Picture was shared on Twitter. (courtesy: theshivdwivedii )
Mumbai:
For the era of viewers rising up within the late 1980s, Gufi Paintal was a well-recognized face because of 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 essential function in casting lots of the key characters of the collection. He was 79.
It was Gufi Paintal, mentioned actor Mukesh Khanna, who known as him to audition for what would go on to grow 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, during which he performed Dr Jackal. In Mahabharat, we had lengthy confrontational scenes collectively, which have been superbly written by Rahi Masoom Raza. One of the vital widespread characters of ‘Mahabharat’ was Shakuni and he portrayed it so nicely,” Khanna advised PTI.
In keeping with the actor, Gufi Paintal did not wish to be an actor, although his youthful brother Paintal was in the identical occupation.
Gufi Paintal was shocked when BR Chopra requested him to take up the function of Shakuni, the king of Gandhara and an knowledgeable within the sport of cube.
“He had joined BR Chopra’s workplace and was casting for Mahabharat. Everybody 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 stunned when Chopra sahab mentioned he ought to play it. He took on the problem and carried out so nicely,” Khanna mentioned.
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 reminiscent of Kanoon and Beta for the Chopras on Doordarshan. We additionally did a collection known as Akbar and Birbal,” Dheer advised 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 nicely. He would recite poetry and would inform us about what he’s doing. This was one among 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 concerning the character every actor would play,” Khanna recalled.
He additionally recounted an anecdote when Gufi Paintal was refused a seat within the practice due to his on-screen avatar.
“We obtained within the top quality compartment, however we had purchased a second-class compartment ticket. The ticket collector mentioned, ‘Come, Shakuni mama and Bhishma pitamaha’… As soon as we obtained in, we have been ready for a seat to be allotted to us. Whereas we have been ready, one of many passengers mentioned, ‘We are going to accommodate Bhishma Pitamaha however not Shakuni mama’. I had advised him this was occurring due to his onscreen picture,” Khanna mentioned.
Dheer mentioned Gufi Paintal was “a great good friend” 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 good friend and we did many of the scenes collectively in ‘Mahabharat’. As Shakuni, he was very spectacular. Until date folks attempt to copy him however they aren’t in a position to attain his fashion of efficiency. It’s a large loss for the business,” he added.
Gajendra Chauhan, widespread because the eldest Pandav brother Yudhishthir in Mahabharat, expressed his gratitude in direction of the late actor for casting him within the serial.
“We shot for 3 years collectively. We grew to become household. He was a detailed colleague… We’d meet typically and we did stage exhibits collectively up till six months in the past when his well being began deteriorating. We stored praying for him however God had a unique resolution. We are going to pray for him and his soul,” Chauhan advised PTI.
Gufi Paintal is survived by his son, daughter-in-law and a grandchild.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)