Unnoticed names in Bollywood - 2

Continuing the saga of  unnoticed names in Bollywood.  All of these guys are perhaps a little more known than those in part-1. Several of their roles are immortal in our mind yet I feel they've never got any acclaim for their iconic roles.

Harish Patel (career span 1983 - )


I always thought he's a well known face in Hindi Cinema. I remember him in Andaz Apna Apna, the epic Kanti Shah classic Gunda and even in Mira Nair's Kamasutra! He's played a happy go lucky character in most of his movies. Like the unique baddie Gulshan Grover, he's always had a patent catch phrase in all of his movies.
The "Mera naam hai ibu hatela" in Gunda, exaggerated "Haiiiiiiiiii" in Mohra or the assistant in Pulic Public.

For me, his Sevaram in Andaz Apna Apna stands out!

Razak Khan (career span 1989 - )

For an entire Indian generation, this man   represented the antithesis of a typical Bollywood villain or Bhai. He'd often appear as a local ruffian with little or no evidence to support that claim. The unique combination his lean built and mean attitude created an amazing onscreen character. Best of him can be seen in the hilarious Ninja Chacha or Takkar pehelwan.

Mushtaq khan (Career span 1980 - )
"Hum idiot ho sakta hoon, bewakoof ho sakta hoon, gadha bhi ho sakta hoon- lekin hum zoota nahin hoon!". This Japan returned employee in Hum hai raahi pyar ke is one of my most beloved characters! Mushtaq khan has played several roles like this, prominently appearing in most of 90's movies with his enthusiasm and slightly idiosyncratic behavior. He's been a regular in Bhatt camp movies. I always felt he's much more to offer than the typical comic character he's often been cast into.



Chandrashekher (Career span 1951- 2001?)
It's astonishing how soon we forget a commonly appearing face on the silver screen. Chandrashekhar has been around for over 60 years now, he appeared in a lead role way back in 50's, tried his luck in directing movies, appeared in a hell lot of films in 80's and 90's as police commissioner or an honest leader, and now he's almost forgotten. A strange appearance on IMDB shows his name credited as "Airlines Ground staff 2" in 3 Idiots. I tried looking for him but couldn't see him on airport. I sincerely hope he's doing well financially since he's almost into 90s now!

Mahavir Shah (Career span 1977 - )

I somehow felt that if you take out his grey eyes, this man would certainly seem a benevolent creature. His eyes play the menacing Machiavellian role that he's perfected by now. In almost all of his movies he's been the shrewd yet malevolent accountant, a lawyer, a businessmen with unethical habits - in short the smart villain sidekick.

Mahavir Shah, I hate you! Perhaps that's the compliment he deserves.But I'd love to see him play a good humble human just once.

Veerendra Saxena (Career span 1975 - )
I love this guy. Unfortunately his appearance limits the roles he gets, but he always does justice. He's been around since 80s, but off late he's really getting the roles which brings out the best in him. I vividly remember the havaldar in Stoneman Murders, the frustrated gangster with tooth-ache in Ek chalis ki last local, the less than vigilant inspector in A wednesday, Babaji in Sankat City and many more. He can be used like a potent weapon in the new wave Hindi Cinema, I hope he gets more meaty roles.

Upasana Singh (Career span 1980 - )
Although her wiki page tells me that she's been a known face in Punjabi and Gujrati movies, I don't think many people know her in Hindi cinema by her name. She's truly a remarkable person in Industry- a female character actor who doesn't stereotype herself to one role. Wow! Does Bollywood really understand what that means? Kudos to Upasana Singh! We've been mystified by her ever enigmatic chants of abba-dabba-jabba in Judai,  she entertained the terrorists in Sarfarosh, her antiques kept the movie alive in Hungama and Hulchul. Keep up the good work Ma'am!

Rajesh Vivek (Career Span  1985 - )

Once a patent Tantrik and bandit of Hindi Cinema, Rajesh Vivek turned into a mini celebrity post Lagaan and Swades. His Jogi Thakur in Joshilaay was a truly epic villain which perhaps was underrated as the film bombed. His appearance in the 90s was limited. Ashutosh Gowarikar resurrected him with Guran and Nivaran Singhji. Not a good actor perhaps, but he can play a lovable rascal like a few others can!

This bring me to the end of part 2.
But there's more! In part-3 we'll take a look at unnoticed names + mostly unnoticed faces in Bollywood. The people in part 3 are like shape shifters and white noise- you didn't notice them when they were present; but your eyes would notice the void when they're gone.