Meet the actor who, after working as a tailor for only Rs. 20, went to prison, and then starred in the highest-grossing Indian film ever

Avtar Kishan Hangal, who was often referred to in the film business as AK Hangal, was a multifaceted individual. He was well-known in the theater and political spheres before he made his debut in the film industry later in life.

We shall discuss his extraordinary life today, since he is one of the most well-known characters in Indian film.

Childhood:

Early interest in theater and action for the cause of independence defined AK Hangal’s life. He refined his skills as a theater actor and committed himself to the cause of India’s independence before earning his name in the movie business.

1914 saw the birth of AK Hangal in Sialkot, United Punjab. He spent his formative years in Peshawar, where he first developed an interest in theater. He took an active role in the Indian independence struggle as a teenager, serving three years in jail between 1929 and 1947.

Hangal joined the Shree Sangeet Priya Mandal, a Peshawar theater organization, in 1936 and performed in a number of plays there till 1946. After his father retired, the family moved to Karachi, where Hangal kept up his involvement in the theater industry. He relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) during the partition and made friends with well-known actors like Kaifi Azmi and Balraj Sahni. With them, Hangal became a member of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). He became one of Bombay’s most respected theater performers during the following fifteen years, actively taking part in several productions and garnering a great deal of recognition.

held a tailoring job:

In an interview, he said, “I stayed back in Pakistan after the Partition, but I was arrested because of communist ideologies,” according to Reddif.com. I was imprisoned for two years. Because I would fight against everything, from poor meals to subpar public amenities, I was often beaten. I was urged to go to India and quit Pakistan. But how could I leave my birthplace and culture behind? Since I was the only Hindu among them, several Muslim elders in my party once advised me to go to India and begin working for parties there. I had twelve hours to get out of Pakistan.”

“I wanted to visit my sister in New Delhi, but I didn’t have the money,” he said. I had only Rs 20 with me when I arrived in Mumbai. That made me 21 years old. I met several Karachi-based acquaintances who looked after my family and myself. I soon secured a job paying Rs 500 a month as a tailor. This was a significant sum back in 1949. I used to serve wealthy patrons, including Britishers and the nawab of Pataudi. I had to wear suits to work because I wanted to seem put together at all times.”

challenging moments

Due to age and health concerns, AK Hangal found it impossible to continue his work after 2007. According to reports, he was finding it difficult to pay for his medical bills, and his son, retired cinematographer Vijay Hangal, made it even more difficult for the family to manage their money and health. When the actor’s plight was brought to light in 2011, a number of politicians and movie stars, including Prithviraj Chavan, the chief minister of Maharashtra, stepped forward to offer their financial support.

In 2012, Hangal returned to acting and starred in the television series “Madhubala” because to the encouragement he got. Regretfully, it would be his last performance since he died in August of the same year at the age of 98. His contributions to cinema and his varied performances have left a lasting impact in the film business.