Naushad Abbas

QAMYAB – THE FORGOTTEN GEMS OF BOLLYWOOD

Qamyab is our humble tribute to all those lesser-known actors, one hit wonders and junior artists who we see umpteen times but don’t know about; beyond their faces. These actors have been an integral part of Bollywood but didn’t get their due. This series is our sincere attempt to put a name to these faces, familiarize them to our readers and celebrate their achievements in life – however big or small. We believe that every artist contributes in his/her own way to the cinema’s success. Qamyab will explore the unknown lives of such actors and artists as we believe even these forgotten gems of Bollywood deserve their due recognition today.

Till now, our series has covered lead actors and character artists but this week, we are presenting a stuntman who is always seen in fight sequences. Since ages, stuntmen like him indulge in all kinds of difficult fights and risky action like jumping from top floor, breaking a glass door and driving a car turtle. These action guys are always part of the villain gang who attack the hero but he is strong enough to bash them all together. Our sincere tribute to these unsung heroes who pull off these dangerous stunts all by themselves risking their lives just to provide us some moments of entertainment. Few known fighters in Hindi films are Julian, Johnny, Yusuf, Hanif and Noora.

One such familiar face who has worked with all these fighters and top heroes since the mid ‘80s is Naushad Abbas. Few might not know him by his name but will certainly remember seeing him in the action-packed blockbusters of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Naushad Abbas, who was born in Bihar, came to Mumbai in 1981 in search of work and started living with his brother. Being part of films was never in his mind then though as a kid, he acted in school plays.

It was in the year 1983 when Subhash Ghai’s Hero became a roaring success that aroused Naushad’s interest in Bollywood. After Hero’s release, many of his friends started complimenting him as lookalike of Jackie Shroff and asked him to join films. Naushad still felt acting was not his cup of tea. Interestingly, he was living in Mumbai’s Teen Batti area where Jackie Shroff used to stay before his stardom.

Soon enough, Naushad Abbas was introduced to Jackie Shroff by a common friend and he discussed about their similarity in looks and potential in pursuing a film career. In his typical style, Jackie cautioned Naushad saying that it’s not so easy as it looks. “Bahut maar khaana padega tereko bhiddu. You will get hurt and can break your bones as well”. This meeting with his idol Jaggu Dada (as Jackie is still affectionately called) had boosted Naushad Abbas confidence and he decided to plunge in to the Bollywood industry. Jaggu Dada got his card made not just for the fighters’ association but also as an actor.

Naushad made his debut with the Gujarati film Maro Rasiyo Saajan (1986) followed by a small role in Ramanand Sagar’s popular TV series Ramayana (1987) where he appeared in the Vatika scene. But soon he realized that becoming a stuntman is easier than playing a character actor and worked in that direction.

Naushad Abbas’s actual acting career in Hindi films started with Ramesh Sippy’s Bhrashtachar 1989 starring Mithun Chakraborty and Rekha. The same year, he went on to act in big films like Dost Garibon Ka, Gair Kanooni, Farz Ki Jung, Desh Ke Dushman and above all, the blockbuster hit Maine Pyar Kiya.

In the next few years, Naushad appeared in many films as a goon or a molester who would end up getting beaten up by the hero. One notable performance was in the movie titled Chor Pe Mor in which he did an action scene not for a particular hero but for comedian Ashok Saraf playing his body double hit by a moving car. The scene caught attention of filmmakers who saw Naushad as a fighter who could act as well if given proper dialogues.