They are not dashing as Shah Rukh Khan nor charming as Salman Khan or athletic as Akshay Khanna, but no film story is complete without them. It is they who lent spice to the movie. Their acting flavour was relished again and again by the viewers. In the hundred years of Indian cinema there have been dozens of character artists who have earned a niche place in the hearts of movie goers. Many a viewer would decide to see a movie not because of the lead pair but who was the character artist in it. All of them had created a unique mannerism and an individualistic style of dialogue delivery that had fans asking for more.
There was a period till the seventies when character artists had a space for themselves in Bollywood movies. However later on the heroes started becoming stars and doing combined roles of the lover, comedian, villain etc, thus reducing need for separate character artists. We shall try to recall some notable character artists of the period before nine seventies.
Who can forget Om Prakash's more than 300 films from 1942 till his death in 1998. He brought a trademark style in his acting. His dialogue delivery was also typical of his personality. From comic roles to serious roles he enacted them with a finesse that made him a selling point of his movies. His appearance on the screen was comforting that a powerful performance was forthcoming. Some of his memorable movies are Pyaar Kiye Jaa, Chupke Chupke, Padosan, Namak Halaal, Sharabi, Naukar Biwi Ka, Prem Rog, Gol Maal, Aandhi, Roti, Purab Aur Paschim, and Dil Tera diwana,
The Jewish actor David Abraham was another adorable character actor who acted in more than 110 films till his passing away in 1981. He started his career in Naya Sansar in 1941. He was everyone's favourite Chacha. His role of John Chacha in the 1954 film Boot Polish brought him into the national limelight. He looked very convincing in the soft characters he usually portrayed on the screen. Some of his famous films are Khubsoorat, Baton Baton Mein, Khatta Meetha, Chupke Chupke, Gol Maal, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Upkaar, Anupama, Mamata, Haathi Mere Saathi etc.
Viewers may also like to recall another artist who acted in more than 200 films and whose appearance on screen was greeted with laughter. Her screen name was Tun Tun otherwise known as Uma Devi Khatri. She was also a well known play back singer.The overweight actress carried her roles with great aplomb. Some of her films are Aar Paar,Mr & Mrs 55, Pyasa, Namak Halaal. She passed away in 2003.
Another character actress of great charm was Farida Jalal. She acted with such sensitivity that audiences felt comfortable in watching her playing various roles ranging from the small role in Aradhana opposite Rajesh Khanna to Simran's mother in Dilwae Dulhaniya le Jayenge. Her roles in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai , Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham and Dil to Pagal Hain are noteworthy. She is active on TV also.
Nazir Hussain, now almost forgotten, acted in nearly 400 films and also directed some famous Bhojpuri films the most famous of which was 'Ganga Maiyaa Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'. He was either the eternal father or the poor farmer/worker. He would be eternally emotional on the screen and most of the time would quit the world due to a predictable heart attack. His acting years spanned from 1950 to 2010. Some of his famous movies are Amar Akbar Anthony, Jewel Thief, Devdas, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Khamoshi, Gunga Jamuna, Kashmir ki Kali, Leader, Ram aur Shyam, Naya Daur and Do Bhiga Zameen.
Jeevan was another character artist who excelled in the role of Narad Muni in numerous films and was popularly known by it. He acted in films from 1935 till 1986 and passed away in 1987. His patented dialogue delivery was his recognition and fans would love him for it. He acted in a wide range of roles, most of them being as a villain out to molest the leading lady or deprive someone of his wealth. He acted in many Dev Anand movies. His son Kiran Kumar also became an actor. Some of his films are Nagin, Do Phool, Phool Aur Patthar, Hamraaz, Johny Mera Naam, Roti, Gambler, Lawaaris, Naseeb etc.
Nirupa Roy excelled herself in the role of the ideal Indian mother and wife ready to sacrifice herself for her children and husband. Such was her identification with these roles that she acted in nearly 475 films.Tears would flow from her eyes for most of the time she was on the screen. She was known as the queen of misery. Born in 1931 she started her acting career in a Gujarati film in 1946 and followed it by acting in her first Hindi film Amar Raj, in the same year. She acted in a large number of films in mythological roles and was seen as a goddess by her fans. It was in the sixties that she started playing mother roles and in seventies her roles of a suffering mother especially in Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor movies made her very famous. Some of her famous films are Mard,Betab, Suhaag, Amar Akbar Anthony, Deewar, Shaheed, Dharamputra, Baazigar, Jai Mahakaali, Ha Har Mahadev rtc. She passed away in 2004 aged 72. Today also she is remembered as the greatest Mother of all times in Bollywood.
Someone forgotten but recognized as Amjad khan's father was a powerful character actor known as Jayant. Possessing a powerful body and an equally booming voice he brought a commanding aura to his roles. Born in a Pathan family in1915 he passed away in 1975. He acted in a large number of films,some of which are Love and God, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Reshma aur Shera, Heer Ranjah, Do Raaste, Sungursh, Himalay Ki Godh Mein, Leader, Son of India, Madumati etc.
Another effective character actor who mostly played the villainous moneylender was Kanhaiyalal. He rose to fame for his moneylender role as Sukhi Lala, in the iconic movie, Mother India. Hailing from Benares he acted in 105 films. He was a natural actor with a patented rural touch dialogue delivery. Starting his career in 1940 some of his famous movies are Mother India, Ganga Jamuna, Upkaar,Apna Desh, Dushman.
The gentleman villain K N Singh was another convincing character artist who went on to act in more than 200 films. He only had to raise his eyes and say a caustic dialogue and the audiences would get the message of his villainy. For sixty years the Dehra Doon born acted in movies and passed away in 2000 at the age of 91 years.