Happy Birthday, Kulbhushan Kharbanda (21/10).

Happy Birthday, Kulbhushan Kharbanda (21/10).

Kulbhushan Kharbanda, born on 21 October 1944, is a veteran actor celebrated for his roles in Hindi and Punjabi films. He is best known for playing the iconic villain Shakaal in Shaan (1980). Kharbanda began his acting career in the 1960s with Delhi’s ‘Yatrik’ theatre group and later ventured into films with Jadu Ka Shankh (1974) by Sai Paranjpye. Before entering mainstream cinema, he was involved in various parallel cinema projects. His acclaimed works include Arth (1982), Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986), Waaris (1988), and Deepa Mehta’s Elements trilogy: Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005).

After a nearly 20-year break from theatre, Kharbanda returned to the stage in Kolkata’s Padatik Theatre, starring in the play Atmakatha, directed by Vinay Sharma. Earlier, he and some college friends founded the theatre group “Abhiyaan,” and he later joined “Yatrik,” a bilingual theatre repertory led by Joy Michael. Kharbanda became its first salaried actor before the group disbanded. In 1972, he moved to Kolkata and worked with Shyamanand Jalan’s “Padatik” theatre group before stepping into Bollywood.

He gained prominence with Shyam Benegal’s Nishaant (1974), which led to further collaborations in films like Manthan (1976), Bhumika (1977), and Kalyug (1980). He became a regular in parallel cinema, working with directors like B.V. Karanth in Godhuli (1977). His performance as the bald villain Shakaal in Shaan (1980) established his place in mainstream Bollywood, followed by hits like Shakti (1982), Ghayal (1990), and Gupt (1997), while continuing his art-house journey with films like Chakra (1981) and Arth (1982).

Kharbanda also appeared in period dramas such as Jodha Akbar and Lagaan, and made his mark in Punjabi cinema with Chan Pardesi (1980). He is a frequent collaborator with Deepa Mehta, starring in six of her films, including the Elements trilogy. In 2009, he explored international cinema with a German film.

On television, Kharbanda gained recognition for his roles in serials like Shanno Ki Shaadi and Mahi Ve. He has also performed in notable stage plays like Teen Farishtay and Atmakatha. Recently, he has become well-known on digital platforms, particularly for his portrayal of Satyanand Tripathi, aka Bauji, in Amazon Prime’s hit series Mirzapur, which has earned global acclaim. The series is now preparing for its third season, fueled by its immense popularity and dedicated fan base.