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Mehmood (actor)

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Mehmood Ali
Mehmood on 2013 stamp of India
Born(1932-09-29)29 September 1932
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died23 July 2004(2004-07-23) (aged 71)
Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • film producer
  • director
Children7, including Pucky Ali, Lucky Ali, Macky Ali, Ginny Ali
ParentMumtaz Ali (father)
RelativesMeena Kumari (sister-in-law); see also Ali-Amrohi family
FamilyMehmood Ali family

Mehmood Ali (29 September 1932 – 23 July 2004), popularly known simply as Mehmood, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer, best known for playing comic, serious, emotional and versatile roles in Hindi films.[1][2]

During his career spanning more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films and was known as Bollywood's Original Bhaijaan.[2][3] Mehmood received 25 nominations for film awards, 19 for 'Best Performance in a Comic Role', while the awards started in 1954, awards for the best comedian category started only in 1967. Prior to that Mehmood also received 6 nominations for 'Best Supporting Actor'.

Early life

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Mehmood Ali was born on 29 September 1932. He was the second of the eight children, and eldest son to Latifunnisa and film and stage actor/dancer Mumtaz Ali, who was a huge star of the 1940s and 1950s cinema in Mumbai. Mehmood had an elder sister and six younger siblings. His sister, Minoo Mumtaz, was also a successful dancer and character actress in Bollywood movies. His youngest brother, Anwar Ali, is also an actor as well as a producer of such movies as Khud-daar and Kaash.[3]

Career

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Early career

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As a child, he worked in Bombay films like Kismet. He later had a number of odd jobs, selling poultry products and working as a driver for director P. L. Santoshi. Santoshi's son, Rajkumar Santoshi, would later cast him in the film Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Many of Mehmood's film songs were sung by Mohammad Rafi.

Mehmood would go on to perform small roles in films such as Do Bigha Zameen, C.I.D., and Pyaasa. He later began taking on larger roles.

He then ruled from late 50s to 70s as a Big Superstar, both as an actor and filmmaker. In the period from 1958-1979 he gave many hits, superhits and blockbusters as main lead, parallel lead, 2nd lead and supporting roles. And also did many Special Appearances & Cameos.

And during that period he gave break to many artists in the industry like - R.D. Burman, Rajesh Roshan, Aruna Irani, Amitabh Bachchan and many more.

Later career

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In the 1980s, Mehmood's starts doing less movie and during that time other comedy actors like Jagdeep, Asrani, Paintal, Deven Verma and Kader Khan shot to prominence. Between 1990 and 1999, he made a handful of movies, but most of them were either shelved or made no impression. He acted as Johnny in Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna (1994). It was his last well-known film.

Personal life

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Mehmood married Madhu Kumari in 1953; the two divorced in September 1967.[citation needed] The two had four children together, Masood "Pucky" Ali, Maqsood "Lucky" Ali, Maqdoom "Macky" Ali, and Masoon Ali. Mehmood would go on to marry his second wife, Tracy, and have three more children with her, Mansoor Ali, Manzoor Ali, and Latifunnissa "Ginny" Ali.[4] Several of his children would go on to star in Mehmood related productions such as the 1976 film Ginny Aur Johnny, which starred his daughter Ginny and was based on the 1973 film Paper Moon.[5]

Death

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On 23 July 2004, Mehmood died in his sleep in Pennsylvania, where he had gone for treatment of cardiovascular heart disease after suffering from poor health over several years. His fans were able to pay homage to him at Mehboob Studio in Bandra, Mumbai.[2][3]

After the initial homage in Mumbai, his body was flown to Ali Estates, the family's 186-acre farmhouse in Yelahanka, on the outskirts of Bangalore[6] A funeral procession was held there on 29 July 2004, attended by close relatives, friends, and several film personalities along with local mourners.[7] Though relatively low-key in accordance with his wishes, the ceremony drew tributes from many senior actors and filmmakers who acknowledged Mehmood as a giant of Indian comedy whose influence extended well beyond his screen presence. The estate, which had been used as a set for many of Mehmood's films, also houses a private family graveyard. He was buried in a modest, unmarked grave at the foot of the white tomb of his father, Mumtaz Ali. His son Macky, who died in 2002, is also buried next to him.[8]

