Latest news with #ManikIrani
India.com
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Not Pran, Gabbar Singh, this dreaded villain, who started as stuntman, became success factor for Amitabh Bachchan's career, he was...
In the shadows of Bollywood's golden era, where towering heroes like Jai-Veeru and iconic villains like Late Pran, Late Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh, ruled screen, there existed a formidable presence whose name rarely adorned the marquee. With physique that rivaled leading men and a screen presence that left an indelible mark, he became unsung enforcer of countless cinematic tales. Yet, behind the scenes, his life was tapestry of ambition, struggle, and an untimely end that left many questions unanswered. Who was this actor? Here we are talking about Late Manik Irani, affectionately known in the industry as 'Billa.' Born on October 23, 1953, into a Parsi family in Mumbai, Irani's fascination with physical strength and bodybuilding set him apart from his peers. Inspired by wrestling legend Dara Singh, he pursued a path that led him to the world of cinema, not as a leading man, but as stuntman and character actor. His journey began under the mentorship of renowned action director M.B. Shetty, who recognized Irani's potential and brought him into the fold of Bollywood's action scene. How was Manik Irani's filmy career? Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Irani's filmography expanded to include notable roles in Mard (1985), where he played the formidable Zebisko, and Purani Haveli (1989), where he took on the role of a monstrous antagonist. However, it was his role as the menacing henchman 'Billa' in Subhash Ghai's 1983 film Hero that catapulted him into the limelight. How Manik Irani became success factor of Amitabh Bachchan? Manik Irani, played a key behind-the-scenes role in Amitabh Bachchan's success. As his body double and stunt performer, Irani handled risky action scenes in films like Don and Trishul. His strength and agility helped enhance Bachchan's action image, making him an unsung hero in the superstar's rise during the 70s and 80s, shaping 'Angry Young Man' persona that became Bachchan's trademark. How was Manik Irani's personal life? Despite his on-screen success, Irani's personal life was marred by hardship. Following a separation from his wife, he single-handedly raised his son, only to face the devastating loss of his child to illness. These personal tragedies, coupled with the pressures of the industry, led Irani down a path of alcoholism. His health deteriorated, and he passed away on June 16, 1991, at the young age of 37. Story Highlights Manik Irani, known as 'Billa,' was a prominent stuntman and character actor in 1980s Bollywood. Manik Irani, famously known as Billa, was a stunt double for Amitabh Bachchan. He performed dangerous action scenes in films like Don and Trishul. Irani's personal life was fraught with tragedy, including loss of his son and struggles with alcoholism, due to which he passed away at age of 37.
News18
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
This Bollywood Villain Who Made Amitabh Bachchan A Star Had To Bury His Own Son
Last Updated: He featured in hit films like Kalicharan, Trishul, Don, Vishwanath, Mr. Natwarlal, Shaan, Silsila, Nastik, and Mangal Pandey, with Kalicharan's 'dumb rogue' role leaving a mark In the 100-year history of Hindi cinema, many stars have come and gone. While some remained forever in the corridors of Bollywood, others became anonymous despite their talent. During a time when the demand for action films surged, casting a villain became a significant challenge for filmmakers. However, Bollywood produced many great villains, including Pran, Ajit, Ranjit, Prem Chopra, Amjad Khan, Amrish Puri, and Danny Denzongpa. In the 1970s and 1980s, the audience would applaud and tremble with fear when Amjad Khan's Gabbar Singh or Ajit's Lion dialogue echoed on the screen. Yet, there were many dreaded villains in Bollywood whose fear-inducing presence on screen left a lasting impression on the audience, only for them to be forgotten over time. One such actor who consistently scared audiences as a 'cunning villain' was Manik Irani. It is said that without this actor's support, Amitabh Bachchan might not have become a superstar. But what happened to this good-hearted person behind the scenes was tragic. Began Career As A Stuntman Manik Irani, a fan of Dara Singh, began his career as a stuntman. In the 1970s and 1980s, he became known in Bollywood as the dreaded villain 'Billa'. There is no specific information about his birth, but according to some media reports, he was born into a Parsi family in Mysore. Manik Irani started working in films as a stuntman, initially serving as the hero's body double. Career Takes Off For Amitabh Bachchan Manik Irani significantly contributed to Amitabh Bachchan's career, performing all the stunts in the hit film ' Don ' as Amitabh's body double. Irani, being slightly taller than Amitabh, effortlessly executed all the stunts. Despite ' Don ' being a superhit and everyone praising Amitabh, Irani did not receive any credit or recognition for his work. Gained Fame As Billa Through These Films Manik Irani appeared in notable films like Kalicharan, Trisul, Don, Vishwanath, Mr. Natwarlal, Shaan, Silsila, Nastik, and Mangal Pandey. In Kalicharan, he played a memorable 'dumb rogue" character that remains etched in audience memory. He later starred in Trishul alongside Amitabh Bachchan, delivering a fierce fight scene with the superstar. His breakthrough came with Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983), where he portrayed the villain 'Billa'. The role cemented his reputation as a prominent Bollywood villain, and even today, fans remember him by the name 'Billa'. Had To Witness His Son's Funeral Manik Irani's personal life was marked by tragedy. His wife left him, and he alone raised his beloved son. However, his son's sudden illness and subsequent death devastated him, leading him to succumb to alcoholism. This addiction ultimately ruined him. Unfortunately, his life ended in tragedy due to excessive drinking. