Mahavir Shah – Bollywood villain of 1990s

Mahavir Shah (1960 – 2000) was a Bollywood character artist of 1990s best known for playing negative and antagonist roles on screen. He was a Gujarati stage actor and TV actor too. He has portrayed numerous villain roles on screen for several action movies, and shared screen space with Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Govinda, Anil Kapoor etc in the 1990s. Ab Kya Hoga in 1977 was his first movie, where he was credited as a driver, and after playing bit roles throughout 1980s he rose to prominence in the 1990s. His peculiar eyes helped him a lot to play villainous roles on screen.

Mahavir Shah was a native of Mumbai. Born in 1960, he got into films in the late teens playing bit roles. He rose to prominence in the 1990s. Yes Boss, Judwaa, Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Baadshah, Papa the Great, Bicchoo, Jai Kishen, Ankush, Hum Dono, Coolie No. 1, Tezaab, Sapoot, Mr. Bechara etc are some of his noted roles. He died in a car accident in Chicago in 2000. He was on a US tour when he met with the accident and he was just 40 then. He was at his career peak and quite busy with his professional life when death took him away. Many of his films such as Aaj Ka Andha Kanoon, Jagira, Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, 23 March 1931 etc were released posthumously.

Mahavir Shah – Some interesting facts

1. This actor is best known for his signature eyes, which helped him to bag negative roles a lot. He rarely played positive roles on screen.

2. Mahavir Shah acted in over 50 Hindi movies.

3. He donned corrupt police officer in many of his movies. His role as police officer in Baadshah and Haseena Maan Jayegi were well received.

4. He died at the age of only 40 in a car accident in Chicago, while he had just started to enjoy success in his career. He was married and had two children.

5. He was also a part of Gujarati plays and movies.

6. A prominent face of Gujarati theatre, he was a play director and stage actor, and Janmadata, Sakharam Binder, Khel, Saathi and Huj Taro Ishwar are some of the best plays to his credit.

7. He has been a part of TV shows – Dastaan and Jivan Mrityu.