Image was shared on Twitter. (courtesy: theshivdwivedii )
Mumbai:
For the technology of viewers rising up within the late Nineteen Eighties, Gufi Paintal was a well-known face due to his function because the conniving Shakuni mama in BR Chopra’s epic TV serial Mahabharat. Not many know that the veteran actor, who died on Monday following age-related points, additionally performed an vital function in casting lots of the key characters of the collection. He was 79.
It was Gufi Paintal, stated actor Mukesh Khanna, who referred to as him to audition for what would go on to turn out to be his career-defining function of Bhishma in Mahabharat. Their affiliation which began with the traditional Doordarshan serial additionally led to Khanna casting his co-star within the 2013 TV movie Hamara Hero Shaktimaan within the former’s Shaktimaan franchise.
“I had a protracted relationship with him since ‘Mahabharat’ and I forged him in Hamara Hero Shaktimaan, through which he performed Dr Jackal. In Mahabharat, we had lengthy confrontational scenes collectively, which have been fantastically written by Rahi Masoom Raza. One of the most well-liked characters of ‘Mahabharat’ was Shakuni and he portrayed it so effectively,” Khanna instructed PTI.
According to the actor, Gufi Paintal did not need to be an actor, though his youthful brother Paintal was in the identical career.
Gufi Paintal was shocked when BR Chopra requested him to take up the function of Shakuni, the king of Gandhara and an skilled within the sport of cube.
“He had joined BR Chopra’s workplace and was casting for Mahabharat. Everyone was forged for Mahabharat apart from the a part of Shakuni mama and he was confused who Chopra sahab would forged for this function. He was barely bowled over when Chopra sahab stated he ought to play it. He took on the problem and carried out so effectively,” Khanna stated.
Pankaj Dheer, who essayed the character of Karn in Mahabharat, remembered Gufi Paintal as “a multi-talented boy”.
“He was the casting director of Mahabharat, he was additionally an assistant. I believe he had additionally directed a couple of episodes of Mahabharat. I regarded him as a greater director than an actor. Later, he directed me in a couple of collection equivalent to Kanoon and Beta for the Chopras on Doordarshan. We additionally did a collection referred to as Akbar and Birbal,” Dheer instructed PTI.
The late actor, whose actual identify was Saravjit Singh Paintal, was additionally a lyricist.
“He beloved writing songs, and he has recorded a few songs as effectively. He would recite poetry and would inform us about what he’s doing. This was one in every of his hobbies and he was excellent at it,” added Dheer.
Gufi Paintal labored carefully with Ravi Chopra, who co-directed Mahabharat together with his father BR Chopra.
“He was an assistant to Ravi Chopra and he had a small cabin, the place he would have particulars in regards to the character every actor would play,” Khanna recalled.
He additionally recounted an anecdote when Gufi Paintal was refused a seat within the prepare due to his on-screen avatar.
“We acquired within the firstclass compartment, however we had purchased a second-class compartment ticket. The ticket collector stated, ‘Come, Shakuni mama and Bhishma pitamaha’… Once we acquired in, we have been ready for a seat to be allotted to us. While we have been ready, one of many passengers stated, ‘We will accommodate Bhishma Pitamaha however not Shakuni mama’. I had instructed him this was taking place due to his onscreen picture,” Khanna stated.
Dheer stated Gufi Paintal was “a great pal” with whom he and co-star Puneet Issar spent lots of time collectively on set because the villainous trio of Shakuni, Karn and Duryodhan.
“He was a great pal and we did many of the scenes collectively in ‘Mahabharat’. As Shakuni, he was very spectacular. Till date individuals attempt to copy him however they aren’t in a position to attain his fashion of efficiency. It is a giant loss for the industry,” he added.
Gajendra Chauhan, in style because the eldest Pandav brother Yudhishthir in Mahabharat, expressed his gratitude in the direction of the late actor for casting him within the serial.
“We shot for 3 years collectively. We turned household. He was a detailed colleague… We would meet usually and we did stage exhibits collectively up till six months in the past when his well being began deteriorating. We saved praying for him however God had a unique resolution. We will pray for him and his soul,” Chauhan instructed PTI.
Gufi Paintal is survived by his son, daughter-in-law and a grandchild.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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