Legacy

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One of Mehmood's most enduring legacies is his early support for Amitabh Bachchan, who would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema. At a time when leading producers hesitated to cast Bachchan in prominent roles, Mehmood offered him the lead in Bombay to Goa, marking Bachchan's first major solo project.[9] The film featured a high-impact bus crash sequence, and Mehmood was reportedly taken aback by the raw intensity Amitabh displayed in the action scene – a performance that foreshadowed his future rise as the "Angry Young Man." Bachchan would later refer to Mehmood as his "godfather," crediting him with giving him a crucial break at a turning point in his career.[10]

Mehmood's personal life also reflected his wide social reach. Through marriage, he was connected to the Nawab of Arcot's family, one of the oldest Muslim noble lineages in India, known for their longstanding ties to Hyderabad and Madras aristocracy.[11]

Mehmood on a 2013 stamp of India

Satish Kaushik has credited Mehmood as inspiring him to become an actor.[12] In 2013 Mehmood was featured on a stamp of India.[citation needed] In 2022, Mehmood was placed in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.[13]

Filmography

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YearFilmAsNotes
1943KismetYoung ShekharChildhood Version of Ashok Kumar
1945SanyasiBanke
1951NadaanBus Conductor[1]
1952 Maa
1953Do Bigha ZaminPeanuts Seller
1954NastikVinod's Henchman
1954NaukriPickPocket, Rowdy @ 1 hour, 38 min of film
1956C.I.D.Sher Singh
1956 Mem Sahib Hardeep Kumar
1956Funtoosh
1957BaarishRamu's Neighbour
1957PyaasaVijay's Brother
1957 Ek Saal Doctor
1958ParvarishRamesh Singh
1958 Howrah Bridge
1959Qaidi No. 911Anand
1959Kaagaz Ke PhoolSpecial AppearanceIn the song "San San San Woh Chali Hawaa"
1959Chhoti BahenMaheshFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated]
1960Mian Biwi Razi
1960ManzilShankar Paanwala
1960Shriman SatyawadiKishore
1961Chhote NawabLeading RoleMehmood provided famous music director R. D. Burman his first break in this film
1961Pyaase PanchhiMahesh
1961SasuralMaheshFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated]
1962Rakhi[14]KasturiFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated]
1962Dil Tera DeewanaAnokheFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
1963HamrahiMahesh
1963Ghar Basake DekhoSunderNominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
1963GodaanGobar
1963Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye
1963Bharosa[14]Platform M. P. P. S.
1963GrahastiJaggu
1964Mama JiMadariPunjabi Punjabi Movie
1964ZindagiJaggu
1964ZiddiMahesh
1964Beti BeteMahesh 'Munna'
1964ShabnamKhan Mustafa / Zingarro
1964ChitralekhaBrahmachari Shwetant
1964Sanjh Aur SaveraPrakash
1965Johar-Mehmood in GoaRahim Mohammed Salauddin
1965Do DilBahadur Singh
1965Namasteji
1965GumnaamButlerFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated]
1965Bhoot BunglaMohan KumarProduced and directed by Mehmood
1965Neela AakashMadanlal
1965Bahu BetiMahesh
1965KaajalBhola
1966Pyar Kiye JaaAtmaFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
1966Mohabbat Zindagi HaiManglu
1966Biwi Aur Makan[14]Sitaram Pandey
1966Pati PatniPashupati
1966Love in TokyoMahesh
1966Daadi MaaMahesh
1967Chandan Ka PalnaMahesh Chandra Mukhopadhyay
1967MehrbanMadhu
1967Gunahon Ka Devta[14]
1967Patthar ke SanamHariya Kumar
1968Padosan[14]Master Pillaiwith Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu and Kishore Kumar. Mehmood jointly produced this film with N. C. Sippy
1968AnkhenMehmood
1968Neel KamalGirdhar Gopal Agarwal
1968Do KaliyanMahesh
1968IzzatMahesh
1968Sadhu Aur Shaitaan[14]BajrangFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1969Meri BhabhiShambhuFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1969Badi DidiMadan
1969WarisCID Inspector Rajan / Ram Kumar No. 3 & his mother (Double Role)Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
1970HumjoliShivram / Balram / Parshuram (Triple Role)Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1970JawabBajrangi
1970MastanaSatyaCredit as Mahmood
1971Main Sunder Hoon[14]SunderFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1971Lakhon Me Ek[14]Bhola
1971ParasMunna SarkarFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
1971Johar Mehmood in Hong KongMahesh
1971Naya ZamanaMahesh
1971Mere Apne
1972Bombay To GoaKhanna (Bus Conductor)Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1972Garam MasalaRajkumar Suraj Kumar
1973Do PhoolPavitra Kumar Rai "Puttan" / Mani (Double Role)Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1973JugnuMahesh
1974Pocketmaar[14]Sunder
1974Kunwara Baap[14]MaheshFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]. Mehmood also introduced music director Rajesh Roshan in this film
1974 Ujala Hi Ujala Saraswati
1974BadlaHippie
1974Duniya Ka MelaFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1975Salaakhen[14]Abdul Rehman
1975VardaanFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
1975QaidBajrangiFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1976Ginny Aur Johnny
1976Jai Bajrang BaliShakun
1976Sabse Bada RupaiyaFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role Nominated
1977AmaanatMahesh[14]
1977AafatMahesh
1977Thief of Baghdad[14]
1978Des PardesAnwar
1978Ek Baap Chhe BeteMahesh
1979Janta Hawaldar
NaukerDayalFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1980KhanjarJagat
1980Lootmaar
1980Man Pasand[14]Popat
1981HotelNawab Arshad Ali
Sannata[15] Marzabaan
1982SuraagFather of prospective bride
1982Khud-DaarJaganFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]
1986Ladies HostelMahesh BhattaKannada film with B. Sarojadevi in lead role
1987ImaandaarTiwarilal
MajaalShrichand Titarmare
1988FaislaJaggu
1993Shreemaan AashiqueMenaka's FatherSpecial Appearance in Last Scene of film
Khal-NaaikaaGangaram
TahqiqaatMicheal
1994JuaariAnita's Father
Chaand Kaa TukdaaBabumashay
Andaz Apna ApnaJohnny (Wah-Wah Productions)
1995Guddu
1996Dushman Duniya Ka[14]Bakrewale Baba
1998Ghar Bazar

