Remembering ‘Samba’ fame Mac Mohan in Sholay
Remembering ‘Samba’ fame Mac Mohan in Sholay
It crops up as an interesting story that neither can anyone delete nor transform fate – whatever written is bound to happen.
Nevertheless, this fate affords everyone a chance at some point of time. While some fail to capitalize on it, some hit such a four on the opportunity that their life changes.
Something similar happened with actor Mac Mohan, who turned famous and became an household name by playing the character of Sambha in ‘Sholay’.
This film transformed his entire life, but not many know that this actor who landed in Mumbai, the Mecca of Hindi films, from the streets of Lucknow never ever dreamt of becoming an actor.
Mac Mohan, is Karachi (Pakistan) born. Before setting his foot including the glamour world, Mac Mohan was recognized as Mohan Makhijani. Due to his father’s transfer, Mac Mohan had to move from Karachi to the city of Nawabs, Lucknow and he completed his studies from there.
Popular as a villain in films at that time around, it wasn’t Mac Mohan’s wish to be an actor, but a cricketer since he was fond of cricket. His passion for cricket was such that after working hard, he started playing for the cricket team of Uttar Pradesh.
Mac Mohan, who was on the path of making his passion a career, felt that the best training of cricket is given only and only in Mumbai. Keeping this in mind, he came to Mumbai in 1952.
This is how he got interested in acting
The city of dreams, which never sleeps, Mumbai, is unique, no matter what kind of dream anyone comes here with, he gets influenced by glamour. Something similar happened with Mac Mohan. When Mac Mohan, who had come to get training in cricket, saw theatre in Mumbai, he became crazy about it. When the actor’s friend told him about a role in Shaukat Kaifi’s play, Mac Mohan went to him to ask for work. This is where Mac Mohan’s acting career started.
After working in plays, acting bug bit Mac Mohan in 1964, when he first appeared on the silver screen in the film ‘Haqiqat’. After this film, he worked in many films, but he got recognition in the industry from a small role in ‘Sholay’.
The small role of Sambha in ‘Sholay’ turned Mac Mohan’s life upside down. This role became his lifelong identity. After this, he continued to shine as a villain on the silver screen with Amitabh Bachchan and other big superstars. The result was that the actor worked in about 175 films in his 46-year career, but the film that proved to be the last film of his career was ‘Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge’.
Amidst the shoot of this Paresh Rawal starrer film, Mac Mohan’s health deteriorated and he was admitted to the hospital. Mac Mohan was diagnosed with a tumor in his lungs, amidst the treatment of which his health deteriorated and he died a year later.
News Edit KV Raman
