Legendary Sholay actor Mac Mohan (71) passed away Monday after a battle with lung cancer. In the blockbuster Sholay, the actor played Sambha and was also seen in over 150 movies including many other Hindi classics like Don, Zanjeer, and Satte Pe Satta. More recently he was seen in Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance in a brilliant cameo playing himself and saying his iconic “Poorey pachaas hazaar” line from Sholay.
The actor was seen opposite Amitabh Bachchan in several films and on his blog Mr. Bachchan wrote, “I worked with him in several films, films that can be identified as being some of the most memorable in my repertoire. Some of the roles he did were evil in nature, quite the opposite of his own personal demeanour. His laughter was full throated and free – a symbol of the free spirit he always depicted.”
Adding, “There is sadness in declaring that Mac Mohan passed away. He was a soft-hearted gentle soul. His frail body defeated the strength of his character and his kind nature. A person of great care and concern for all.”
Hema Malini who also worked with the actor in Sholay said, “His demise is very sad. I worked with him in Sholay and have very fond memories. He was a very nice and a respectful person. Hamesha bechare ko aise hi role milte the.”
Niece Raveena Tandon told Hiren Kotwani for the Hindustani Times, “Mohan mama was my favourite uncle and it was he who gave me the pet name Munmun. Even though he played a bad man in a majority of the movies he acted in, Mohan mama was one of the kindest and gentlest souls I’ve ever known. The words, ‘He’d never hurt even a fly’ fit him perfectly. At the same time, he was also honest and noble, full of sincerity and integrity. And in contrast to his serious image, he was full of joie de vivre, and the life of every party. Considering his image, resulting from the characters he played on screen, people would be very surprised to see that he was not only kind and generous in real life, but also very helpful and compassionate towards others. For someone who played a villain in the movies, in real life, he was a hero for many people. We will miss him a lot.”
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family.
