A K Hangal was an exceptional figure. He was the first person interviewed by the author. Their meeting took place in Patna in the 1980s, after Hangal’s performance in a play. Despite his exhaustion and reluctance, Hangal agreed to an interview. The interview was conducted with Hangal reclining, sharing anecdotes about his early life and his successful career as a character actor in Hindi cinema.
He recounted his family’s tailoring background and how he took on roles as fathers or uncles. He was 52 when he began his acting career with a small part in Basu Bhattacharya’s Teesri Kasam. Hangal reflected on his ease in getting such roles, as he was already bald and appeared older, making him suitable for the parts. These roles, he noted, ‘kept his kitchen fires burning.’
He fondly recalled working with Jaya Bachchan, playing her father in numerous films, which led to many people believing they were related. He mentioned his favorite film with her, Anil Ganguly’s Kora Kagaz, specifically the scene where they had an emotional exchange without speaking. He also spoke about Basu Chatterjee’s Shaukeen, where he played a character interested in women, which was unusual for actors of a certain age.
One of Hangal’s most memorable scenes was in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, where he played a blind Muslim father devastated by his son’s death. Dharmendra, the lead actor in Sholay, noted the scene’s emotional impact, with Hangal’s performance leaving a lasting impression despite the brevity of his role.