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood's infamous villain's henchman, body double to Amitabh Bachchan, met an untimely end at just 37
Long before stunt performers were credited or celebrated, Bollywood's high-octane action scenes were shaped by unsung heroes behind the camera. Among them was Manik Irani, a dedicated stuntman and character actor who spent much of his career doubling for Amitabh Bachchan and supporting villains in classic Hindi cinema. Born on October 23, 1953 into a Parsi family in Mumbai, Manik Irani was fascinated by physical strength from an early age. Inspired by wrestling icon Dara Singh, he was drawn more to bodybuilding and physical training than to academics. But unlike most young men dreaming of stardom, Manik had a different ambition: he wanted to be a stuntman. That dream began to take shape when he started boxing on the streets and came into contact with MB Shetty, a prominent action director and stunt coordinator of the time, and father of filmmaker Rohit Shetty. Impressed by Manik's skills and physique, Shetty invited him to join his stunt team. It was a turning point Irani had long waited for, and he joined without hesitation. It was as if his story was already being written by fate. Manik Irani entered the film industry at a time when romantic heroes were fading from the spotlight. Rajesh Khanna, Hindi cinema's first superstar, was losing his hold on audiences, while a new, brooding force named Amitabh Bachchan was rising rapidly with his portrayal of gritty, simmering anger. For years, Manik Irani's roles remained small, often uncredited. But that changed with Mr. Natwarlal (1979), where he played a mute villager secretly working for the villain, essayed by Amjad Khan. It was a modest role, but one that gave Manik visibility. From the 1980s onward, he began receiving roles with dialogues and distinct screen presence. Manik adopted a more fearsome look in the early '80s, growing a full beard, bulking up, and sporting an intimidating smile that left an impression. He then appeared in major big budget films of that decade, including Shaan (1980), Naseeb (1981), and Silsila (1981). After collaborating with Don filmmaker Chandra Barot, Manik Irani was set to appear in his next project, Boss, alongside Vinod Khanna. However, the film was eventually shelved. It was finally Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983) that gave Manik the screen identity that stuck for life. He played a menacing goon named Billa, and though Jackie Shroff was the film's breakout star, the name of Manik's character became so popular that it became his off-screen identity too. From then on, he was known as 'Billa' — both in the industry and among audiences. Among his notable roles in the 1980s were his portrayal of Zebisko in Manmohan Desai's Mard (1985) and the monster in the Ramsay Brothers' Purani Haveli (1989). Although Purani Haveli didn't make a major mark at the box office, it marked a departure for Manik Irani. Playing the monster in the horror film allowed him to break away from the stereotypical villainous characters he was known for. He had already begun moving away from his established image, exploring different shades on screen over the years, occasionally taking on positive roles, most notably in Vishwanath (1978) and Aamne Samne (1982). He also made a rare appearance in Marathi cinema with Maal Masala (1992), where he was credited as 'Black Belt Champion Manik Irani' in a comedic karate instructor role alongside Ashok Saraf. Also Read | Film and TV actor, who worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi, was not at peace with fame; left showbiz at the peak of his career and embraced spirituality Manik remained active in films well into the early '90s, starring in films such as Chor Pe Mor (1990), Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990), Farishtay (1991), Saugandh (1991) and Deedar (1992), the latter two featuring a young Akshay Kumar. But fame brought with it a personal struggle. Manik reportedly became a heavy drinker, and despite being warned after a jaundice diagnosis, he continued to consume alcohol. His fitness declined, and he began to appear visibly heavier in his later roles. Tragically, he passed away on June 16, 1991, at the age of 37. News of his death remained relatively unknown at the time. Films featuring him continued to release posthumously, including Talaashi (1996) and Badla Aurat Ka (2001), leading some to mistakenly believe he was still alive. Though never a leading man, Manik Irani lived the life he aspired to. In an industry dominated by stars, he managed to carve out a unique space for himself.
