The Legend That Was A.K. Hangal

A fighter till the last, A. K. Hangal's life is an exemplary showcase of courage, dedication and talent. A freedom fighter and an actor, his loss remains irreparable.

The icon that graced the Silver Screen; Image Source: Mag the Weekly

“Itna Sannata Kyun hain Bhai?”, asked Rahim Chacha of Sholay. It was a one-liner and to pull it off was a colossal task for any actor. A. K. Hangal, playing the character of the blind father and Imam Saab not only ensured that he gave a convincing performance but left an impact with the dialogue that has ensured its longevity till now. A thespian and a veteran in Bollywood, Hangal Saab’s name was among some of the greatest actors of his time. A man who left behind a rich legacy in Hindi cinema, A. K. Hangal did some 200 films in his lifetime and gave his very best to the establishment of Bollywood as a solid foundation. From playing Inder Sen in Shaukeen to Bipinlal Pandey in Namak Haraam, A.K. Hangal was a storehouse of talent and graced every role with sophistication and subtlety. However, behind this story of success and accomplishment, there also lies the tale of a man who had to go through innumerable hardships and struggles. From his birth to death, Padma Vibhushan Hangal Saab saw countless ups and downs, and the struggle became a constant factor in his life.

Born on 1st February 1914 in Sialkot of present-day Pakistan, A.K. Hangal’s early life was unlike that of any star kid. Born into a Kashmiri Pandit family, his childhood was spent in Peshawar, far away from the spotlight that he was one day destined for.

At the beginning, he would take up the profession of a tailor but would soon jump whole-heartedly into the freedom struggle movement. The young boy was also attracted to theatre at the same time and hence joined Shree Sangeet Priya Mandal where he would very enthusiastically perform on the stage.

However, life has its own turns and twists and Hangal Saab’s life also took a 360 degree turn when his family relocated to Karachi. It did not stop at that as the man had to leave Pakistan itself after the partition of India and shifted to Bombay.

The freedom fighter went through one obstacle after another as he was also jailed for two years due to his involvement with the IPTA, a Marxist theatre organisation.

Cinema would be his destiny as he made his debut into Basu Bhattacharya’s Teesri Kasam at the age of 52. Proving that life wasn’t over yet, he essayed several character roles mostly that of the humble and gentle patriarch of the family. From Heer Ranjha to Shaukeen, from Balika Badhu to Lagaan, he lighted up the silver screen with his acting skills. Even at the dusk of his life, Hangal enthusiastically journeyed from one film to another.

However, with his growing age, he also faced the risk of his deteriorating health and with that, there came the additional burden of medical expenses. The family plunged into financial difficulties. In spite of that, his spirit did never go down and even before the final year of his life, he walked the ramp in a wheelchair. The actor lived till the age of 98 and passed away on 26th August 2012, few days after having a fatal fall in his bathroom. He was admitted to Asha Parekh Hospital in Mumbai and eventually breathed his last, leaving fans and well-wishers in grief.