Kanwarjit Paintal

Kanwarjit Paintal Biography

Kanwarjit Paintal, better known as Paintal is a popular comedian associated with Bollywood films in the 1970s and 1980s. Noted television actor Gufi Paintal is his younger brother. Known for many iconic scenes in Bollywood classic hits of 1970s and 1980s, Paintal is known for his comedy timing, dialogue delivery and distinct style and mannerisms. His son Hiten Paintal is also an actor, most popular with television. He played one among the 7 brothers of Amitabh Bachchan in the comedy classic – Sathe pe satta. He has also played a few serious roles for television serials like Pyar Ka Dard Hain Kuch Meetha Meetha.

Some of his iconic roles on silver screen include - Arun in Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Guruji in Bawarchi (1972), Astrologer in Parichay (1972), Rattan in Jawani Diwani (1972), Totaram in Jangal Mein Mangal (1972), Kamal in Heera Panna (1973), Ramu in Khote Sikkay (1973), Headmaster in Roti (1974), Salma in Rafoo Chakkar (1975) and Budh Anand in Satte Pe Satta (1982). Though not associated with movies nowadays he played cameo roles in Bollywood films, Kaalo (2010) and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (2009). He was also seen in 2009 film – Paying Guest.

He was born into a Sikh family in Amritsar, who later moved to Delhi. During his time it was very difficult to break into the film industry, since only a small segment of people were associated with it and opportunities were less. He got encouragement from his father who was associated with Pancholi Arts in Lahore before Partition. He was a cameraman in the industry who couldn’t make it big in the industry and later settled with a photography shop. Paintal was actively involved in school plays and stage shows in Delhi. Yet he desired to join the Naval Avia­tion instead and become a pilot.

But destiny was something else and he landed into the same field, where his father became unsuccessful. An ad of newly opened Pune film institute was published in the paper. After encouragement from his father he applied for the course and got selected. Same time, he got selection from navy as well, which he was not interested as it was a bit dangerous. He studied at Pune and was a first class first student. He came to Mumbai in 1969 and got associated with movies. In 2008 he was the Head of the Acting Department of FTII.

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Updated: February 20, 2016