Dinyar Contractor – Stage and Film actor best known for his brief role as college principal in ‘Khiladi’

Dinyar Contractor (1941 – 2019) was a very talented stage actor, who was a seasonal film actor in Hindi and Telugu films. His brief role as college principal in action thriller – Khiladi (1993) starring Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Jhulka brought him to limelight. He was later seen in Daraar, Baazigar, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Jhankar Beats, 36 China Town, Khicchdi: The Movie, Baadshah, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge etc mostly in comic roles, and a few TV shows. Yet he is best remembered for his debut role in Khiladi and a single wink-scene made him immensely popular. His role as casino manager in Baadshah (1999) was also well received. He was mostly associated with Gujarati and Hindi Theater, and has been honoured with Padma Shri in 2019 a few months before his death.

Dinyar Contractor was a Parsi artist, mostly associated with Parsi, Gujarati and Hindi Theater. His professional career in theater began in 1966. He was interested in plays and acting since school days. He made a late entry films and television only in the 1990s. Apart from his short memorable film roles, he was seen in TV shows such as Hum Sab Ek Hain, Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar, Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma, Khichchdi, Do Aur Do Paanch, Dil Vil Pyar Pyar etc. As an actor, he excelled in comic roles. In real life too, he could light up every mood with his smile and jokes.

Dinyar Contractor – Some interesting and less-known facts

Dinyar Contractor’s iconic wink scene from his debut screen role – Khiladi, sharing screen space with Ayesha Jhulka

1. He shared screen space with Parsi actor Adi Marzban for DD Gujarati show, Aavo Mari Saathe, the first show which was aired on DD-2 network soon after launch. Since then he started receiving brief roles for movies and TV shows.

2. Spending more than 5 decades in the field of entertainment, he was finally honoured by government of India in 2019, when he was given the civilian honour Padma Shri. However he passed away a few months after his death.

3. He used a signature style of speaking in singing style in his debut movie, Khiladi in 1992. It was the breakthrough role of his career. He used this signature style of dialogue delivery in Shah Rukh starrer Baadshah and Juhi starrer Daraar in the 1990s.

Dinyar Contractor with PM Modi, a few months before his death