HE THOUGHT US HOW TO LAUGH : REMEMBERING MEHMOOD

HE THOUGHT US HOW TO LAUGH - REMEMBERING MEHMOOD

WRITTEN BY: RAJESH V. GAUR and SUNEEL V. GAUR

EMAIL: sunrise607@rediffmail.com

 Actor Mehmood’s death anniversary will be observed on 23rd July 2014. RAJESH V. GAUR AND SUNEEL V. GAUR chronicle the life and times of the star.

The inimitable Mehmood was Bollywood’s best-known comedian. Mehmood 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. Thanks to Mehmood comedy was king in the 1960s and Mehmood was the uncrowned king of this genre.

                                       
 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 in some Bombay Talkies’ films like Kismet Mehmood’s first real role in films, he played a gangster in Guru Dutt’s suspense thriller – CID. After that, Guru Dutt gave him a small part in Pyaasa.

While he was struggling in Bombay Talkies, he made friends with another upcoming actor Kundan. Their friendship lasted through thick and thin and they were friends forever. Kundan was a grea help to him during his days of struggle.
                                                     

 

Mehmood with his dear friend Kundan.

 

Luckily for Mehmood, he got his first noticeable “break” in Parvarish (1958), in which he landed a role as Raj kapoor the lead actor gave him a real tough time, since he was a newcomer. Years later, when Mehmood was at the peak of his career – Mehmood single-handedly spoofed them all in a triple role in the film Humjoli.

                                              

 After Paravrish, Mehmood got meatier roles in films like Gumnam, Pyar Kiye Jaa and Pyar Hi Pyar. In 1961, he played the lead comedian in Sasural. This was followed by – hits like Love in Tokyo and Ziddi etc. Mehmood's his fans just could not get enough of him as a “side-comedian” in the movies. And a time came, when he was so much “in demand” that producers approached him, offering him full-length comedy films.
Mehmood teamed up with another comedian, I. S. Johar, in Namasteji. The comic duo went on to make several more capers – which immortalized them in Bollwood , by incorporating their names in the film’s titles – Johar Mehmood in Goa followed by Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong. By the early 70s, Mehmood was at then at the peak of his comic career. He exhibited a rare ability to gauge the mood of the cinema-going audience – especially the frontbenchers!
Mehmood’s super stardom caused a lot of insecurity and anxiety in Bollywood acting circles as he was a scene stealer and overshadowed even the heroes. After two decades of success, Mehmood’s comedy began to come undone. His caricatures – especially his spoofs on South Indians -- had begun to bore the audiences. Sadly he could not re-invent himself as effortlessly as he had in the past.
                                         

                                               
 Thus Mehmood decided to concentrate on his own production house which made films like Chhote Nawab, Bhoot Bangla, Padosan. Kunwara Baap
, etc. He also made Bombay to Goa and gave the then struggling newcomer Amitabh Bachchan the lead role,thus helping him carve a niche in Bollywood.
In the 1990s Mehmood was keeping indifferent health and he had also lost the ability to feel the pulse of film buffs . He was eventually eclipsed by the new breed of comediens and retired from films.
Mehmood will forever be remembered as he appeared in his heydays – as the King of Comedy. He taught the film buffs the ability to laugh!

                                                     

  WRITTEN BY: RAJESH V. GAUR and SUNEEL V. GAUR