Mehmood Junior

Mehmood Junior Biography

Mehmood Junior (Junior Mehmood) was a popular child star of late 1960s and early 1970s, having acted in 264 films. He was quite popular among filmgoers as he closely resembled the comedy king of Bollywood 1960s – Mehmood. It was the actor himself who rechristened him as Junior Mehmood. His original name is Naeem Sayyed, born in 1956. He enacted the parody of Mehmood’s most popular song – Hum Kaale Hai To Kya Hua Dilwale Hai (Gumnaam) for 1967 movie – Brahmachari which made him immensely popular. However as time passed by, producers were not interested for casting him in their movies. He produced several Marathi movies later and also did numerous stage shows.

Naeem Sayyed was born in 1956. He joined film industry when he was 9. His family lived in Antop Hill, Wadala, in Mumbai. His father was an engine driver and they lived in Railway quarters. He was third among 6 siblings. Since school days he was interested in mimicking actors, more than studies and he used perform regularly since those days. His elder brother was a still photographer at a film studio, who used to tell him about the film world and Sayyed got attracted to it. He became curious to see the shooting and one day he reached there accompanied by his brother.

The shooting of Kitna Nazook Hai Dil where Johnny Walker played a teacher, was going on. When a child artist couldn’t deliver the dialogues, Sayyed who was standing behind the director mocked him. He was not aware that he was standing behind the director, who asked him to deliver those dialogues which Naeem did in elan. Thus Sayyed faced camera for the first time. Though it was his first movie, it got shelved. But he got attracted to film world and started with small roles.

He was introduced by Saawan Kumar Tak, through his debut movie as a producer – Naunihal. Junior Mehmood made a career out of imitating his guru, Mehmood, who himself appreciated his talents and gave his new name. Sayyed tied a gaanth on his wrist and paid him five rupees and 25 paise as dakshina to be accepted as his disciple. That's when he bestowed his own name upon Sayyed and called him ‘Junior Mehmood’. Since then he is known by the same name, which transformed his life completely.

There was a day when he was a busy star and he was the proud owner of one of the 12 imported cars in the city of Mumbai. Though as an adult actor he appeared regularly in Bollywood movies, he was not able to make the mark as a good actor and very often played comedy relief characters and sidekick roles. As a teenager, Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se was a memorable role.

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Updated: December 26, 2015