Mohan Makhijani, more famously known as Mac Mohan, was a recognizable face in Bollywood for decades. Though he acted in over 150 films throughout his 46-year career, many remember him most vividly for a brief but iconic role in the 1975 classic, Sholay.
Born in Lucknow on April 24, 1938, Mohan's initial aspirations weren't in acting. He was passionate about cricket and excelled as a player, even captaining his school and university teams. He also played for Uttar Pradesh's state team. However, destiny had other plans. In the 1960s, Mohan moved to Mumbai to pursue cricket but found himself drawn to the theater.
His entry into acting was almost accidental. A friend's request led him to participate in a play, which caught the attention of Shaukat Azmi, who then cast him in IPTA's Election Ka Ticket. This play's success led him to enroll in the Filmalaya Acting School, where he honed his skills for three years.
Mac Mohan made his debut in Chetan Anand's war drama, Haqeeqat (1964). Interestingly, it was a Filmfare editor, L.P. Rao, who, after seeing Haqeeqat, gave him the moniker Mac Mohan, which stuck with him for the rest of his life. He continued to act in films like Aao Pyaar Karen (1964) and assisted Chetan Anand in Aakhri Khat (1966). He played smaller roles in various films throughout the late 60s and early 70s, steadily building his career.
While Mac Mohan featured in numerous films, portraying villains and character roles, his fleeting appearance in Sholay cemented his place in Bollywood history. As Sambha, Gabbar Singh's henchman, he delivered only one line: "Sarkar, poorey pachaas hazaar" ("Boss, exactly fifty thousand"). Despite the brevity of the role, Sambha became synonymous with Mac Mohan. His image is forever etched in the minds of cinema lovers, recognized instantly as the accomplice to one of Hindi cinema's most terrifying villains.
Mac Mohan's career spanned a wide range of films, including Don, Karz, Satte Pe Satta, Zanjeer, Rafoo Chakkar, Shaan, and Khoon Pasina. He acted in approximately 200 Hindi films and also appeared in Punjabi, Haryanvi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Marathi, English, Russian, and Spanish films.
In November 2009, while filming Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, Mac Mohan was diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away on May 10, 2010. Though he is no longer with us, Mac Mohan's legacy lives on, not just through his extensive filmography but also through the unforgettable character of Sambha, a role that proves the impact of even the shortest screen time.
