Mehmood Ali
Mehmood Ali (29 September 1932 – 23 July 2004), popularly known simply as Mehmood, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer, best known for playing comic, serious, emotional and versatile roles in Hindi films. During his career spanning more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films and was known as Bollywood's Original Bhaijaan. Mehmood received 25 nominations for film awards, 19 for 'Best Performance in a Comic Role', while the awards started in 1954, awards for the best comedian category started only in 1967.
Mehmood Ali
- Name
- Mehmood Ali
- Born
- 29 September 1932
- Birthplace
- Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
- Died
- 23 July 2004
- Place of death
- Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Occupation
- * Actor
- Spouse
- Tracy Ali
- Nationality
- India · British Raj · Dominion of India
- Honours
- Filmfare Awards
- Languages
- Hindi
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Documentary summary
Mehmood Ali (29 September 1932 – 23 July 2004), popularly known simply as Mehmood, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer, best known for playing comic, serious, emotional and versatile roles in Hindi films. During his career spanning more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films and was known as Bollywood's Original Bhaijaan. Mehmood received 25 nominations for film awards, 19 for 'Best Performance in a Comic Role', while the awards started in 1954, awards for the best comedian category started only in 1967.
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In this article
Biography
Biography
Prior to that Mehmood also received 6 nominations for 'Best Supporting Actor'.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Mehmood Ali • Born — 29 September 1932 • Birthplace — Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India • Died — 23 July 2004 • Place of death — Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S. • Occupation — * Actor • singer • film producer • director • Parents — Mumtaz Ali (father) • Relatives — Meena Kumari (sister-in-law); see also Ali-Amrohi family • Spouse — Tracy Ali • Family — Mehmood Ali family • Children — 7, including Pucky Ali, Lucky Ali, Macky Ali, Ginny Ali Mehmood Ali (29 September 1932 – 23 July 2004), popularly known simply as Mehmood, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer, best known for playing comic, serious, emotional and versatile roles in Hindi films. During his career spanning more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films and was known as Bollywood's Original Bhaijaan. Mehmood received 25 nominations for film awards, 19 for 'Best Performance in a Comic Role', while the awards started in 1954, awards for the best comedian category started only in 1967. Prior to that Mehmood also received 6 nominations for 'Best Supporting Actor'.
Early life
Early life
Mehmood Ali was born on 29 September 1932. He was the second of the eight children, and eldest son to Latifunnisa and film and stage actor/dancer Mumtaz Ali, who was a huge star of the 1940s and 1950s cinema in Mumbai. Mehmood had an elder sister and six younger siblings. His sister, Minoo Mumtaz, was also a successful dancer and character actress in Bollywood movies. His youngest brother, Anwar Ali, is also an actor as well as a producer of such movies as Khud-daar and Kaash.
Early career
Early career
As a child, he worked in Bombay films like Kismet. He later had a number of odd jobs, selling poultry products and working as a driver for director P. L. Santoshi. Santoshi's son, Rajkumar Santoshi, would later cast him in the film Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Many of Mehmood's film songs were sung by Mohammad Rafi. Mehmood would go on to perform small roles in films such as Do Bigha Zameen, C.I.D., and Pyaasa. He later began taking on larger roles. He then ruled from late 50s to 70s as a Big Superstar, both as an actor and filmmaker. In the period from 1958-1979 he gave many hits, superhits and blockbusters as main lead, parallel lead, 2nd lead and supporting roles. And also did many Special Appearances & Cameos. And during that period he gave break to many artists in the industry like - R.D. Burman, Rajesh Roshan, Aruna Irani, Amitabh Bachchan and many more.
Later career
Later career
In the 1980s, Mehmood's starts doing less movie and during that time other comedy actors like Jagdeep, Asrani, Paintal, Deven Verma and Kader Khan shot to prominence. Between 1990 and 1999, he made a handful of movies, but most of them were either shelved or made no impression. He acted as Johnny in Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna (1994). It was his last well-known film.
Personal life
Personal life
Mehmood married Madhu Kumari in 1953; the two divorced in September 1967. The two had four children together, Masood "Pucky" Ali, Maqsood "Lucky" Ali, Maqdoom "Macky" Ali, and Masoon Ali. Mehmood would go on to marry his second wife, Tracy, and have three more children with her, Mansoor Ali, Manzoor Ali, and Latifunnissa "Ginny" Ali. Several of his children would go on to star in Mehmood related productions such as the 1976 film Ginny Aur Johnny, which starred his daughter Ginny and was based on the 1973 film Paper Moon.
