Veteran actor Avtar Kishan Hangal, popularly known as A.K. Hangal and best remembered for his role as Rahim Chacha in the iconic film Sholay, passed away here on Sunday morning.
“He passed away at the hospital at 9 a.m.,” his son Vijay Hangal told The Hindu. The 95-year-old actor had been hospitalised since August 16. For the last two days, his condition was critical and he had been taken off ventilator support.
Character artists of film, television and theatre paid tributes to the thespian at his funeral in Mumbai. Mr. Hangal’s body was consigned to the flames at 1.15 p.m. The Hindi movie industry, however, where Mr. Hangal worked for decades, was conspicuous by its absence.
Mr. Hangal became a household name with his performance of Rahim Chacha – a blind old man in Sholay. At acting workshops, Mr. Hangal often spoke of this role. As Rahim Chacha he delivered the memorable lines, “Itna sannata kyon hai, bhai.” (Why is there so much silence).
He used to say, ‘I often looked for my eye as a blind person would,” actor Akhilendra Mishra said. Having acted with Mr. Hangal in the movie Lagaan, he recalled the actor’s resilience in the face of physical discomfort.
“He had had a fall, but he was determined to give the shot. He came to the set on a stretcher and gave the shot. The 1,000-strong unit applauded,” Mr. Mishra said.
Keywords: Bollywood filmdom, A.K. Hangal
An actor who can't be defined in words. All roles played by him are landmarks of
that film. He shall always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.
The film Guide, though much to the disappointment of the celebrated writer, R K Narayan, the silver line in the film was the acting of Hangal that came out so well as an archeologist (Marcos) exploring caves. He was a real match to Waheeda Rehman acting in that film. Who can ever forget him and his talents?
He was basically a Kashmiri. We have great pleasure having a Bollywood
character of such a high stature and loosing him is a loss to Kashmir in
particular. May his soul live in peace and may God give strength to his
nears and dears to bear the loss.
of yesteryears Hangal is one of the wise and decent actors of the day. he was like a
family member when seen in the pictures.good memories
A very long life of 95 years has now come to an end. It is another loss
for Bollywood, coming soon after that of Rajesh Khanna, who died last
month.
AK Hangal was an actor with admirable intelligence and progressive outlook. Originally form the theatre, the actor had his share of Marxist leaning in his political beliefs, which he never shrouded in personal mystery. He is best remembered as a character actor for his memorable roles in Namak Haraam, Sholay, Avtaar, etc. His cameos role as a pious Muslim in Sholay won him accolades in the minds of the movie-goers. Unfortunately, recognitions eluded him except a Padma Bhushan in 2006 belatedly. AK Hangal never minced his words in the socio-political issues the country faced from time to time for which he was hunted down by the right-wingers many a time.
A K Hangal's forte was character roles and he proved his versatility in such roles in several films. Although he was no means a dominating presence on screen as his performances were few and far between, he could hold his own against reputed actors and was never sidelined by any of them. Hangal saab was also a freedom fighter and a Padma Bhushan awardee.
The passing away of the veteran character roles actor A.K.Hangal is a great loss for all film lovers, specially those who sought quality and decency in characterisation of roles through acting. He had played a number of memorable roles in Hindi films that are par excellence. The ease and simplicity with which he used to depict his roles are suggestive of he being a simple man in the real life too. I offer my respectful 'naman' to this great actor on his demise.
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