Ajit: A Villain of 1970s in Bollywood films
In 1970s, Indian Cinema developed the Villain Character on the screen as
underworld smuggler or Don and most of the roles of such character have been
played by versatile actor Ajit. He had born on 27th January 1922 as
Hamid Ali Khan in Golkonda, Andhra Pradesh. He did his early education in
Warangal and studied in Government Junior college, Hanamkoda in Warangal
District. Due to his handsome features and good build, he decided to join in
film as hero. One day without informing his parents, he landed in the center of
Hindi film industry in Mumbai
From Yogesh Gogwekar
In Mumbai, he struggled to get the work in film industry. He started
working as extra in many films. He started realising that his name Hamid Khan
was not giving him luck. Director K Amarnath advised him to change his name and
he took Hindu name Ajit means indomitable and this scree-name has become more
popular. With this name, he started his career as a lead actor in 1950s in
Bollywood films like Nastik , Bada Bhai, Bara Dari. Later on, he started doing
the character roles in classic films like Naya Daur made in 1957 and
Mugal-E-Azam in 1960. The real success came into his life, when he switched
over his role to play the villain in film Suraj, latter followed by Zanjeer and
Yaadon Ki Barat.
In the famous 1973 film Zanjeer, Ajit is menacing Tejaa, and this role
was new twist to the villain’s repertoire. He changed complete scenario
of villain. Instead of shouting and hollering, Ajit starts speaking slowly and
portrayed character as sophisticated, educated and far more sinister killer.
For this, he presented himself in western attire as the silk smuggler with his
large collection of bathrobes, white suits, and gold-rimmed glasses. And such
talented actor had become a variable cult figure. His dialogues like Mona
Darling in Yaadon Ki Barat, Lilly don’t be silly in Zanjeer and one word ‘lion’
in Kalicharan and also one of the best dialogues,” Robert give him some Hamlet-poison.
From to be, he will become not to be”, were famous.
Ajit died on 22nd October 1998 due to sudden heart attack. He
will always be remembered as a lion of Hindi film.
Mumbai
20/05/2020.
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