This piece commemorates A K Hangal on his 13th death anniversary, starting with a personal anecdote of the author’s first interview with the actor. Despite his initial tiredness, Hangal shared stories from his life and acting career. He discussed his family’s profession as tailors and how he began acting, portraying fatherly figures due to his appearance.
He reflected on his roles, mentioning that they provided him with constant work. He spoke fondly of his association with Jaya Bachchan, often being mistaken for her father. He shared his favorite moments from their films together, particularly in Anil Ganguly’s Kora Kagaz and Basu Chatterjee’s Shaukeen. He remembered his most famous scene in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, where he played a blind father. The actor Dharmendra spoke about the scene’s ability to deeply move audiences.
Shabana Azmi highlighted Hangal’s close ties with her family, his commitment to social change through art, and his meticulous approach to acting. Saurabh Tiwari, who worked with Hangal in Madhubala, noted his resilience, particularly during the final acting stint. Ashutosh Gowariker recalled Hangal’s impact on him through his roles and his dedication, including his perseverance during the filming of Lagaan. Anant Mahadevan shared an instance from Dil Maange More, where Hangal showed his professionalism. The article concludes with a nod to Hangal’s late but impactful career.
