Comedy under a Cloud

As the hits poured in, Mehmood began to command a price that was sometimes rumoured to be much higher than some of the lesser hero’s of Bombay Talkies. Naturally, this caused a lot of insecurity and anxiety in Bollywood acting circles. After two decades of success, Mehmood’s comedy began to come undone. He was accused by many of downgrading the quality of comedy in Hindi films. (In a way, this may even be true – but it must be remembered that he had all along played the roles that the audiences wanted him to – and they had adored him for it! But now, his caricatures – especially his spoofs on South Indians -- had begun to grate on nerves). He had fallen into a rut – and he could not re-invent himself as effortlessly as he had in the past.

As a result of the criticism, Mehmood decided to concentrate on his own production house. He had already started his company in the early 60s, with his first production called Chhote Nawab (1961). This had been followed by a suspense-comedy–thriller called Bhoot Bangla, in which Mehmood had taken the director’s chair for the first time. His company’s Padosan – in which Mehmood locked horns with Kishore Kumar in a South-Indian-versus-North-Indian war – became a massive hit in the 70s.

At that time, Mehmood’s star was at its zenith. He happened to meet an amiable young man who was trying to get a foothold in Bollywood films. This struggling newcomer had no place to stay in Mumbai, so Mehmood offered him a room in his house. At that time, Mehmood was producing a new comedy called Bombay to Goa. Mehmood was playing a bus conductor and he needed a young man to play the hero’s role. He gave the role to his young tenant. The new star’s name was Amitabh Bachchan. Bombay to Goa was his first movie as a leading hero. The rest is history!