Utpal Dutt
Although Utpal Dutt has portrayed a couple of funniest characters in Hindi films, such as the moustache-loving Bhavani Shankar in Gol Maal (1979) and tough as nails Police Inspector Durendra Bhatavdekar in Rang Birangi (1983), the thespian’s body of work transcends comedy.
AgantukCinemaazi
Known as one of the greatest actors ever in Bengali stage and cinema to limit Dutt to just a comedian would be a gross injustice.
Aaj Ki Taaza KhabarCinemaazi
Paintal
A graduate of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Kanwarjit Paintal’s Guruji in Bawarchi (1972), Salma in Rafoo Chakkar (1975) and Champak Boomia in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973) would be counted as the stand out comic performances.
Yet in a carer spanning nearly five-decades, Paintal could never really exert as much influence on the medium as he was capable.
Jagdeep
Arguably one of the most recognised comedians ever in Hindi cinema, Jagdeep had a long innings but when it came to memorable characters, nothing ever came close to his Soorma Bhoplai in Sholay (1975).
SholayCinemaazi
Perhaps one iconic role is enough to warrant a place amongst the greatest ever but most roles across Jagdeep’s career never went beyond providing a momentary relief.
Pyar Ka MandirCinemaazi
Aruna Irani
In the 1980s and for a brief period in the 1990s, Aruna Irani transformed into a popular comic actor.
No one could match her when it came to playing the classical domestic help with a heart of gold such as Gangubai in Sansar (1987) but unfortunately, she never got enough chances.
Ravi Baswani
As luck would have it, Ravi Baswani featured in what is considered one of India’s most popular comedies, which automatically should warrant his name in all-time greats.
But to categorise Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983) as a simplistic comedy is great injustice to the film.
Peechha KarroCinemaazi
Baswani also featured in the seminal Chashme Buddoor (1981) and the madcap Peecha Kar (1986) but his style is too unlike typical Hindi film comedy.
Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher was the record for winning the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian five times for Ram Lakhan (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khel (1992), Darr (1993) and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and ought to be on the all-time great list.
Hum Hain Kamaal KeCinemaazi
The reason why he is not there lies in the fact that his other work far outweighs his comic characters.
Deewana MastanaCinemaazi
Moreover, Kher’s comedy is limited not in terms of the talent but the characters he portrayed.
Happy New YearCinemaazi
Boman Irani
The last of the great characters actors, had Boman Irani been around in any other era he would have been in the league of a Sanjeev Kumar or Balraj Sahni.
Having made his bones in the hilarious Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003) and later Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006) and later Main Hoon Na, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and Housefull, Irani has excellent comic timing and is naturally gifted but the inability to leave a bigger mark on the genre keeps him away from the all-time greats.
Text: Gautam Chintamani
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