Ashok Kumar: Best character roles played by the actor

Ashok Kumar was a sought-after actor who appeared in over 200 Hindi and a few other Indian language films, playing a romantic lead or a threatening villain and making Rs 300-400 a month during the 1940s and 1950s. While his roles gradually decreased to supporting and minor parts as he got older, he somehow breathed light in all the characters that he portrayed. With the passage of time, his health suffered. However, his popularity in India never declined and he was often in demand for cameos and live convention appearances. Here are a few films where the phenomenal portrayal of the characters played by him is proof enough of his acting prowess…

Choti Si Baat

n this 1975 film directed by the legendary Basu Chatterjee, Ashok Kumar plays the role of retired Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh, who dishes out advice to everyone - from lovelorn office workers to superstars like Amitabh Bachchan. The protagonist of the film turns to him for advice when nothing else works out for him to win over his ladylove. Ashok Kumar’s portrayal turns out to be the best treat of all. Ashok Kumar is simply hilarious as the avuncular Colonel Julius. He spews an endless stream of advice that is somewhere between platitudes and complete nonsense, and then chides Arun for answering ‘yes’ when the Colonel asks ‘samjhe?’ The Colonel spits, ‘Khak samjhe…main khud nahin samjha maine kya kaha!’

Anand Ashram:


A 1977 film, Anand Ashram throws light on the acting prowess of a star line-up that included Ashok Kumar and Asit Sen with Rakesh Roshan and Moushami Chatterjee completing the cast. Deepak meets Asha, they fall in love and get married. Deepak has to face the wrath of his stern father, Pratap Narayan, who is not ready to accept a Christian as her daughter-in-law. Uttam Kumar’s work was immensely appreciated by critics and fans because of his ability to hold his place against a stalwart like Ashok Kumar. The presence of Uttam Kumar and Ashok Kumar ensured class on screen. Ashok Kumar was towering as the stern father for whom the prestige of the family meant more than his own son.

Khatta Meetha:


A 1978 Hindi film, directed by Basu Chatterjee, Khatta Meetha stars Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Bindiya Goswami, Pearl Padamsee, in the lead roles. Homi Mistry is a Parsi widower who is about to retire. He lives in a small home with his four sons. Realising that he may need emotional support and someone to take care of the house and his sons, he decides to remarry. The character played by Ashok Kumar and Pearl Padmasee look authentic. Ashok Kumar, as always, delivers a great and absolutely natural performance. Practically, there might not be any role in Hindi cinema that Dadamoni hasn't tried.

Khoobsurat:


This is a 1980 Indian Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. His direction coupled with dialogue by Gulzar, create magic on-screen. The film is a story of middle-aged Nirmala Gupta, wife of Dwarka Prasad Gupta. While the mother is a strict disciplinarian, the father of four, played by Ashok Kumar is a light-hearted individual who enjoys the small things in life and lives life to the fullest much to the chagrin of his wife. Ashok Kumar is phenomenal in the portrayal of his character and pulls it off with ease.