Awards

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See also

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Further reading

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  • Zaveri, Hanif. Mehmood, a Man of Many Moods, Popular Prakashan, 2005. ISBN 81-7991-213-2

References

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  1. 1 2 Zaveri, Hanif (2005). Mehmood, a Man of Many Moods. Popular Prakashan. p. 50. ISBN 978-81-7991-213-3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Indian comedy actor Mehmood dies on BBC news website Published 23 July 2004, Retrieved 5 November 2019
  3. 1 2 3 Indian film comedian Mehmood dies at 72 Archived 7 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine Dawn (newspaper), Published 24 July 2004, Retrieved 7 November 2019
  4. ↑ "The sad truth about 'Comedy King' Mehmood". Yahoo! Entertainment. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Cine Blitz, Volume 13. Blitz Publications. 1987. p. xxii.
  6. ↑ "Lucky Ali (R), singer‑son of late Indian cinema's comedian Mehmood Ali, looks at his father's body at their farmhouse, Bangalore". Getty Images (AFP). 29 July 2004. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "Funeral of Mehmood Ali at Bangalore farmhouse". HamaraPhotos. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Mehmood and his nawabi connections". The Times of India. 29 July 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "When Mehmood gave Amitabh Bachchan his first lead role; became Big B's godfather". Times Now News. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "When Amitabh Bachchan's action shocked his one-time mentor Mehmood Ali". News18. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "Mehmood and his nawabi connections". The Times of India. 29 July 2004. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  12. ↑ Kaushik, Satish (10 July 2019). "Satish Kaushik revisits Chakra". First of Many (Interview). Interviewed by Mimansa Shekhar. New Delhi: The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "75 Bollywood Actors Who Conquered Hearts Of The Millions". Outlook India. 12 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Mehmood filmography". Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Rare Movies On VHS (12 October 2024). Vinod Mehra, Sarika & Deepak Parashar | Ramsay Superhit Thriller Movie | Sannata 1981. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via YouTube.
  16. 1 2 3 Farhana Farook (29 September 2015). "Remembering Mehmood". FILMFARE.com website. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
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