Gabbar Singh lives forever
Amjad Khan and Amitabh Bachan in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
It was year 1992, yours truly just taking his tentative steps into adulthood, yeah was in my early 20’s. It was also the age when we were all agog, exploring the brave new world of Cable TV. What a break from dreary old Doordarshan. Its another matter that the content on TV nowadays, makes me yearn for Doordarshan. And it was on July 27, that i heard the news, Amjad Khan had passed away of a heart attack. It was a shocker for me. Just a couple of days before, i had watched Muqaddar Ka Sikandar on my local cable channel. I could never forget Amjad Khan’s introduction as Dilawar in the movie, the inspector admonishing him, and he raising his face up, bored, lazy, with a ”who cares for you” expression on his face. And then his performance in the climax, when he realized that he had commited a mistake, his repentance. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, was an Amitabh Bachan show all the way , but Amjad Khan as Dilawar added an extra edge to the movie. His was more of a noble villian kind, the bad guy whom you end up empathizing with.
But then Amjad Khan, was not just another screen villian. Sure there was Pran, there was Amrish Puri, there was Danny , and then there was ”Loin” Ajit. But i honestly don’t recall, any time, when I referred to an actor by the name of his character, rather than his actual name. Yes for me, as a kid, he was always Gabbar Singh. I remember comming back from watching Dev Anand’s Des Pardes, as a kid. One of my aunts asked me who was in the movie, I could vaguely recollect Dev Anand, and some new heroine called Tina Munim, and was thinking about who the other actors were, and then it struck me, yeah there is Gabbar Singh in it. It was the same with Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, Parvarish, Ram Balram and a host of other Hindi masala flicks i saw as a kid. It was never Amjad Khan, it was always Gabbar Singh. And to think that Amjad Khan was not the first choice for role, and he got it only because Danny was busy with Feroze Khan’s Dharmatma. I guess it was a kind of divine intervention, you know the person up there, had willed that Amjad was fated to be Gabbar Singh. Because none else could have been. Till then most bad guys, in Hindi movies were the urbane, smooth, sophisticated kind who drank Scotch, had a sexy moll hanging on their arms, and plotted all kinds of strategies in weird looking dens. Gabbar was different, he was raw, crude, uncouth, his teeth stained with tobacco, gruff, unshaven. Wearing a faded army fatigues, and bullets draped over his shoulder, he was the kind of guy who struck terror. But it was Amjad’s performance as Gabbar, that would forever remain one of the best bad guy acts. Wild, feral, raw, intense with a maniacal laughter, he both fascinated and repelled the audiences. And he was diabolically cruel, chopping off the arms of a cop, massacring an entire family, shooting a little kid.
Gabbar Singh
Part of Gabbar’s appeal also lay in the manner in which director Ramesh Sippy, depicted his sadistic nature. One in the scene, where after massacring Thakur’s entire family, he finds the small kid, staring at him. He looks at him, with a kind of cruel glint in his eyes, no dialogue here, and points the gun at him. We are not shown what actually happened to the kid, but then enough hint is given later to deliver the point that it was a gruesome death. Another scene is when Sachin is captured and bought to his lair. His henchmen asks what is to be done with him, he says nothing, just hits a fly on his hand with vicious force. Again a pointer to his absolutely callous disregard for human life. It also helped the fact that Amjad had a heavy, tall build, and a deep throated voice. You could actually feel the uncouthness in his voice. When he delivers that maniacal laughter of his, you feel as nervous as the people around him do. Watch him in that famous ”Kitne Aadmi The” scene, he starts off with a cool measured tone, then into an admonishing tone “Poore Mitte mein mila diya”, and then his sly laugther, the way he changes his expressions effortlessly, everything is just so perfect. Sholay became one of those movies, where the bad guy became as popular as the heroes. “Kitne Aadmi The”, “Arre O Samba”, ”Poore pachaas Hazaar”, ”Bahut yaarana lagta hai”, are dialogues that are as popular today as they were. It was also the first time you had a villian endorsing products, when right after Sholay, Amjad nee Gabbar Singh, appeared in a host of ads for Parle G biscuits, with the tagline “Gabbar ki Asli Pasand”. Sholay had Amitabh Bachan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, all big stars in major roles, but Gabbar’s impact was something else. His dialogues were recited by kids, trying to impress others. They were a rage with the audiences, whistling and applauding every dialogue. And even now to date, they are used as catchlines in many movie based programs.
