Mehmood - The King Of Comedy

Mehmood, the name sends us in peals of laughter. He is acknowledged as The King Of Comedy in Indian Cinema because of his mastery and the art of mimicry which he used quite effectively in living his characters. July 23 marks the death anniversary of the legendary comedian, who was also a talented director and producer. Raaga.Com pays him homage and remembers the few movies that makes him immortal. 

Mehmood hit stardom by winning his first Filmfare Award as Best supporting actor in DIL TERA DIWANA (1963). In this movie Mehmood was confronted against Shammi Kapoor, who was known for his command in comedy. Interestingly, Mehmood overshadowed Shammi Kapoor and went away stealing the prestigious Filmfare award. 

It was in this movie that Mehmood played his famous ’Hyderabadi’ character which appealed the viewers so much that later Mehmood repeated it in several movies. It was after this movie that rumours spread that leading ’stars ’ sidelined Mehmood as he stole the thunder! Shammi Kapoor also avoided Mehmood for many years and preferred Rajendranath instead as his comedian. It was only after eight to ten years later the two came together in TUMSE AACHA KAUN HAI. 

Besides Shammi Kapoor, Mehmood also overshadowed eminent comedian Kishore Kumar in the movie PYAAR KIYE JAA. Even today viewers cannot forget the classic scene in which Mehmood, who plays an aspiring film director, tries to convince his miser father (Om Prakash) to finance his film by narrating him the story. The ghostly tale that Mehmood narrates with sound effects and facial expression sent the viewers in peals of laughter. Yet again Mehmood won a Filmfare award, proving his mastery in art of comedy. 

Readers would be surprised to know from 1967 to 1977, the entire decade Mehmood won Filmfare nomination consecutively ech year non stop. For readers information the nominations were 1967 - LOVE IN TOKYO; 1968 – MEHRBAN; 1969- NEEL KAMAL – and SADHU AUR SHAITAAN; 1970 - MERI BHABHI; 1971 - HUMJOLI; 1972 - MAIN SUNDER HOON ; 1973 - BOMBAY TO GOA; 1974 - DO PHOOL; 1975 - DUNIYA KA MELA and KUNWARA BAAP; 1976 - QAID and 1977 - SABSE BADA RUPAIYA. 

Among these movies Mehmood won awards for 1967 PYAR KIYE JAA; 1970 – WARIS; 1972 - PARAS and 1975 VARDAAN. 

Mehmood died on 23 July 2004, in his sleep in Pennsylvania, US, where he had gone for treatment of heart disease.