15+ Best Bollywood comedians for non-stop dose of laughter!
From Satish Kaushik to Anupam Kher to Kader Khan to Asrani, here’s a list of over 15 ace comedians of Bollywood
May 08, 2024
Satish Kaushik, Anupam Kher, Kader Khan and Asrani
The famous British actor and filmmaker once said, ‘Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious’. We just could agree more. And what better place than Bollywood to be a heaven to all the best comedians that the entertainment horizon has ever seen and witnessed. Speaking of Bollywood, it has produced some of the evergreen comedians of all times. Let us see the comedians of Bollywood who walked every extra mile possible to ensure that we smile!
Kader Khan
The veteran actor Kader Khan’s association with comedy is so intense that the term ‘comedy’ seems to have originated from him and for him! What made him someone special is that, besides being an ace comic actor, he was an equal pro in writing dialogues as well! The legacy of his works always resonates in Bollywood and will always continue to do so.
After having finished off with his engineering, Kader Khan went on to become a teacher teaching the Ps and Qs of engineering. But, once he kept his steps in Bollywood with the superstar Rajesh Khanna starrer Daag, there was absol Anu Kapoor: A Multifaceted Talent.
Asrani
Looking back in time, nor many know that the veteran comedian Govardhan Asrani had made his Bollywood debut with the film Kaanch Ki Chudiyaan in the year 1967. He was seen in the role of the leading man’s friend. After that, there was absolutely no looking back for the man, who till date, is best known for his performance in the evergreen blockbuster Sholay and other films like Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat and others.
Did you know that, the evergreen actor, in his career spanning many years, also had sung a duet with the multi-talented singer Kishore Kumar in the film Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan.
Satish Kaushik
The very moment someone even utters the name of ‘Satish Kaushik’, a stream of memories simply rush into the minds which reminds us of the ever smiling role of Calendar in the cult film Mr. India, which starred Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in the leading roles.
Besides Mr. India. Satish Kaushik displayed the finesse of his comic timing in many films including Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rahte Hain, Saajan Chale Sasural and many others. The very multi-talented Satish Kaushik also tried his hand in direction with films like the Anil Kapoor and Sridevi starrer Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja and Sanjay Kapoor- tabu starrer Prem.
Paresh Rawal
‘Unbelievable’ is the first word one would associate looking at the diverse body of work of this phenomenal Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal. After having started off with humble beginnings, Pareah Rawal went onto become one of the pillars of Bollywood with his superlative performance with each role.
Even though there have been films in which he had played the villain, he is also known for his impeccable comic timing. Testimony to his comic stand in the form of Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Hungama, Garam Masala, Chup Chup ke, Phir Hera Pheri… and many others films!
Anupam Kher
In real life, he is a walking talking encyclopaedia of what inspiration is all about. After having made his debut in Bollywood with the unbelievable role of a 70-year-old in the by-now-cult film Saaransh, Anupam Kher went onto become a name to reckon with in the years to come.
There is absolutely nothing that this man cannot do or achieve. A sample list of his flawless comedy films include Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi, Chaalbaaz, Saajan Chale Sasural and others. The never-say-never actor of Bollywood is now all set to reinvent himself in the role of a leading hero in the to-be-released Vijay 69!
Anu Kapur
For those who do not know about the musical nineties era, let us tell you that, it was none other than Anu Kapoor who made singing a child’s play along with the ever charming Renuka Shahane in the extremely popular Antakshari. which also became the longest running TV show! As for Anu Kapoor, besides being an actor and singer, he also happens to be an extremely adored radio shot!
One can get a glimpse of his sheer genius in films like Chaalbaaz, Mr. India, Vicky Donor… the list is endless. As times passed by, Anu Kapoor today, is known as someone who can do effortless comedy!
Johnny Lever
Whenever there is a mention of ‘comedy’, can the name of the legendary Johnny Lever be far behind! The very term comedy sounds incomplete without the mention of his name. Born as John Prakash Rao Janumala, he eventually went on to rechristen himself as Johnny Lever.
Hailing originally from Andhra Pradesh, with his sheer determination and dedication, he went onto carve a niche for himself in entertainment. It just will not be wrong at all to be calling him as one of the first ever stand-up comedians of our country! Even after decades have passed, till date, the videos of his stand up will always tickle your funny bone!
Prominent films in which he showed his stellar performance include Khiladi, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Koi Mil Gaya, and many, many more!
Sanjay Mishra
Born to a family of extremely down to earth people, actor Sanjay Mishra studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya BHU, post which he went onto join NSD (National School of Drama). Post his debut in Bollywood with Ketan Mehta’s Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India!, Sanjay Mishra went onto do films, which eventually consolidated his career as an actor in Bollywood.
