Kumar played a double role as Shekher and Madan.The film went on to become a major success, at a theatre in Calcutta it ran for three years, and gave Indian cinema its first title of superstar, Ashok Kumar. According to the numbers, it has been given the status of All-Time Blockbuster.

In 1948, this dual aspect was explored by Gemini Productions’ Ranjan and Bhanumati starrer Nishaan and it was the hero Ranjan, who got to play the double-role.
 In 1951, B.R. Chopra’s directorial debut Afsana had the veteran Ashok Kumar playing the role of identical twin brothers Ratan and Chaman and the success of this film gave birth to the ‘judwa bhai/behn’ (identical twins) concept in our films.

In 1952  Anhonee Directed by K A Abbas with a double role of a heroine released.The film stars Nargis in a dual role alongside Raj Kapoor in the lead supported by Achla Sachdev, Om Prakash, Agha and David Abraham in other prominent roles.Nargis was highly appreciated for enacting a dual role and her performance garnered critical acclaim.
In 1957  a film called Apraadhi Kaun came with a double role played by Gajanan Jagirdar.It was produced by Bimal Roy and directed by Asit Sen who was his assistant.The film did the average business.

In 1958 Madhumati released in which both Dilip Kumar and Vajyantimala played 2 roles but those were incarnation roles.In the same year Phagun released  (Bharat Bhushan - Reincarnation) (Madhubala - Triple Role/Reincarnation).
In 1960 B R Chopra's Kaanoon came out with Ashok Kumar playing 2 roles but never came face to face.

In 1961 Hum Dono was released The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda and Sadhana .The film was a Super Hit and its double role was well appreciated by people. The film is also known for its music by Jaidev .For his Double role Dev Anand was nominated as best hero in Filmfare awards.

In 1962 China Town Directed by Shakti Samanta was released .In this film Shammi Kapoor played Double Role,the film as not a huge hit but an average success.Here Shammi Kapoor played a young Singer and a Gangster.

In 1963 Akeli Mat Jaiyo released,It had Rajendra Kumar playing a double role.It was social drama with average success Meena Kumari was the Heroine,The Music of Madan Mohan was hit.
In 1964 Woh Kaun Thi , psychological mystery film directed by Raj Khosla, starring Sadhana Shivdasani, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra.In this movie Sadhana played a double role of twin sisters.The film became a hit at the box office.

In 1966 four films having Double roles were released Dil Diya Dard Liya (Tun Tun) , Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Nutan),Mamta (Suchitra Sen) and Mera Saya (Sadhana)
Mera Saaya  directed by Raj Khosla released.Sadhana played the double role The film was a remake of Marathi film called Pathlaag (Chase). The film's music is by Madan Mohan and lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. The film stars Sunil Dutt and Sadhana. This is director Raj Khosla's third film with Sadhana after Ek Musafir Ek Hasina(1963) and Woh Kaun Thi? (1964). The film became a box office success.

Mamta is a 1966 Hindi film, directed by Asit Sen, with music by Roshan.The movie starred Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar andDharmendra. The film about middle class fears and class conflict, has lead actress Suchitra Sen in a double role. The film performed "above average" at the box office.Suchitra Sen  portrays the double role both of Deviyani and Suparna.

Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is a 1966 Bollywood film. It stars Dharmendra, Nutan, Rehman and Jeevan. The music is by Sonik Omi.Nutan plays Aasho and shabnam.The film was not successful.

In 1967 Ram Aur Shyam  released .Dilip Kumar had a double role in this with Waheeda Rehman and Mumtaj as his heroines.Dilip Kumar who was known as tragedy king surprised the audience with his comedy act.Dilip Kumar won the Filmfare best actor award

In the same year Milan also released ,in this film both Sunil Dutt and Nutan played two roles but this is again a re incarnation movie.

In 1968 Eleven double role movies released,Aankhen with Sujit Kumar,Haseena Maan Jayegi with Shashi Kapoor and Do Kaliyan with Neetu Singh as Baby Sonia were most successfulout of those 11 films.Do Duni Chaar a Bimal Roy film having Kishore Kumar and his servant Asit Sen both playing double roles.the same plot was taken by Gulzar in Angoor after many years with Sanjiv Kumar and Deven Verma.

