Mehmood Ali

Mehmood Ali ( popularly called Mehmood ) was perhaps the best and very popular comedy actor of hindi film’s golden period .
He was born at bombay on
29th, September, 1932 to his father – Mumtaz Ali , a famous film and drama actor during 1940s and 1950s . Mehmood had 7 siblings. Besides being an actor ; he was also a singer , director and producer . In his illustrious filmy career of almost 40 years , he worked in more than 300 films .
Mehmmod struggled a lot in his early youth selling poultry items to doing odd jobs to working as a driver before because of his father’s connections, he started getting smaller roles as a child artist in hindi films beginning with 1943 film kismet in which he played the childhood role of hero – Ashok kumar.
His initial films thereafter were Sanyasi , Nadaan – (A 1951 film in which when a junior actor failed to perform , he took his place and delivered the dialogues in a single take opposite famous actress – Madhu bala) , film Maa ( 1952) , Do bigha Zamin (1953 as a pea nut seller ) , Naukri ( 1954 as a pick pocket , CID ( 1956) amongst others .
After every film , in which he performed in a side role or as comedian ; his popularity graph kept rising with recognition and fame . In fact he became the most sought after comedian in the films made in 1960s and 1970s bringing him several awards . Some of his prominent films are mentioned in part-2 .
Mehmood’s presence and excellence of comic timing and acting skills with typical and amusing Huderabadi hindi style was such that he had almost become a must for every film during those times whether the film was a thriller, a horror, or a romantic. Every director’s priority used to be to carve out a role for Mehmood in his movie .
He was really good at playing the film hero’s friend who would help him out of sticky situations with his smart ways .
Mehmood’s illustrious film career was second to none as he had worked relentlessly to become one of the true comedy king of Indian cinema during 60s to 70s and on the strength of his talent . With his exceptional performances in over 300 films, he had received 19 nominations for awards for the Best Performance in a Comic Role .
Mehmood and Tamil Comedian Nagesh were heavily influenced by the American Comedian Jerry Lewis and both had copied his comedy and dancing style and Just like, Martin and Lewis, Mehmood also formed a comical partnership with another Bollywood commedy legend I. S. Johar.
Mehmood was very popular for his acting prowess , humbleness and for helping people including several film actors in their career like he gave a break to famous music RD Burman by engaging him for his production film Chhotey Nawab .
With the rise of new comedy actors like Asrani, Paintal , kadar khan and deven verma , his popularity began diminishing from 1980s onwards though he always remained in the minds of film audience and his fans .
He won Best Comedian Awards for 1967 film Pyar Kiye Jaa , for 1970 film Waris , for 1972 film Paras ,
and 1975 film Vardaan . He also won best supporting actor award for his film Dil tera diwana of 1963 .
Mehmood used to frequently meet actress Meena Kumar for teaching her tennis and it is then that he came closer to her sister Madhu Kumari and then both married in 1953 but for some reasons the couple separated in 1967 .
Mehmood then took tracy ali as his second wife and from both the wives he had 7 children of whom son Lucky ali became a singer, lyricist and music composer .
Mehmood’s highly successful stint in hindi cinema came to an end on 23, july, 2004 when he died in his sleep in pennsylvania , USA while undergoing treatment for his ailing heart leaving behind his innumerable fans in mourning.

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Five stars