Shamshuddin

Actor Shamshuddin—also credited as Shamshu in some films—is known for the films Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981), Kaun Kare Kurbanie (1991), Hatim (2003) and Ishq (1997), among others. Extremely tall at 6 feet 7 inches, and well-built, he was a popular choice to play the monster, demon, or ghost in horror films, as well as the goon in action films. With more than 90 films and TV serials to his credit, he was also known to share a good bond with Dharmendra, which explains why he also featured in many of the latter’s films.

Living in Mohammad Jamal Chawl in Kurla (East), Mumbai, he was born on 23 December 1940. His entry into films is quite a story in itself. Fond of watching the shooting of films, he was once at Mumbai’s Film City to watch a film being shot. However, a group of hooligans was obstructing the filming. The tall and well-built Shamshuddin reportedly thrashed the goons and chased them away from the shooting location, enabling the shooting to progress smoothly. This incident was noticed by stunt expert and fight master Shetty. Shetty took a shine to Shamshuddin and offered him a role in the action-crime-comedy film Chor Ke Ghar Chor which released in 1978. Directed by Vijay Sadanah, the plot of this film starring Randhir Kapoor, Zeenat Aman and Ashok Kumar revolved around the theft of Devi Maa's statuette which jeopardises the lives of a noble family.

His debut film, Thief of Baghdad released a year earlier, in 1977. He played a minor role of a soldier in the film. He was more noticeable in Chor Ke Ghar Chor, in which he was the first of ten bodyguards – all sporting red T-shirts with white numerals. 

In 1978, he featured in Shalimar, in a minor role. During filming, he was noticed by lead actor Dharmendra. At the time, filmmaker Arjun Hingorani was preparing to go to the US, to sign actor Richard Kiel—who had featured in the James Bond film The Spy who Loved Me (1977)—for his upcoming film. Kiel had essayed the villain Jaws in the film. Dharmendra found a striking resemblance between the personalities of Kiel and Shamshuddin. When Hingorani saw Shamshuddin, he was also struck by the similarity and decided there was no need to go to America after all: he had found his character right here. The film, Katilon Ke Kaatil, starring Dharmendra, Rishi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman, released in 1981. It saw Shamshuddin play the role of Reecha – a creature that was half-bear and half-human. He played the invincible henchman of the villain essayed by Amjad Khan, who is impervious to boulders and even bullets! Though this was his fifth film, he was properly introduced in this film. Post this role, he was offered meatier roles. 

His first horror genre film was Darwaza in 1978. Directed by Shyam Ramsay and Tulsi Ramsay, the plot of this film starring Anil Dhawan, Shyamalee and Imtiaz Khan, depicted a family that, for generations, has been living in fear of a dark and terrible curse. In the film, Trilok Kapoor, who plays the role of a Thakur, becomes a devil; Shamshuddin enacted this role of the devil. 

The Ramsay brothers often signed on Anirudh Agarwal in demonic roles from the time of their hit film Purana Mandir (1984). However, Agarwal apparently did not care for too much make-up, and also desired the opportunity to act and deliver dialogues. In the film Tahkhana (1986), the devil is an ancient corpse, which ruled out the scope for any dialogue. This was apparently the reason why the Ramsay brothers opted for Shamshuddin over Agarwal for the film. The film was a hit, helped largely by Shamshuddin’s performance that struck fear in the audiences; as was Darwaza. Both these are considered among his scariest films.

On account of the success of Tahkhana, Mohan Bhakri signed him on for Khooni Mahal (1987). It depicted how, after years of burial, a monster is accidentally set free by a group of people which leads to a disastrous sequence of incidents. The film starred Raj Kiran, Shoma Anand and Javed Khan. This is Shamshuddin’s only film that offered him scope for acting and dialogue delivery. He also played the role of Jagira as well as the character’s ghost. 

His last role in a horror film was the Ramsays’ Shaitani Ilaka (1990).The plot revolved around an evil sorceress who feeds the blood of new brides to a Shaitan, an ancient and fearsome demon. 

Incidentally, he did not play a monster/ ghost in every horror film that he featured in. In Purana Mandir, for instance, he essayed the executioner Sher Khan. Similarly, in the horror thriller Amavas Ki Raat (1990) he played a goon, while the horror flick Haveli Ke Peeche (1999) saw him cast as a tantric and not a ghost. 

Besides horror films, he also featured as a goon in several films, across budgets. These include Khwaja Ki  Diwani (1981), Desh Premee (1982), Zakhmee Insaan (1982), Taqdeer Ka Badshah (1982), Taqdeer (1983), Qayamat (1983), Karate (1983), Bad Aur Badnaam (1984), Baazi (1984), Zamana (1985), Yudh (1985), Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986), Yateem (1988), Aaj Ke Angaarey (1988), Meri Zabaan (1989), Tridev (1989), Commander (1994), Ishq (1997), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Tarkieb (2000), and more. He also acted in a few regional films such as the Bengali language romance thriller film Bishwapremik (1995).

He last appeared on the big screen in the film Jaani Dushan: Ek Anokhi Kahani in 2002. He was seen essaying the role of Javed Bhai in the song Javed bhai so rele hai. 

In the realm of television, he appeared in serials such as Vikram Aur Betaal (1985-1986), Shaktimaan (1997), Junior G (2001), Chandrakanta (1994), Hatim (2004), Bharat Ek Khoj (1989), Hum Paanch (1995), Anhonee (2001), Zee Horror Show (1993), as well as the Marathi serials Shodh and Yancha Hasnache Dhandhe. 

On the personal front, he was married to Suraiya Begum; the couple had three daughters and three sons, namely Nasir, Nasreen, Samina, Wasim, Sarfaraz, and Naazira. His son Wasim Maniyar also entered the industry as an actor in some films and TV serials, as did his grandson Muzzamil Shaikh.

Despite suffering from high blood pressure, he continued to work. His health deteriorated and he suffered a paralytic stroke. Shamshuddin passed away on 5 December 2016 at a nursing home in Chembur, Mumbai.