Randhir – ‘Moneylender ‘of Bollywood 1960s and 1970s

Randhir was a character artist of Bollywood during early talkies and later. He has also done a few Punjabi movies. His career spanned during 1940s-1980s and he acted in more than 172 films, mostly in small roles. He played moneylender ‘lala’ of numerous movies of Bollywood 1960s, and got type casted to similar kind of roles as well. His roles in Do Raste and Zanjeer belong to this category. He has also played lead roles in a few movies, though was not successful, and as a supporting actor he is best known for playing Shammi Kapoor’s friend in Dil Dekhe Dekho.

Little is known about his life and professional career. He hailed from Shimla and was a football player during his school days. He worked in AIR before joining films. Randhir was one among those character artists who played brief roles on screen. He joined film scene in the 1940s, and was active in Bollywood till his death in early 1980s. Khud-Daar in 1982 was his last release. Patanga (1949), Apradh, Dream Girl, Hera Pheri, Azaad,Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, Love & God, Sasural, College Girl, Gharana, Pocket Maar and Mr. X in Bombay are a few more films in which he appeared.

Randhir – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He was best known for playing side hero roles during 1940s and 1950s, before experimenting with middle-aged roles in the 1960s.

2. He played ‘Maharaja’ with rich costumes, apart from moneylender roles.