"Teen Sarkaar": Celebrating the King of Villian Mac Mohan

Born Mohan Makijany on April 24, 1938, Mac Mohan carved a distinct niche for himself in Indian cinema. While his birth certificate may have read "Mohan," audiences knew him best for the villainous characters he brought to life on screen. Today, on his birth anniversary, we take a look back at the life and career of this iconic actor.

Mac Mohan wasn't your quintessential hero. He thrived as a villain, his menacing presence and booming voice leaving an indelible mark on Hindi cinema throughout the 70s and 80s.

From Cricketer to Cult Villain

Born in Karachi, British India (present-day Pakistan) in 1938, Mac Mohan's journey to Bollywood was an interesting one. With dreams of becoming a cricketer, he arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai). However, destiny had other plans. Drawn to the world of theatre, he enrolled at the Filmalaya School of Acting in Bombay. This decision proved pivotal, paving the way for a successful acting career.

Mac Mohan started as an assistant director under the renowned Chetan Anand before making his acting debut in Anand's film Haqeeqat (1964). Over the next few decades, Mac Mohan would go on to appear in over 200 films, leaving an indelible mark with his powerful portrayals.
“Teen Sarkaar”

The 1970s and 80s saw Mac Mohan become synonymous with villainous roles. He delivered memorable performances in films like "Don," "Karz," "Satte Pe Satta," "Zanjeer," "Rafoo Chakkar," "Shaan," and "Khoon Pasina." But perhaps his most iconic role remains that of Sambha in Ramesh Sippy's cult classic "Sholay." Gabbar's booming voice delivers the now-legendary line, "Arre O Sambha! Kitne aadmi the?" to which Sambha replying "Teen sarkaar" continues to resonate with fans even today.

The Versatile Villain

Mac Mohan's versatility extended beyond Hindi cinema. He graced Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Haryanvi, Marathi, Punjabi, Bengali, and Sindhi films, even delivering dialogues in several foreign languages. Interestingly, he holds the unique distinction of being the only actor whose real name, "Mac," was frequently used for his character names.

Sadly, Mac Mohan's life was cut short in 2010. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away at the age of 72.

Today, on his birth anniversary, we celebrate Mac Mohan's contribution to Indian cinema. His legacy lives on through the countless films he enriched with his presence, reminding us of the power a memorable villain holds in shaping a great story.

-Ayushi Sinha 

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