In Shatranj Ke Khilari
Amjad Khan was however much more than Gabbar Singh though. He was one of the finest actors, who could effortlessly slip into any role. And he was a person passionate about cinema, a method actor, who would actually throw himself into the role fully. He refused many movie assignments just for the role of Wajid Ali Shah in Satyajit Ray’s period classic, Shatranj Ke Khilari. As the pleasure loving last Nawab of the Avadh kingdom, who helplessly watches his kingdom slip away into British hands, Amjad was brilliant, revealing another side of his immense talent. He makes us empathize with him, as he wonderfully conveys the feelings of helplessness , especially in his encounters with the British General James Outram, played by Richard Attenborough. Wajid Ali Shah is more of a sympathetic character, some one who really has no interest in the day to day affairs of his kingdom, but is more interested in pursuing his artistic desires. You feel for him, in the final scene, when he hands over the kingdom to the British, singing a famous Thumri composed by him. In an ensemble cast featuring Sanjeev Kumar, Richard Attenborough, Victor Banerjee, Shabana Azmi amongst others, Amjad Khan still managed to make an impact in the role of the pleasure loving Nawab, overseeing the demise of his kingdom.
But that was Amjad Khan, for you, a person who was as comfortable with the masala flicks of Manmohan Desai, as he was with the more artsy world of Satyajit Ray, or the middle of road cinema of Basu Chatterjee. For me the best thing i love about Amjad ’s acting is the sheer effortlesness he bought into his performances. And for me nothing better to illustrate it than his performance as the gum chewing cop in Qurbani. The movie had two hot stars in Feroze Khan and Vinod Khanna, and of course Zeenie Baby’s red hot sexiness raising the temperature. But trust Amjad Khan to again literally steal the show, with an effortless performance bordering on the comic. The best part is Amjad manages to make you chuckle, without trying too hard. With his tongue in cheek repartee, his insouciant grin, his casual relaxed manner, Amjad Khan was just brilliant. Look out for his expressions in the “Qurbani, Qurbani” song, sly, grinning, with a kind of “Ok i caught you guys” expression on his face, fabulous. Though excellent in the baddie roles, for me Amjad Khan was one of the best comedians, with a brilliant sense of timing and his casual, relaxed manner. Another fabulous comic performance of his i recall was in Basu Chatterjee’s Chameli Ki Shaadi, one of the best Hindi comedies i have seen. A satirical take on small town morals and prejudices, Chameli ki Shaadi, had some wonderful performances from Anil Kapoor, Amrita Singh, Pankaj Kapoor, Om Prakash, but Amjad Khan literally carries the entire movie on his shoulders as Lawyer Harish. As Anil Kapoor’s love Guru, who helps him in his love with Chameli, played by Amrita Singh, and later the trouble shooter, when both their families oppose their marriage, his performance was fabulous. Especially in the climax scene, when he does a balancing act between both their families, and tricks them into agreeing, Amjad was brilliant. Amjad’s talent as a comedian was evident in many other movies too like Love Story, as the bumbling, good hearted hawaldar, with his ”Ludka-Ludki” dialogue, Zamanee ko Dikhana Hai, Achha Bura and even in Ram Balram, where he was more of comic villian kind.
When one thinks of Satte Pe Satta, the first scene that comes to mind is the by now classic “Daaru peene se liver Kharab ho jaata hain” scene, which to date remains one of my favorite comic scenes. It was again a total Amitabh Bachan scene, when he unwillingly reveals details about his brothers to Amjad Khan, playing the proverbial sweet talking wicked uncle, who plans to bump off his niece, to get hold of the property. Amitabh is of course brilliant, in that scene, but what is often overlooked is Amjad’s performance in that scene. Amjad’s cool, relaxed demeanour to Amitabh’s hyperactive nature, gives that scene its strength. Especially as he plays along with Amitabh Bachan, and which culminates in the part, Amitabh kisses him on one cheek, and he motions to him to give a peck on another. Also the way he tags along with whatever Amitabh says, slyly getting out all the details he needs. For that matter Amitabh and Amjad made a fabulous combo on screen. AB did feud around with many bad guys, but his face offs with Amjad Khan, were something special. Both these actors, seemed to bring out the best in each other, and even now to date, i just love watching AB and Amjad Khan, indulge in their face offs, be it Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kaalia, Mr. Natwarlal, Parvarish, Ganga Ke Saugandh, both these actors together made for some memorable screen face offs. As also Yaarana, in which the 2 real life friends, played reel life friends. The movie was good in its first half, with some good comic sequences, especially Amjad Khan getting exasperated with Amitabh’s rustic antics, but for me, it just lost its way in the second half.
