Meet Bollywood’s Unsung Giant Actors Who Played Henchmen
Posted On: 17 Dec 2024 | Last Updated : 17 Dec 2024 | Views : 109
If Bollywood heroes were incomplete without heroines and comedians, then its villains were incomplete without its henchmen. Bollywood henchmen were made to look tough who brought grit and muscle to movies. They were characters who often laid down their lives before the quintessential hero could eventually kill the main antagonist. Being and playing an on-screen henchman was never easy, especially since they came into existence in the 70s and 80s, they looked huge, tall, deadly, menacing, and strong, giving the heroes a run for their money. Bollywood has witnessed a set of unsung actors whose performances, though often limited to supporting roles, have left a lasting impact on audiences. Their six-plus frame, rugged looks, towering presence, and fierce expressions often outshine even lead characters in their scenes. Here’s a look at some of Bollywood’s underrated giant-monster henchmen who went unsung:
1. Shamsuddin
A regular villain in the Ramsay brothers’ horror movies, Shamsuddin (a.k.a. Shamshuddin Shaikh) was 6’ 6” tall and probably the first so-called Bollywood’s tallest actors. The giant Bollywood actor started his acting journey in 1978 with the superhit horror-thriller Darwaza. He also appeared in Purana Mandir, Bhago Bhoot Aaya, Tahkhana, Dak Bangla, Khooni Mahal, Veerana and Shaitani Ilaaka, etc. Some of his monster acts were as Reecha in Katilon Ke Kaatil, Baazi, Sitamgar, Shiva Ka Insaaf, Loha, Tridev and Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, etc.
2. Anirudh Agarwal
Standing tall at 6’ 5” (1.96 m), Anirudh Agarwal instilled instant fear as soon as he appeared on-screen. Also known as Ajay Agarwal, Anirudh was one of Bollywood’s first fearsome giant henchmen actors who initially acted in Ramsay films including Purana Mandir, Saamri 3D, and Bandh Darwaza. He also acted in Kasam, Ram Lakhan, Tahalka and Trimurti but his claim to fame remains his monster act as Babu Gujjar in director Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen (1996), and Aamir Khan’s Mela (2000).
3. Praveen Kumar
Praveen Kumar Sobti became famous for playing the character of Bheem in director B.R. Chopra’s TV serial Mahabharat in 1988. Initially a hammer and discus thrower, he was a silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston and the Asian Games in Tehran in 1974. Post-retirement, his height of 6’ 7” fetched him small supporting roles in biggies like Meri Aawaz Suno (1981), Ghazab (1982), Hum Se Hai Zamana (1983), Raaj Tilak (1984), etc. Some of his most memorable roles were as Xaca in Yudh (1985), Zoravar in Karishma Kudrat Ka (1985), Kaal Bhairav in Singhasan (1986), Shera in Loha (1987), Rakshas in Hukumat (1987) and Mukhtar Singh in Shahenshah (1988), etc.
4. Gorilla
Another Bollywood monster actor who we only knew by face and not by name was Gorilla. Though most of his roles were stopping the hero from escaping with the heroine, Gorilla was one giant actor of the big screen who easily would have been 6’ 5” tall. He played the henchman in many films, starting with Adventures of Tarzan (1985) and later featuring in Sultanat (1986), Main Balwaan (1986), Khooni Mahal (1987), Veerana (1988), Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988), Jaadugar (1989), Farishtay (1991), Tahalka (1992) and Aankhen (1993). His memorable roles were as Zimbera in Veerana, Sabboo in Sherdil, and Gorilla in Trinetra.
5. Madan Singh
Madan Singh also joins the list of Bollywood hulk actors who appeared in a handful of films but will go down as one of the unsung heroes of the silver screen. With his 6-foot-something monster frame-like structure, Madan Singh was known for his roles in Rustom Sohrab (1967), Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) and Aladin (2009). His most notable work was in Neeraj Vora’s Phir Hera Pheri where only his body was shown but his face hidden throughout the film.
6. Randhir Singh
Remembered as one of the rare giant actors of Bollywood, Randhir Singh’s on-screen presence spelled terror among audiences. A veteran monster henchman who yet again was a Ramsay discovery who marked his Bollywood debut in a small role in Ramsay’s superhit horror-thriller Darwaza in 1978. His other popular films remain Loha (1987), Sau Saal Baad (1987), Mujrim (1989), Tridev (1989), Jaadugar (1989), Fateh (1991), Darinda (2005) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008). His most memorable role was playing Yeti in Ajooba Kudrat Ka (1991).
7. Khali
Khali a.k.a. Dalip Singh Rana was probably the most famous of all Bollywood’s giant actors. Known mostly as ‘The Great Khali’, before making his acting debut, he was a WWE wrestler who won many Wrestle Mania belts. He appeared in a couple of Bollywood films, including Kushti (2010) and Ramaa: The Saviour (2010) and a few Punjabi films. He is also known for acting in a few web series and English films like Get Smart (2008), The Longest Yard (2005) and MacGruber (2010).
8. Surender Thakur
Newbie Surender Thakur is one of Bollywood’s scariest actors who can run shivers down your spine whenever he appears on-screen. This 6 feet 4 inches supporting actor is bound to go places with his performances, which might be small but memorable. He made his acting debut by playing a cameo in the comedy-horror flick, Phone Bhoot (2022) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024). He also played the role of a prisoner in the web series Mirzapur (2024).
9. Sunil Kumar
Probably Bollywood’s tallest actor in terms of height is none other than our ‘Sarkata’ actor, Sunil Kumar, who scared the audiences most with his ‘Aatank’ in the Rajkummar Rao-Shraddha Kapoor starrer, Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank (2024). Many thought the VFX created the monster in the film, but the spooky 7-footer ghost actor got credit for his incredible performance.
10. Yogesh Jadhav
MMA Fighter turned actor, Yogesh Yadav has already made waves in the entertainment industry by showcasing his acting talent in director Anees Bazmee’s horror comedy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) where he played the small role of the Senapati of Rakht Ghat Kingdom in 1824. Known as the gentle giant, Yogesh is a professional MMA fighter who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and is proficient in boxing, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He made his acting debut in the Marathi period drama film Har Har Mahadev in 2022.
