A feature documentary on veteran Bollywood character actor Mac Mohan is in the works. The film, titled ‘Discovering Sambha’, was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival. Emmy-nominated filmmaker Manjari Makijany will direct the project, with her sister Vinati Makijany producing. Manjari is Mac Mohan’s daughter.
The project is structured as an official India-Australia co-production. Production is set to begin later this year, with a release targeted for 2027.
Who was Mac Mohan?
Born Mohan Makijany on 24 April 1938 in Karachi, British India, Mac Mohan died on 10 May 2010 in Mumbai at the age of 72.
He came to Mumbai with the aim of playing cricket for India. Instead, he joined theatre and became a Bollywood actor. He trained at the Filmalaya School of Acting in Mumbai and started his film career as an assistant to director Chetan Anand, before making his acting debut in ‘Haqeeqat’ in 1964.
Also Read: Aarya Babbar claims Prateik Smita Patil only acknowledges Raj Babbar ‘when he wants the benefits’
Mac Mohan built career spanning more than 50 years and over 280 films. His credits include ‘Don’, ‘Shaan’, ‘Karz’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Satte Pe Satta’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Khoon Pasina’, ‘Rafoo Chakkar’, ‘Khuddar’.
The role that defined him
The most iconic role Mac Mohan played was Sambha, a dacoit, in ‘Sholay’ (1975). He had just three words to deliver but made them his own.
After the film’s release, the makers and actors marvelled at Sambha’s popularity. Director Ramesh Sippy remarked that nobody else could have pulled off the line or the look. Writer Javed Akhtar, of the Salim-Javed duo, noted that the way Mac Mohan sat on the hillock overlooking Gabbar’s den was a sight to behold.
The three words, “Poore pachaas hazaar”, became one of the most quoted lines in Hindi film history.
Mac Mohan was also among the rare actors whose real name was used as his character’s name in most of his films. He was known in the industry not just for his dialogue delivery, but also his professionalism.
What the documentary will cover
‘Discovering Sambha’ will draw on archival material, family recollections, reflections from colleagues. It will explore themes of identity, legacy, and the relationship between cinema and personal memory.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder and director of the Film Heritage Foundation, which recently restored ‘Sholay’, has joined the project as an advisor.
Dungarpur described Mac Mohan as an actor who left a lasting impression regardless of the size of his role. He said Mac Mohan had a fan following of his own, as much as the leading actors of his era, and that audiences continue to remember him with great fondness.
The team behind the film
Manjari Makijany leads Asia Pacific Pictures alongside producer Emmanuel Pappas. The banner focuses on film, documentary, and television projects across Australia, India, and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Manjari’s previous directorial credits include ‘Spin’ and ‘Skater Girl’, both for major streaming platforms. Vinati Makijany, who is producing the documentary, has previously worked on ‘The Theory of Spice’.
Mac Mohan is also remembered as the maternal uncle of actress Raveena Tandon.
‘Discovering Sambha’ will be one of few feature documentaries dedicated to an Indian character actor.