Death
Death
On 23 July 2004, Mehmood died in his sleep in Pennsylvania, where he had gone for treatment of cardiovascular heart disease after suffering from poor health over several years. His fans were able to pay homage to him at Mehboob Studio in Bandra, Mumbai. After the initial homage in Mumbai, his body was flown to Ali Estates, the family's 186-acre farmhouse in Yelahanka, on the outskirts of Bangalore A funeral procession was held there on 29 July 2004, attended by close relatives, friends, and several film personalities along with local mourners. Though relatively low-key in accordance with his wishes, the ceremony drew tributes from many senior actors and filmmakers who acknowledged Mehmood as a giant of Indian comedy whose influence extended well beyond his screen presence. The estate, which had been used as a set for many of Mehmood's films, also houses a private family graveyard. He was buried in a modest, unmarked grave at the foot of the white tomb of his father, Mumtaz Ali. His son Macky, who died in 2002, is also buried next to him. • Illustration — Tomb of Mumtaz Ali with unmarked graves of his son Mehmood Ali and grandson Macky in the background. • Illustration — Unmarked graves of Mehmood and Macky Ali at Ali Estates, Yelahanka, Bangalore.
Filmography
Filmography
• Year — Film — As — Notes • 1943 — Kismet — Young Shekhar — Debut film • 1945 — Sanyasi — Banke • 1951 — Nadaan — Bus Conductor • 1952 — Maa • 1953 — Do Bigha Zamin — Peanuts Seller • 1954 — Nastik — Vinod's Henchman • Naukri — Pickpocket • 1956 — C.I.D. — Sher Singh • Funtoosh • Mem Sahib — Hardeep Kumar • 1957 — Baarish — Ramu's Neighbour • Ek Saal — Doctor • Pyaasa — Vijay's Brother • 1958 — Howrah Bridge • Parvarish — Ramesh Singh • 1959 — Chhoti Bahen — Mahesh — Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated] • Kaagaz Ke Phool — Special Appearance — In the song "San San San Woh Chali Hawaa" • Qaidi No. 911 — Anand • 1960 — Kanoon — Vijay Prasad • Mian Biwi Razi • Manzil — Shankar Paanwala • Shriman Satyawadi — Kishore • 1961 — Chhote Nawab — Chhote Nawab — Mehmood provided famous music director R. D. Burman his first break in this film. • Pyase Panchhi — Mahesh • Sasural — Mahesh — Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated] • 1962 — Aarti — Kumar • Dil Tera Deewana — Anokhe — Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor • Rakhi — Kasturi — Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated] • 1963 — Bharosa — Platform M. P. P. S. • Ghar Basake Dekho — Sunder — Nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. • Godaan — Gobar • Grahasti — Jaggu • Hamrahi — Mahesh • Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye • 1964 — Beti Bete — Mahesh 'Munna' • Chitralekha — Brahmachari Shwetant • Mama Ji — Madari — Punjabi Punjabi Movie • Sanjh Aur Savera — Prakash • Shabnam — Khan Mustafa / Zingarro • Ziddi — Mahesh • Zindagi — Jaggu • 1965 — Arzoo — Mamdhu Mumtaz Ali • Bahu Beti — Mahesh • Bhoot Bungla — Mohan Kumar — Produced and directed by Mehmood • Do Dil — Bahadur Singh • Gumnaam — Butler — Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [Nominated] • Johar-Mehmood in Goa — Rahim Mohammed Salauddin • Kaajal — Bhola • Namasteji • Neela Aakash — Madanlal • 1966 — Biwi Aur Makan — Sitaram Pandey • Daadi Maa — Mahesh • Love in Tokyo — Mahesh • Mohabbat Zindagi Hai — Manglu • Pati Patni — Pashupati • Pyar Kiye Jaa — Atma — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role • 1967 — Chandan Ka Palna — Mahesh Chandra Mukherjee • Gunahon Ka Devta • Mehrban — Madhu • Patthar ke Sanam — Hariya Kumar • 1968 — Ankhen — Mehmood • Do Kaliyan — Mahesh • Izzat — Mahesh • Neel Kamal — Girdhar Gopal Agarwal • Padosan — Master Pillai — with Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu and Kishore Kumar. Mehmood jointly produced this film with N. C. Sippy • Sadhu Aur Shaitaan — Bajrang — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • 1969 — Badi Didi — Madan • Meri Bhabhi — Shambhu — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Tumse