In 1969 seven films with double roles released.Aradhana Rajesh Khanna played Father and Son,Jeetendra played a double role in Jigri Dost,Mehmood playing a double role in Waris,in which he got the Filmfare Award as Best Comedian,Dharmendra came with a double role in Yakeen,this film was an average.
!970 eight films with double roles came.The worth mentioning are 3 Films,Suchha Jhootha with Rajesh Khanna playing a double role  The movie was a box-office blockbuster. The movie stars Rajesh Khanna as a simple villager, who has a look alike who is a crook. It also starsMumtaz and Vinod Khanna. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji. The film was the second highest grossing of the year and declared a Super Hit.

Johny Mera Naam was a blockbuster 1970 crime thriller film. Directed by Vijay Anand, it stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the roles of brothers separated in childhood.The highlight of the movie was a Tripple Role played I S Johar who received his first Best Performance in a Comic Role for his triple roles: a steward in aeroplane, an associate of criminals, and a police officer.

Humjoli is another film worth mentioning because Mehmood played Tripple role in this movie playing Grand Father,Father and son representing three generation of Kapoor Khandan.The film stars Jeetendra, Leena Chandavarkar in the lead roles and music is composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

In 1971 four double role films released,Raaj Kumar in Lal Pathar.Mala Sinha in Maryada,Waheeda Rehman in Man Mandir and Raakhi in Sharmilee,, it was a hit movie,Shashi Kapoor was the Hero,music was given by S D Burman, Raakhee played a double role in this film, and its success helped make her one of the decade's top leading lady in Hindi films.

1972 seven such movies released but the worth mentioning is Seeta aur Geeta Hindi comedy, drama film starring Hema Malini in a dual role, and directed by Ramesh Sippy. The story is by Salim-Javed and the music by R.D. Burman.Hema Malini won her only competitive Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. 

1974 remains the year in which maximum(12) double role films released,Geeta Mera Naam and Mausam are worth mentioningMausam starring Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore, and directed by Gulzar. It is loosely based on the novel, The Judas Tree, by A.J. Cronin. Sharmila Tagore for her acting received The Silver Lotus Award at the 23rd National Film Festival and the movie was honoured by presenting an award for 2nd Best Feature Film.

The highlight of the year 1974 was Naya Din Nai Raat ,Sanjiv Kumar playing 9 different roles in one movie.he played  as Anand / Swami Rahasyanand / Mr. Sarang / Seth Dhanraj / Sher Singh / Four Other Roles.This film had enhanced his status and reputation as an actor in Hindi cinema.

1976 nine films with double or more roles released Dilip Kumar did triple role in Bairaag,Shatrughan Sinha did a double Role in Kalicharan,The film was the directorial debut of Subhash Ghai and was the breakthrough role for stars Shatrughan Sinha and Reena Roy.Shatrughan Sinha played the role of inspector Prabhakar and Kalicharan a prisoner.The film became a box office hit.

1978,seven such films released Amitabh Bachhan came with two films both were hit Kasme Vaade and Don.It was an action thriller Amitabh Bachchan played  as Don and Vijay
,Don is the most wanted criminal. The police are always unsuccessful at nabbing him. However, in a police encounter Don is fatally shot. Vijay is the spitting image of Don and is soon forced to pose as Don in order to help the police arrest Don's gang members.

Same year Raj Kumar came with Karamyogi which had great dialogues and Deven Verma with a tiple role in Besharam,this film was produced and Directed by Deven Verma himself,the star cast had Amitabh Bachhan,Sharmila Tagore,and Amjad Khan.Deven Verma played- Laxman, his father and mother.Unfortunately the film didn't run.
1979 saw 3 films of double role Amitabh Bachhan with The Great Gambler,Vinod Mehra with Bin Phere Hum Tere and Vinod Khanna with Lahu Ke Do Rang.

In Part 2( Films of !980s onward)