It is entirely possible to not know Mehar Banu’s name even if one has watched Hindi films of the ’60s and the ’70s in abundance. This petite woman with greying hair has featured in many popular films of that era often cast in uncredited minor roles of mother, aunt, community elder or bystander.
While Nirupa Roy, Leela Chitnis or Leela Mishra were the go-to actors for important maternal roles, there were bit parts that didn’t require established players like them. For such requirements, junior artistes like Ms Banu did the job swimmingly well.
So when Sharmila Tagore’s Pushpa needed a mom to denigrate her and kick her out of the house in the beginning of Amar Prem (1972), we have Mehar Banu doing the job suitably.
As the hapless mother in Guddi (1971) whose showbiz-obsessed son decamps with all the valuables.
In a funny appearance in Mera Saaya (1966), she’s Sadhana’s mischievous cell mate who has been instructed to relay a message. Needless to say, she understood the assignment.
There are a few instances like Dev Anand-starrer Asli Naqli (1962) where the actress features significantly along with a prominent mention in the film’s opening credits.
But it is her appearances in Manmohan Desai’s ’70s hits that really are most interesting and with hilarious outcomes.
* As Gangubai, the bringer of bad news neighbour in Amar Akbar Anthony (1977).
* As the shocked midwife in Dharam Veer (1977) who had to deliver these epic lines:
“Rani maa, aapka pehla bachcha panchhi utha ke le gaya!”
* Finally, the dual appearances in Suhaag (1979) where neither one had to do anything with the other. True MKD magic.
[Movie screenshots courtesy: Amazon Prime | Zee5]
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