Achha Kaun Hai? — Mahesh • Waris — CID Inspector Rajan / Ram Kumar No. 3 & his mother (Double Role) — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role • 1970 — Humjoli — Shivram / Balram / Parshuram (Triple Role) — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Jawab — Bajrangi • Mastana — Satya — Credit as Mahmood • 1971 — Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong — Mahesh • Lakhon Me Ek — Bhola • Main Sunder Hoon — Sunder — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Naya Zamana — Mahesh • Mere Apne • Paras — Munna Sarkar — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role • 1972 — Bombay To Goa — Khanna (Bus Conductor) — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Garam Masala — Rajkumar Suraj Kumar • 1973 — Do Phool — Pavitra Kumar Rai "Puttan" / Mani (Double Role) — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Jugnu — Mahesh • 1974 — Badla — Hippie • Duniya Ka Mela — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Kunwara Baap — Mahesh — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated]. Mehmood also introduced music director Rajesh Roshan in this film • Pocketmaar — Sunder • Ujala Hi Ujala — Saraswati • 1975 — Qaid — Bajrangi — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Salaakhen — Abdul Rehman • Vardaan — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role • 1976 — Ginny Aur Johnny • Jai Bajrang Bali — Shakun • Sabse Bada Rupaiya — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role Nominated • 1977 — Aafat — Mahesh • Amaanat — Mahesh • Thief of Baghdad • 1978 — Des Pardes — Anwar • Ek Baap Chhe Bete — Mahesh • 1979 — Janta Hawaldar • Nauker — Dayal — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • 1980 — Khanjar — Jagat • Lootmaar • Man Pasand — Popat • 1981 — Hotel — Nawab Arshad Ali • Sannata — Marzabaan • 1982 — Khud-Daar — Jagan — Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role [Nominated] • Suraag — Father of prospective bride • 1986 — Ladies Hostel — Mahesh Bhatta — Kannada film with B. Sarojadevi in lead role • 1987 — Imaandaar — Tiwarilal • Majaal — Shrichand Titarmare • 1988 — Faisla — Jaggu • 1993 — Shreemaan Aashique — Menaka's Father — Special Appearance in Last Scene of film • Khal-Naaikaa — Gangaram • Tahqiqaat — Micheal • 1994 — Juaari — Anita's Father • Chaand Kaa Tukdaa — Babumashay • Andaz Apna Apna — Johnny (Wah-Wah Productions) • 1995 — Guddu • 1996 — Dushman Duniya Ka — Bakrewale Baba • 1998 — Ghar Bazar
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1932
Mehmood Ali was born on 29 September 1932.
2004
Mehmood Ali died on 23 July 2004.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Mumbai.
Birth place
Pennsylvania.
Death place
Legacy
One of Mehmood's most enduring legacies is his early support for Amitabh Bachchan, who would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema. At a time when leading producers hesitated to cast Bachchan in prominent roles, Mehmood offered him the lead in Bombay to Goa, marking Bachchan's first major solo project. The film featured a high-impact bus crash sequence, and Mehmood was reportedly taken aback by the raw intensity Amitabh displayed in the action scene – a performance that foreshadowed his future rise as the "Angry Young Man." Bachchan would later refer to Mehmood as his "godfather," crediting him with giving him a crucial break at a turning point in his career. Mehmood's personal life also reflected his wide social reach. Through marriage, he was connected to the Nawab of Arcot's family, one of the oldest Muslim noble lineages in India, known for their longstanding ties to Hyderabad and Madras aristocracy. • Illustration — Mehmood on a 2013 stamp of India Satish Kaushik has credited Mehmood as inspiring him to become an actor. In 2013 Mehmood was featured on a stamp of India. In 2022, Mehmood was placed in Outlook Indias "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.
Awards
* * *
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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