Chor Police was Amjad Khan’s dream project, he wanted to make a stylish, slick action thriller, something on the lines of the Hollywood action flicks of the 70’s and 80’s. It was something Amjad had put his everything on, his money, his effort, his passion. Sadly it was going to be one of the most bitter episodes of his life. The movie starring Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi and Amjad himself, was quite a slick, action thriller, and pretty much violent. It was the violence that drew the ire of the Censor Board, who wanted some scenes to be cut from the movie which they felt were too violent. Amjad refused to do so, leading to a long struggle with the censors, that exhausted him. Finally the movie was released with cuts, and an A certificate, but it flopped badly at the box office, leaving Amjad in a precarious position, that broke him down. I felt the movie was quite a decent thriller, but i guess the audiences then found it too slick. The failure of Chor Police, was something which Amjad Khan would not recover from. And with his next directorial venture Ameer Aadmi, Gareeb Aadmi also proving to be a flop, he did not venture into direction again.
In sharp contrast to his on screen villianous image, off screen, Amjad Khan, was one of the finest human beings, a person with a heart of gold. A true gentleman in real life, he would never turn away any one needing help. He was a friend in whom you could trust, and some one whom you could always rely on. Being on friendly terms with every one, he was often called into settle disputes between actors and producers/directors. Stories and anecdotes about his generous nature still abound in the movie industry today. Sadly for such a wonderful actor, human being, his final years were really painful and tragic. The drugs he had taken for his treatment after a near fatal accident, had adverse side effects on his body, as his weight increased drastically. Add to it the failure of Chor Police, and also the struggles he had broke him financially as well as mentally. It was sad to see this great actor, who once terrified movie goers on screen, being reduced to clowning and buffoning around in meaningless movies. It was indeed heart breaking to watch this great actor reduced to a glorified comic extra in roles that did no justice to his talent. Indeed his role as a Thakur waiting to die in Rudaali, was something mirroring his real life.
Amjad Khan has left us 17 years back, physically. But even now he still lives on in the minds and hearts of cine goers. If not for anything else, as Gabbar Singh. We will always remember you Amjad Khan, as Gabbar Singh, but also for your wonderful performances in a host of other movies. You have redefined villiany, and frightened us for a major part of your career. But you have also made us chuckle, weep with your performances.
Tags: amjad khan, Gabbar Singh, ramesh sippy, satyajit ray, Shatranj Ke Khilari, sholay
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That was a wonderful homage to Amjad Khan a.k.a Gabbar Singh.What a co-incidence I have been thinking of all the Bollywood villains today after reading Akshay’s post and now I see this.I completely agree that the AB – AK combination rocked.I think they created magic on screen.
Great tribute to one of the greatest actors of Indian Cinema
Wonderful post on this forgotten legend. IMO his tragedy was Gabbar Singh dominated the Amzad Khan throughout his life.
His performance in Qurbaani was my favorite one and he literally steals the show whenever appears on screen. He was pretty good in Ram Balram too as a comic villain. Just remember the way is calls Dharmendra as ‘Bholu Ram’.
Thanks for the article.
Excellent homage. Glad you mentioned his performances in Satranj Ke Khiladi and Chameli Ki Shadi ( I agree on being one of the best Hindi comedy) !
Did you notice how submissive Pankaj Kapoor was as Chameli’s dad ?
@ Sethu
There are baddies and then there was Gabbar,oops, i mean Amjad Khan. Not just Sholay, even in quite a number of other movies, where he played the bad guy, Amjad Khan, created a menance on screen, with his expressions, his dialogue delivery. You could sense the fear in the air. Also his fabulous voice helped, i dont think any 1 can laugh as maniacally as him.
@ Knight Rider:
I am not sure if i can call him a forgotten legend, i mean as long as Sholay is alive in memories of movie goers, none can ever forget him.
But agree with u on the Gabbar aspect dominating his persona. I guess thats why he tried to branch out into various other roles, comic, emotional. He sure was one of a kind of actor. Its sad though he has never been given an award for his performances, the least some one can do is to present a Honorary Award for this wonderful actor.
@ Uh
Yeah i know Chamel Ki Shaadi is one of your personal favorites. BTW would love to see a review on this flick from you. There are many fans of this movie out here on PFC. Pankaj Kapoor rocked as Kallumal in the movie.
And what about Inkaar?? Saw it as a kid and khan sahib gave me nightmares after that. Super performance.
May his soul rest in peace.
@ DK
My bad, forgot about Inkaar, remains one of my favorite flicks. Though remade from Kurosawa’s “High and Low”, the Hindi version was quite slick and fast paced. And yes ur right Amjad Khan’s performance as the kidnapper was fabulous, really scary.
great write up ,you are really his true fan…
AMJAD KHAN saab! “THE” villain & versatile actor of Hindi cinema! Nice post! Thanks RATNAKAR!
