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Dinesh Hingoo

DineshHingoo
DineshHingoo Image: Wikimedia Commons. Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Dinesh Hingoo (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian former actor who is known for comic and supporting roles in Hindi cinema. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he appeared in over 300 films, beginning with Taqdeer (1967) and continuing until Be Careful (2011). He is recognised for his distinctive laughter and his impersonations, particularly that of a Parsi businessman.

Key facts

Name Dinesh Hingoo
Born 13 April 1940
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor, stand-up comedian
Years active 1967–2011
Notable role Chaman Jhinga in Hera Pheri (2000)
Film debut Taqdeer (1967)
Final film Be Careful (2011)

Background

Before establishing himself in Hindi cinema, Hingoo worked as a stand-up comedian, performing with several orchestras. His stage routines drew on impersonations and comic timing, traits that later defined his screen persona. In an interview, the actor and comedian Johny Lever credited Hingoo with giving him his first opportunity to perform on stage as a comedian.

Career

Hingoo entered Hindi films with Taqdeer in 1967 and went on to appear in supporting parts and bit roles across mainstream commercial cinema. His filmography includes Qurbani, Saajan, Baazigar, Humraaz, Daraar, No Entry, Judaai, Khoobsurat, Hera Pheri (2000), Phir Hera Pheri and Anubhav.

He is best remembered for the role of Chaman Jhinga in Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri (2000), a comic supporting part that became one of the most recognised cameos of his career.

Apart from cinema, Hingoo also appeared in television serials broadcast on Doordarshan, the Indian public service broadcaster.

Selected filmography

  • Taqdeer (1967)
  • Qurbani
  • Saajan
  • Baazigar
  • Khoobsurat
  • Judaai
  • Daraar
  • Humraaz
  • Hera Pheri (2000)
  • Phir Hera Pheri
  • No Entry
  • Anubhav
  • Be Careful (2011)

Significance

Hingoo's career illustrates the role of character actors and bit-part performers in sustaining the comic register of mainstream Hindi cinema from the late 1960s through the 2000s. His mentorship of Johny Lever, who later became one of Hindi cinema's most prominent comedians, also marks a notable contribution to the broader comedy circuit that connected stage orchestras with film comedy.

References