Acting

Manmauji

Manmauji (real name Ram Mohan Mishra) was born in Dubeypur, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, and is one of Indian cinema’s most beloved comedy actors. A diploma holder in textile engineering from the Government Textile Institute, Kanpur, he moved to Mumbai in 1972 to work in the textile industry. Fate had other plans — his quick wit and mimicry caught the eye of legendary comedian Mehmood, leading to his film debut in Naukar (1979). In 1977, during the making of Darinda, he shaved his head for a role. That bald look became his trademark, eventually earning him a spot in the Limca Book of Records for portraying the highest number of bald characters on screen. Over nearly five decades, he acted in more than 1,000 films, from Hindi blockbusters like The Burning Train, Khiladi, and Baazigar to the international feature The Deceivers alongside Pierce Brosnan and Shashi Kapoor. In 2012, he surprised audiences with a serious performance inspired by Anna Hazare in Main Nahin Anna, winning praise for his range. A favorite of filmmaker David Dhawan and respected for his humility, Manmauji remains a symbol of comic brilliance and timeless entertainment in Indian cinema.