Excellent Article! I remember the 1st ever Big B movie that i’d ever watched was Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Amjad Khan stood out back then,I even cried when both Sikandar and Dilawar died in the end….And i agree with you about Chameli Ki Shaadi,His dialogues in the movie are simply hilarious…I’d like to mention one of his last performances,As the dying landlord in Rudaali,he was really good
Thanks Vikram, yep me too felt for both Sikandar and Dilawar, who was more of a noble villian kind. Its quite an irony that his final screen appearance, should be that of a person on his death bed, by then itself he was totally unrecognizable.
Yeah, he stood out in every role. He was awesome in Love story (Kumar Gaurav) as the fumbling constable!
Vinay, yeah the “Ek Ludka-Ek Ludki” dialogue in Love Story still rings in my mind.
Excellent homage Ratnakar…..
I remember watching one movie long time back which has him as villian and Vinod Khanna in the lead, it was based on some kidnapping I think. Was a well made, fast paced flick. Any idea which movie it was?
The movie was Inkaar, yeah pretty good thriller. It was taken from Kurosawa’s “High and Low” though. Raj Sippy, did make some good movies, Inkaar, Satte Pe Satta, Boxer, but after that most of his movies were total crap.
Amjad Khan was a very accomplished actor. As an actor he possessed a vast range.
King – pauper,
villain- sage,
comic – tragic,
He could play variety of characters with equal ease. Apart from his instinct, his education in psychology might have helped him a lot to bring different nuances to his portrayals in his two decades long acting career.
There are atleast 60-70 films where his acting still can earn a new admirer if a person is watching him first time on screen.
My memory is not supporting me and for some 9-10 days I have been trying to recall the film of 80s where he played a king of small state who opposes the freedom movement of India and supports British regime and oppresses freedom fighters and as soon as India gets independence on 15th August 1947 he immediately wears Khadi, Kurta Payjama and puts a Gandhi cap on his head and becomes a congressi leader to become a minister.
His memorable roles are in parallel cinema or in off beat films and he has Dada like films in commercial category also where he has played the title role.
It was a sad thing that he also had to do useless and almost trashy comedy roles where he had to say double meaning dialogues in the films made after 1983. That was his downfall. And few good offbeat films like Lekin, Mohan Joshi Hajir ho, Utsav etc saved his reputation as a good actor.
RK, i guess the movie you are referring to is Desh Premee, the AB-Manmohan Desai starrer.
He was brilliant in Mohan Joshi.., as well as his final screen appearance in Rudali. I think he also made an appearance in Muhafiz, but have not seen the movie.
Regarding Dada, i recall the promos of that movie as a kid, the poster had Amjad Khan only in it, and i think it had some tagline, “He is going to frighten you” or something on those lines. Though Vinod Mehra was the hero of the movie, it was Amjad Khan all over in the publicity. Dont have any idea about the movie, though, except that it contained one good Yesudas song “Dil Ke Tukde”
nice one ratnakar….gabbar and sholay will be alive forever…my other fav of amjad’s were qurbani, chameli ki shaadi, mohabbat (i dint like movie that much but ajmad was superb), MuQaddar ka sikandar. Hey any body have heard about “Andheri Raath main diya tere haath main”….i dont remember much of this movie except for that it had amjad khan….
Prashant, i guess that was one of the 2 movies he did with Dada Kondke, other than dont have any idea about it.
ok…even IMDB does not have much info on that
@Ratnakar,
No, It is difficult to forget Manmohan Desai’s films. They are so easy to remember.
It was an off beat film and Amjad’s portion was just a small part of the film.
I suspect it was part of Sudhir Mishra’s debut film “Ye wo manjil to nahin”. Or some film released around same time.
Anyway.
Dada was based on Amjad Khan’s character and Vinod Mehra and Bindiya Goswami were there to show the presence for the sake of having positive characters. It was about transformation of Amjad Khan’s character from a bad Dada to a normal good human being.
Usha Khanna gave very good music and apart from Dil ke Tukde tukde which brought success (ultimately) to Yesudas in Hindi films, film had many good songs.
Qawali – Parde mein koi baitha hai
Panjabi Chorus – Gaddi jaandee hai chhalanga maar dee
and a wonderful prayer song – Allah karam karna maula tu reham karna (Suman Kalyanpur). Such fast paced bhajan type songs are rare.
Then there was a Lata song, Chali Mathura ki gujariya mukh pe ghunghat taane.
and few more which I can not recall at present. It was a good album having voices of many singers namely
Dilraj Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Shamshad Begum, Lata, Suman Kalyanpur, Mohd Rafi, Shailendra Singh etc.