Birthday Special: Lesser Known Facts About Sholay Fame Actor Mac Mohan
Mohan Makijany (24 April 1938 – 10 May 2010), popularly known as Mac Mohan, was a well-known Indian character actor in Hindi language films. Although Mac Mohan acted in 218 films and remained popular as a rather sympathetic villain through the 1970s and 1980s with films like Don, Karz, Satte Pe Satta, Zanjeer, Rafoo Chakkar, Shaan and Khoon Pasina, he is mostly remembered for his role of Sambha, the sidekick of dacoit Gabbar Singh in Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster Sholay (1975).
Mohan was born in Karachi in British India. Mohan came to Mumbai to become a cricketer, but joined theatre and became a Bollywood actor. He learned acting in the Filmalaya School of Acting in Mumbai.
Mac Mohan started his Hindi film career as an assistant with director Chetan Anand, before making his debut as an actor in his film, Haqeeqat in 1964. His last appearance was in Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge in a guest appearance.
Besides Hindi movies, he also acted in Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Haryanvi, Marathi, Punjabi and Sindhi films. He had delivered dialogue in almost all Indian languages except Oriya, as well as in English, Russian and Spanish films.
He is the only actor whose real name "Mac" was used as his character name in many movies.
Illness and death
In November 2009, a day before he could start the shooting for Ashwini Dheer's Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?, Mac Mohan was admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri in Mumbai after his health detoriated. He had a tumour in the right lung, which grew to be lung cancer and finally killed him on 10 May 2010, aged 72. Asian Academy of Film & Television had a special prayer meeting on 14 May at Noida Film City. There was also a prayer meeting on the same day at Ajivasan Hall for family and friends, and people from the oldest of his spot boys to Amitabh Bachchan attended the prayer meeting to pay their respects.
Personal life
Mac Mohan married Minny in 1986 and they had two daughters; Manjari Makijany, Vinati Makijany and a son Vikrant Makijany. He was the maternal uncle of actress Raveena Tandon. He was Sunil Dutt's classmate in Lucknow, from where he hailed. Mac Mohan's wife Minny is an Ayurvedic Doctor. It was when Mac Mohan's father was admitted to Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu that their interaction first started and later the relationship culminated into marriage. In the interview taken by professional writer Niilesh A Raje we learn that Mac Mohan had an excellent command over spoken and written English. Apart from reading newspapers at length, he loved reading Reader's Digest magazine a lot.
Filmography
Actor
2010
Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?
2008
Hum Sey Hai Jahaan
2007
Journey Bombay to Goa: Laughter Unlimited as
Harley Davidson
2006
Vidhyaarthi: The Power of Students as
Inspector Gautam
2005
Pehchaan: The Face of Truth as
Opposition Leader
2005
Insan as
Parvez
2004
Ghar Grihasti as
Mangesh's friend
2004
Patli Kamar Lambe Baal as
Madhav Saab
2004
Ek Raat Shaitan Ke Saath as
Billu
2003
Dangerous Night as
Advocate (as Mack Mohan)
2003
Ek Raaz Mere Dil Mein Hai
2003
Stumped as
Dukhiram
2003
Bad Boys
2003
Prem Vasna
2003
Tu Ladki Hai Badnam Gali Ki
2002
Aakhri Inteqam as
Mac Mohan
2002
Maratha Battalion as
Malang Baba (Jai Bharat Mata song)
2002
Soch as
Madhurika's Father
2002
Gangobai
2002
Hello Inspector (TV Series) as
Keshav Kapse
- Dakaity: Part 3 (2002) - Keshav Kapse
- Dakaity: Part 2 (2002) - Keshav Kapse
2002
500 Ka Note
2002
Aadhar as
Mac
2002
Beauty Parlour
2002
Jo Dar Gaya Samjho Mar Gaya
2001
Ssshhhh... Koi Hai (TV Series) as
Zibesco
- Raakh (2001) - Zibesco
1999
Suraag: The Clue (TV Series) as
Mr. Singhania / Raghav
- Episode #1.123 (2001) - Mr. Singhania
- Episode #1.12 (1999) - Raghav
2001
Uljhan as
Prabhakar (as Macmohan)
2001
Qatil Haseeno Ka as
Ranga
2001
Bhooton Ka Honeymoon
2001
Chehra Maut Ka
2001
Dark Night
2001
Gunahon Ki Devi
2001
Madam No 1
2001
Maut Ka Khel
2001
Phir Aayegi Woh Raat
2001
Pratighaath
2001
Woh Kaun Thi
2000
Chehron Ke Pichhe
2000
Glamour Girl as
Malik
2000
Raat Ki Baat as
Cripple
2000
Jai Shakumbhari Maa as
Kaal Bhairav
2000
Bharat India Hindustan as
Mac
2000
Geeta Mera Naam
2000
Haseeno Ka Mela
2000
Johra Bai
2000
Rahasya
2000
Shamshaan
2000
Sultana Mera Naam
1999
Aaag Hi Aag as
Tony (uncredited)
1999
Chandaal Atma as
Topichand Jasoos / Writer Chandi Das
1999
Lal Baadshah as
Vikram's Henchman
1999
Ek Aur Kahani (TV Series)
1999
Grahak Dost (TV Series)
1999
Hai Kaun Woh
1999
Phool Bani Phoolan
1999
Sar Kati Laash
1999
School Girl as
Chopra
1998
Sar Utha Ke Jiyo
1998
Zulm-O-Sitam as
Mac
1998
Maharaja as
Hunter
1998
Kabhi Na Kabhi as
Tatya
1998
Jaane Jigar as
Mac
1998
Bhayaanak
1998
Dev
1998
Qatil Chandalini
1997
Betaal Pachisi (TV Series) as
Mackie (1997) / Mackie (1994)
1997
Bhai Bhai as
Raghu
1997
Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi as
Police Inspector
1997
Hawaskand
1996
Apne Dam Par
1996
Ram Aur Shyam
1996
Hukumnama (as Mack Mohan)
1996
Maahir as
Murarilal
1996
Vijeta as
Fernandes (uncredited)
1996
Suhagraat Se Pehle
1995
7 Days as
Guest Appreance
1995
Rock Dancer as
Lawyer
1995
Kalyug Ke Avtaar as
Henchman
1995
Sarhad: The Border of Crime as
Mack (as Mack Mohan)
1995
Jai Vikraanta
1995
Shaan E Elaahi
1994
Gopalaa as
Swant
1994
Pathreela Raasta
1994
Prem Yog
1994
Mr. Azaad (uncredited)
1994
Zaalim
1994
Amaanat
1994
Chauraha as
Mac
1994
Insaniyat as
False Jailor
1994
Madam X as
Jhaka
1994
Dulaara as
Salim Langda
1994
Dhuan Hi Dhuan
1993
Aasoo Bane Angaarey as
Sewakram's Henchmen (uncredited)
1993
Aadmi as
Dhar Pakad Singh's assistant
1993
Sainik as
Private Ranjit
1993
Gurudev as
Mac
1993
Dhartiputra as
Kripal Singh's Henchman
1993
The Zee Horror Show (TV Series)
- Dastak (1993)
1993
Police Wala
1993
Badi Bahen
1993
Krishan Avtaar
1993
Dil Ki Baazi
1993
Aankhen as
Tejeshwar's Henchman (Spy)
1993
Kundan as
Mac
1993
Zakhmi Rooh as
Mac
1992
Naseebwaala as
John
1992
Waqt Ka Badshah
1992
Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi as
Rajen
1992
Humshakal as
Police Office from other city (terrorist in the theatre)
