MUMBAI: Before Ajit became the iconic Bollywood villain with his trademark soft yet menacing drawl, he faced an unusual challenge during the shooting of the film "Dharti" (1970). The scene required him to come down on a lift with a tiger on a leash to where veteran actor Balraj Sahni was waiting. However, Sahni refused to participate, stating that he agreed to "work with humans, not beasts." This led to a scene being shot without Sahni, but not before Ajit received a tongue-lashing from the esteemed actor.

Recalling the incident in an article for the Urdu film magazine 'Shama' in 1975, Ajit mentioned that Sahni pointed out that while the tiger's mouth may have been stitched shut, its paws were not—a lesson in dealing with big cats onscreen.

Ajit's journey in Bollywood began quite unexpectedly. Born Hamid Ali Khan in Golconda in 1922, he had never envisioned a film career. Encouraged by a teacher at the University Arts & Science College, Warangal, he ventured into films with dreams of becoming a hero. His journey involved selling textbooks, facing financial struggles, and even making cement pipes his home at times.

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Ajit's early films included "Kurukshetra" (1945) and "Shah-e-Misr" (1945), but success eluded him. It was only after some directors suggested a name change, and filmmaker K. Amarnath proposed "Ajit" that his fortunes began to change. Despite initial struggles, Ajit worked with leading heroines of his time, with notable appearances in films like "Beqasoor" (1950) and "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960).

His transition to playing villains, suggested by his friend Rajendra Kumar, marked a turning point in his career. Ajit brought a new dimension to villainous roles, portraying suave, sophisticated characters with a soft-spoken yet menacing demeanour. His urban villain persona, clad in fashionable attire with glamorous molls, became his trademark.

Ajit's legacy extends beyond his villainous roles, with performances as Inspector Girdharilal in "Mr Natwarlal" (1979) showcasing his versatility. Today, on his birth anniversary, we remember Ajit for his unique journey—from facing tigers onscreen to becoming Bollywood's suave and iconic villain.

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Credit: Prokerala