As years passed by, Sanjay Mishra became more and more synonymous with the art of comics. His mere presence on the silver screen will ensure a smile on the faces of the audiences.
Films in which he exhibited his unmatchable acting talent include Welcome, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Dhamaal, Golmaal series, All The Best and many other films.
Varun Sharma
He is definitely one of the youngest actors in the list of comedians of Bollywood. After having been born in Jalandhar (Punjab), the super talented Varun Sharma made his dream debut in Bollywood with the multi starrer Fukrey.
Despite the presence of so many actors, Varun Sharma shined and made his presence felt. What followed after his debut films were an array of projects which consolidated his place under the Bollywood sun as an actor who can do comedy with utmost ease!
Some of the prominent films that he has been a part of include Dilwale, Chhichhore, Roohi, Kis KisKo Pyaar Karoon, Fukrey series, and many other films.
Mehmood
Born in 1932, Mehmood was one of the most versatile comedians in Indian cinema. He was not only an actor, but also an amazing singer, director, and producer. Mehmood is still widely known as India's national comedian. He became popular for films like Dil Tera Diwana (1963), Pyar Kiye Ja (1966), Gumnaam (1966), Padosan (1968), Waaris (1969), and Bombay To Goa (1972). When award ceremonies began in 1954, Mehmood had received 25 nominations for Best Comedian category.
Johnny Walker
Born in 1926, Johnny Walker had acted in around 300 blockbuster films in his 4 decades of career. He was best known for being typecast as a hapless drunkard. He won 2 Filmfare Awards for Madhumati (1958) and Shikar (1968) for Best Supporting Roles. He is the second actor in Indian cinema, after Madhubala, who had 2 biographical films of his own. One in Hindi - Johnny Walker (1957), and another in Malayalam - Johnny Walker (1992).
Boman Irani
Born in 1959, Boman Irani’s versatility got him work not only in Bollywood, but from various other industries like Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. He has featured in over 100 films till now, and has won prestigious Filmfare Award and an IIFA Award. In his 24 years of career, he has given popular films like Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Veer-Zaara, Main Hoon Na (both 2004), No Entry, Waqt: The Race Against Time (both 2005), Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Don (both 2006), Heyy Babyy (2007), Kismat Konnection, Dostana (both 2008), 3 Idiots (2009), Housefull (2010), Don 2 (2011), Housefull 2 (2012).
Razzak Khan
Born in 1951, Razzak Khan predominantly worked in Bollywood. Khan was mostly known for comic roles and supporting roles. He was best known for his iconic role of Manikchand in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Baadshah (1999), as Ninja Chacha in the Salman Khan-starrer Hello Brother (1999), and as Takkar Pehelwan in Akhiyon Se Goli Maare. His noted last film, Welcome M1LL10NS was released in 2018.
Shakti Kapoor
Who doesn't know Shakti Kapoor! He is still iconic not only for his comical roles, but also for his villainous roles. Kapoor is probably 1 in a million, who can do both with sheer passion. He has featured in over 600 films within the 1980s to 1990s. Kapoor even teamed up with Asrani and Kader Khan as the comical or evil team in over 100 films. Even his daughter Shraddha Kapoor has become one of the top actresses in Bollywood now with a staggering 89.1 million followers on Instagram.
Rajpal Yadav
Despite doing only comical roles and supporting roles all his life, it's amazing to watch him in the lead role in Main Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005), opposite Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta and Kay Kay Menon. His short height and looks never became a barrier for once to achieve such immense popularity. You can never deny his superb talent. His breakthrough came in Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle (2000), in which he played a negative role. He has received numerous prestigious accolades including Filmfare and Screen Awards.
Sunil Grover
Although he rose to fame with Indian soap operas, Sunil Grover has given some of the most loved comic roles in both Bollywood and Punjabi industries. He came into limelight for his portrayal as Gutthi on the TV show Comedy Nights With Kapil, but gained popularity for playing the role of Dr. Mashoor Gulati. He is also famous as a voice actor as well. From Shah Rukh Khan's Main Hoon Na (2004), Aamir Khan’s Ghajini (2008), Tiger Shroff’s Heropanti (2014), Akshay Kumar's Gabbar Is Back (2015), Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi (2016) to Salman Khan's Bharat (2019), Sunil Grover has carved a niche with these films.
Javed Jaffrey
Javed Jaffrey is not only famous as an actor, but also an amazing dancer, and comedian too. He is the son of the iconic comedian Jagdeep from the 1970s and 1990s, who had worked in Sholay (1975), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), etc. Before joining politics with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Javed Jaffrey’s iconic role in Jajantaram Mamamntara (2003) touched millions of hearts.
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