Bollywood has seen several actors who have performed the character of an Indian army officer. At the same time, there are some of the top-rated actors in the film industry, who come from an army background. But did you know that there Bollywood has also had stars who were in the armed forces before they joined the film industry? Read on to know more…
ANAND BAKSHI
One of the most popular lyricists of the Hindi film industry, Anand Bakshi was with the defense services. He was first with the Indian Navy but after the Partition, he joined the Indian Army. Bakshi is fondly remembered for penning superhit songs for films such as ‘Coolie’, ‘Shahenshah’ and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, among many others.
BIKRAMJEET KANWARPAL
From ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ to ‘2 States’ and ‘24’, Bikramjeet was seen in numerous films, television shows, and web series. Before joining the film industry, Bikramjeet was commissioned into the Indian Army in the year 1989. He retired from the rank of a Major in the year 2002. And, a year later, in 2003, he marked his Bollywood debut.
ACHYUT POTDAR
The actor who is fondly remembered for the role as a teacher who taught machines in ‘3 Idiots’, Achyut has done several films such as ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’, ‘Dabangg 2’, and ‘Parineeta’. After retiring from the Indian army in 1967 as a captain, he went on to act in Hindi cinema, television serials, plays, and even ads.
GUFI PAINTAL
Remember ‘Shakuni Mama’ from the 90s television serial ‘Mahabharat’? Actor Sarabjeet Gufi Paintal was recruited into the Indian Army after his college, sometime around the year 1962. He was commissioned in the Army Artillery on the Indo-China Border.
RUDRASHISH MAJUMDER
He served in the Indian Army for seven years and retired as a Major, before becoming an actor. An alumnus of the National Defense Academy and Indian Military Academy, he is popular for his characters in ‘Chhichhore’ and ‘Jersey’.
