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Not every Bollywood journey begins with a dream to be on the silver screen — and
Mac Mohan
’s tale is proof of just that. Born as Mohan Makijany in Karachi (then British India), he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional cricketer. But destiny had a far more dramatic script written for him — one that would eventually make him a cult villain in Indian cinema.
Yes, you read that right! Mac Mohan, the man who gave Bollywood some of its most iconic negative characters, once wanted to play for the Indian cricket team. However, fate had other plans. His love for theatre and acting led him to Mumbai, where he enrolled in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). From there, his transformation from a cricket aspirant to one of Hindi cinema’s most recognizable villains began.
With a career spanning over four decades, Mac Mohan featured in more than 200 films — and almost always on the darker side of the screen. Whether it was his menacing stare, husky voice, or memorable screen presence, he became a go-to face for villainy in the '70s and '80s. But what truly made him a household name was a role with just one line in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay (1975). That’s right — "Sambha" might have said little, but his presence was unforgettable. That single dialogue turned Mac Mohan into a pop culture legend.
Here’s a lesser-known fun fact that connects him to present-day Bollywood glam: Mac Mohan was the maternal uncle of none other than actress Raveena Tandon. Talk about talent running in the family! Despite his tough-guy image on screen, those who knew Mac Mohan off-screen described him as a warm, gentle, and kind-hearted soul — a stark contrast to the ruthless characters he played.
He passed away in 2010 after battling cancer, but Mac Mohan’s legacy still lives on — not just in dialogues and memes, but in the sheer impact he had on shaping the quintessential Bollywood villain.
English (US)