At 97, AK Hangal returns to TV with 'Madhubala'

Mumbai: Once an actor always an actor. Quite true for 97-year-old A.K. Hangal, who wears grease paint despite the ripe age in a role in the television show 'Madhubala'. He is excited and says work knows no age limit.

"I believe there is no age limit to work. But these days I'm not keeping well," Hangal told IANS.

Talking about the show, he said: "I am feeling great about it. For past few years I have not worked, but I have done a small role in the serial."

Take a look at the legendary characters that created Sholay... Continuing from The Stars of 'Sholay' - Part 1 we now bring you some more actors without which 'Sholay' is incomplete.

A man who started his filmy career at the age of 50 and has done over 125 films now that's a credit everyone would like to have on their resume. He started his Hindi film career with Basu Bhattacharya's 'Teesri Kasam' in 1966, and went on to play the quintessential meek and oppressed old man in innumerable Hindi movies. His own favourites are the roles he played in 'Sholay' and 'Shaukeen'. He was also seen in movies like 'Bawarchi', 'Avatar', and many more prominent ones. Text : Letty Mariam Abraham
Leela Mishra popularly played the role of mother in many old movies of the 60's and 70's. Her first film in Hindi was 'Gangavataran' and her last was 'Aatank' in 1996. She played Basanti’s Mausi in Ramesh Sippy’s 'Sholay'.
Mohan Makhijani, popularly known as Mac Mohan, came to Bombay with the intention to become a cricketer, but here; he joined theatre and finally became a Bollywood actor. Mac Mohan joined the film industry in the company of Vinod Mehra, who went on to become a lead actor. He started his Hindi film career as an assistant with director Chetan Anand, before making his debut as an actor in his film, 'Haqeeqat' in 1964. He was a well known Indian villain in Hindi language films. Although, he acted in over 190 films through the 1970's and 1980's with films like 'Don', 'Karz', 'Satte Pe Satta', 'Zanjeer', 'Rafoo Chakkar', 'Shaan' and 'Khoon Pasina', he is mostly remembered for his role of Sambha, the sidekick of dacoit Gabbar Singh in Ramesh Sippy’s blockbuster 'Sholay'.
Sachin Pilgaonkar started his film career as a child artist in the Marathi film, 'Ha Maaza Marg Eekla' at the age of four and won the National Award. He had done about 15 films as a child artist. He made his first lead with 'Geet Gaata Chal' and received accolades for his performance. But he soon shifted to doing supporting roles. Sachin was then approached to do supporting role in 'Sholay' where he played Imaam Saheb’s grandson.
Viju Khote is often seen in Marathi and Hindi films. He has acted in minor roles in more than 300 films. His first film in Bollywood was titled 'Anokhi Raat' where he played a bandit. Viju Khote is especially famous as the dacoit role Kaalia in 'Sholay' and Robert in movie 'Andaz Apna Apna'. He has acted in several comedy roles.
Asrani made his acting break in a Gujrati movie opposite a budding Gujrati actress Waheeda. His first Hindi movie role was in 'Umang'- a low budget movie- which also had Subash Ghai and Paintal. Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave Asrani a role in 'Bawarchi'. And then films like 'Abhimaan', 'Chala Murari Hero Banne', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Choti Si Baat' followed. But his most remembered role - was the one where he played the Jailor in 'Sholay'. He was hugely talked about in the 1970's and was one of Amitabh Bachchan's close friends.
One would not count her as a prime character in the film but Basanti’s character would be incomplete without Dhanno. We surely do not know what Dhanno did before 'Sholay' and if she was used in other movies. But post 'Sholay' she was a star in her own right.

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$At 97, AK Hangal returns to TV with \'Madhubala\'$

\'Madhubala\' went on air on May 28 and it tells the story of a girl who is forced into the world of showbiz.

He has been active in filmdom since 1967 and played on-screen father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to many top notch Bollywood actors, but two years ago Hangal - the famous 'Rahim Chacha' of 'Sholay' - was struggling for his life as his source of income had dried up and there was hardly any money for food or medicine.

But his son Vijay, 75, says that now they are doing fine.

"Financially we are doing fine. We keep getting help from people from the film fraternity. There are a lot of people from the industry who are our well-wishers. We also get help from welfare trust. Right now we are not facing any financial problem," he told IANS.

Prashaant Bhatt, concept head of 'Madhubala', says that he thought about A.K. Hangal for the show because the serial is a tribute to 100 years of India.

"As we have mentioned earlier that 'Madhubala' is a tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema. Mr. A.K. Hangal has been part of the industry for such a long time and his presence made a huge difference to us. In fact, his blessings matter a lot," said Bhatt.

He was initially sceptical about Hangal accepting the role, but the senior actor's enthusiasm proved his worries wrong.

"Very frankly, he was super excited to do the role. He is 97 now and he has not been keeping well, so we were sceptical whether he would agree to do the role. But when we spoke to him, he said when and where to come for the scene and what will be my role," added Bhatt, who is also the fiction head of Colors, told IANS.

"He comes to the set, looks around and with his gentle voice he calls - 'makeup man'. Once an actor always an actor. It was an honour to have him on the show," he added.

'Madhubala' went on air Monday and it tells the story of a girl who is forced into the world of showbiz. Drashti Dhami plays the title role and the cast also includes Vivian D'sena, Raj Zutshi and Shagufta Ali.