Actors Who Got Typecast Playing Best Buddies To Leads On-Screen
Posted On: 09 May 2023 | Last Updated : 09 May 2023 | Views : 601
There were days when we got to see the quintessential comedian playing the best friend of the male lead who would not just generate a few laughs but also play an instrumental role in helping the hero get the heroine or rescue him from the villains. Those days are long gone when there would be cold war’s erupting among supporting actors over ‘second lead’ offers. The concept of the main lead, however, still exists but the door of opportunities to play second fiddles aka best buddies has become bigger who end up getting metier roles and the best punchlines! Films are not always about big stars but also about crucial and memorable performances on which the fate of every movie largely depends. If we look back at some of the many talented actors post-90s, there have been quite a few who have managed to win us over with their brilliant performances that remain etched in our memories even today.
1. Deepak Tijori
After the likes of comedians such as Rakesh Bedi, Ravi Baswani, Deven Verma, Rajendra Nath, Mehmood, Jr. Mehmood, Johny Lever, and Laxmikant Berde moved on, it was Deepak Tijori who became famous for playing second fiddle to top heroes. He was the quintessential best friend on-screen who helped the hero get his girl after bashing up the goons to make a happy ending. Though Deepak Tijori did try his hand at playing the lead in a few films but all tanked at the box office. Some of his memorable films in which he played best friend to the male lead were Aashiqui, Sadak, Khiladi, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Bal Brahmachari, Ghulam, Vaastav, etc.
2. Arshad Warsi
Arshad Warsi is one of the Bollywood stars who has yet to get his due as an actor. Unfortunately, he also happens to be one of the top actors who was typecast to playing best friends to lead actors. Though he has done many meaningful roles but most of them as a lead haven’t done well at the box office except for Jolly LL.B (2013). In a career spanning over two and a half decades, Arshad has played the best friend on a number of occasions such as Tere Mere Sapne, Betaabi, Munna Bhai, Hulchul, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Golmaal, Dhamaal, Bhaiaji Superhittt, Bachchhan Paandey and others.
3. Vrajesh Hirjee
Vrajesh Hirjee graduated from the small screen to the big screen with Rakesh Roshan’s Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) where he played Hrithik Roshan’s best pal and thereafter appeared as the male leads friend in films such as Aashiq, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, Kya Tehi Pyaar Hai, Fanaa, Krrish 3, etc. He is most remembered for his role as Pandurang, Anthony Gonsalves and Teja in the Golmaal series where he didn’t play the hero’s best pal but was pitted against him.
4. Shreyas Talpade
Another popular actor who got typecast to playing best friends to leading actors is Shreyas Talpade. Shreyas Talpade who is popular in Hindi as well as Marathi language films started his career by acting in TV serials and got to play a small role as a tea stall vendor in Vipul Shah’s Aankhen in 2002. After playing the lead in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal he went on to play the second lead in popular films like Apna Sapna Money Money, Om Shanti Om, Housefull 2, Poster Boys, Golmaal series, etc.
5. Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub
The talented Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub had all the makings of playing a lead but reasons best known to him soon started playing the male leads best friend after a successful debut in No One Killed Jessica where he played Manish Bharadwaj. Despite getting noticed for his performance in his debut film he soon started to get to play the second lead in films like Jannat 2, Raanjhanaa, Raja Natwarlal, Dolly Ki Doli, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Raees, Thugs of Hindostan, Zero, etc.
6. Vishal Malhotra
Vishal Malhotra is another Bollywood actor who started his acting career by appearing in TV serials before graduating to the big screen where he got to play the quintessential best buddy of the male lead. Some of the popular films where he featured as the hero’s best friend was Ishq Vishk, Kaal, Salaam-E-Ishq, Jannat, Ugly Aur Pagli, Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi, Kismat Konnection, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, Anjaana Anjaani, etc.
7. Aparshakti Khurana
Believe it or not, Aparshakti Khurana too is a part of the list of famous actors who got typecast to playing best friends to leading actors. Though still new to Bollywood, he has done a variety of roles but looking back at them most have been playing second fiddle to the hero. Some of his movies that straightaway come to mind are - Dangal, Stree, Luka Chuppi, Jabariya Jodi, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Hum Do Hamare Do, etc.
8. Deepak Dobriyal
Many may not believe but Deepak Dobriyal has been around in Bollywood for over two decades. One of the most underestimated actors among the current lot, he has done a gamut of roles showcasing the volcano of talent he possesses but looking back at his filmography he has played the hero’s good friend in a number of films. Some of the popular films in which he played the hero’s best buddy include Omkara, 1971, Tanu Weds Manu, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Hindi Medium, Lucknow Central, Baaghi 2, Har Kisse Ke Hisse: Kaamyaab, Angrezi Medium, Bhediya, etc.
9. Abhishek Banerjee
Another Bollywood actor who got typecast to playing best friends to leading actors is Abhishek Bannerji. Abhishek Bannerji started his Bollywood career as a casting director before getting to play Rajkummar Rao’s best buddy in the much successful Stree. The success of Stree helped him bag major films and acting became his bread and butter. In a short period of time, he has done some amazingly funny second fiddle roles such as Stree, Dream Girl, Bala, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Helmet, Nazar Andaaz, Bhediya, etc.
10. Sahil Vaid
Sahil Vaid is an actor who came up the ranks before signing big banner films. He came as a whiff of fresh air who was deemed fit to play the so-called loyal friend to his on-screen childhood friend. His comic timing and infectious smile was enough to make the audience take note of him. Some of his memorable films have been Kaanchi, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Bank Chor, Dil Bechara, Coolie No.1, Shershaah, Babli Bouncer, etc.
11. Varun Sharma
Varun Sharma had all the makings of a promising actor who was set to go places and started on the right note but slowly and steadily he too fell into the bracket of Bollywood top actors who got typecast to playing best friends to leading actors. Though he acted with big stars and banners but all that audience got was a repeated act of ‘Choocha’ in film after film. In a majority of the films, he has done so far, he has played the good buddy of the lead including Fukrey, Dolly Ki Doli, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, Dilwale, FryDay, Roohi, Chhichhore, Cirkus, etc.
12. Divyendu Sharma
Another naturally talented actor who graduated from FTII and so far, has played second fiddle roles to lead actors in most of his films. If not for the web series Mirzapur Divyendu Sharma almost would have ended his career as the Bollywood actor with most ‘best friend’ roles in his filmography. Some of his memorable roles as the leads best friend have been - Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Chashme Baddoor, Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, 2016 The End, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Thai Massage, etc.
