A. K. Hangal Indian Bollywood Actor

A. K. Hangal (Avtar Kishan Hangal) was an Indian actor and independence fighter who lived from 1 February 1914 to 26 August 2012.

In addition to his 16 films with Rajesh Khanna, his most well-known performances are those of Ram Shastri in Aaina (1977), the antagonist in Prem Bandhan, Bipinlal Pandey in Namak Haraam, Imaam Saa’b in Sholay, and Anokhelal in Manzil. Over his career, which spanned from 1966 to 2005, he appeared in over 225 Hindi films.

Early life

Avtar Kishan Hangal was raised in Peshawar, the North-West Frontier Province, where he played several significant parts in theater. He was born into a Kashmiri Pandit family in Sialkot, in the Punjab Province of British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan). According to his memoirs, his family’s residence was located inside Reti Gate. Pandit Hari Kishan Hangal was the name of his father. His mother was Ragia Hundoo. There were two sisters for him. Kishan and Bishan. He was wed to the Agra native Manorma Dar. But during most of his early years, he worked as a tailor. From 1929 to 1947, he actively took part in the Indian independence movement.

In 1936, he became a member of Peshawar’s Shree Sangeet Priya Mandal, a theater troupe, and acted in several performances throughout independent India until 1946. After his father retired, the family relocated to Karachi from Peshawar. After serving three years in prison in Pakistan, he relocated to Bombay following the Partition of India in 1949. He was associated with the Marxist-leaning theatrical group IPTA, which also included Balraj Sahni and Kaifi Azmi. He was imprisoned for two years, from 1947 to 1949, in Karachi for his communist beliefs. Upon his release, he traveled to India and resided in Mumbai. Later, between 1949 and 1965, he performed in several plays at Indian theaters.

Hindi cinema career

At 52 years old, he made his Hindi film debut in Basu Bhattacharya’s Teesri Kasam (1966) and Shagird. He then went on to portray the man of principles in films from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, either as the leading man or woman’s father or uncle or, occasionally, as the stereotypical old man who is meek and oppressed. Heer Raanjha, Namak Haraam, Shaukeen (1981), Sholay, Aaina (1977), Avtaar, Arjun, Aandhi, Tapasya, Kora Kagaz, Bawarchi, Chhupa Rustam, Chitchor, Balika Badhu, Guddi, and Naram Garam are a few of the movies he starred in that are regarded as some of his greatest.

Up to Sautela Bhai in 1996, he appeared as a character actor in sixteen films starring Rajesh Khanna as the main character, including Aap Ki Kasam, Deep, Naukri, Prem Bandhan, Thodisi Bewafaii, Phir Wohi Raat, Kudrat, Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar, and Bewafai. His character parts in Tere Mere Sapne (1997) and Lagaan, as well as Shararat (2002), were his strongest performances in his latter years. He has acted in a great deal of good character parts in films, with a few notable outliers where his negative performances, such as those in Manzil and Prem Bandhan, were well-known. In 2001, he also starred in an NFDC film under the direction of Gul Bahar Singh called DATTAK (The Adopted).

For the character of Inder Sen, producer Debika Mitra had recruited Madan Puri, but a friend suggested that A. K. Hangal would be a better fit. The outstanding performance became one of Hangal’s most beloved performances. Hangal ‘walked’ the ramp in a wheelchair for Mumbai-based fashion designer Riyaz Ganji’s summer collection on February 8, 2011.

In May 2012, Hangal made his final appearance in a cameo in the television series Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. Madhubala’s Ek Ishq Ek Junoon served as a celebration of a century of Indian film history. Hangal was featured on an episode that aired on Colors on June 1 at 22:00. Hangal provided the voice of King Ugrasen in the animated film Krishna Aur Kans, which was released on August 3, 2012. This was done at the beginning of 2012. This was the last project he completed before passing away. Critics found his portrayal of Ugrasen to be quite good.

Awards

In 2006, the Indian government bestowed upon him the Padma Bhushan in recognition of his contributions to Hindi cinema.

Health and financial issues

Due to his advanced age after 2007, Hangal, who had more than 200 films to his credit throughout a nearly five-decade career, found it impossible to pay for his medical bills. At the age of 75, his son Vijay, a former Bollywood photographer and retired cameraman, has not held a full-time position since 2001. The family experienced financial troubles as a result. Although Vijay used to take on odd jobs, he eventually developed back issues that prevented him from working. Hangal developed a sickness[which?] after 2007 and was unable to pay for treatment.

At this moment, a number of movie actors and directors [who?] pledged to provide him with financial support when he received media attention on January 20, 2011. Prithviraj Chavan, the chief minister of Maharashtra, has promised to support the renowned actor. Prior to that, Hangal was visited at home by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers who offered him financial and medical support. Additionally, they made the media cover the veteran’s work and revitalized memories of it. Raj Thackeray highlighted his worries about such performers who are ignored in their senior years when he was asked.

The actor recently appeared in the 2005 film Paheli, directed by Amol Palekar. As a matter of fact, he had spent the previous eight months indoors. “When he left the house, it astonished us. His son Vijay remarked, “My father had been at home for the past few months. He would have done it only for acting.” Senior channel executives and program producer Saurabh Tiwari visited our home to make the role offer. In the last several years, he has been approached by several directors. But because of health problems, father did not pursue those.”

After seven long years, A. K. Hangal faced the studio lights once more. The 97-year-old actor wasn’t sure his body could withstand it after arriving in a wheelchair at the Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon TV series sets. But the performer within couldn’t be stopped once the cameras began to film.

Freedom fighter

When Hangal joined demonstrations against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in the North West Frontier Province while still a student, he became involved in the Indian freedom struggle. After that, he relocated to Karachi, where he was imprisoned for three years for opposing British authority. He is also connected to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. The mother of A. K. Hangal was the first cousin to Jawahar’s wife, Kamla Nehru.

Death

After suffering a fractured thigh bone from an accident in his bathroom, Hangal was admitted to the Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, on August 16, 2012. He went to the hospital because, in his son’s words, he “had to have surgery due to a back injury.” But that was not feasible, as it was subsequently found that he had chest and pulmonary problems.” On August 26, he was put on life support. According to Dr. Vinod Khanna, the orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, “he is on life support.” One of the lungs is malfunctioning.

He is experiencing respiratory issues as well.” However, his health deteriorated, and he passed on that same day at the age of 98. The next day, his funeral took place at Pavan Hans Crematorium.

Shabana Azmi posted on Twitter upon his passing, saying, “An era comes to an end.” He enhanced both theater and cinema.” Hangal was a dedicated social and political activist who resisted the Shiv Sena’s attack, according to the Communist Party of India. His passing was also regretted by L. K. Advani and Nitin Gadkari of the BJP.

A. K. Hangal Movie List

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