A.K. Hangal Biography

Avtar Kishan Hangal a.k.a. A.K. Hangal is one of the oldest yet prominent names of the Hindi film industry. He illuminated the silver screen playing the various roles, of an oppressed old man, quintessential meek and most of the time he featured as the on-screen father or uncle of the leading actors of 70s, 80s and 90s era. He was born on February 1, 1914 in Sialkot, Punjab, British India.

Just like his reel life characters, in his real life too he had been through various professions before being an actor. He started his career being a tailor, and then he served the nation being an active freedom fighter for which even underwent the imprisonment of three years in Pakistan. Later his destiny brought him to the birthplace of Bollywood- then Bombay, where he horned his acting skills in the theatre. At the age of 50, he marked his debut with Basu Bhattacharya's 'Teesri Kasam' in the Hindi film industry.

A.K. Hangal has acted in more than 200 films in his career span of 50 years. His most memorable performances were in 'Bawarchi', 'Sholay' and 'Shaukeen'. In the 21st century, inspite of his falling health, he continued featuring into the films like 'Shararat' and 'Lagaan'. His contribution to the Hindi Cinema earned him the Padma Bhushan from the Indian Governmnet in the year 2006.

On 26th August 2012, he breathed last at the age of 98, at Asha Parekh Hospital, Mumbai. Before this tragic incident, he made his last appearance in the television series "Madhubala- Ek Ishq Ek Junoon".