Kulbhushan Kharbanda (born 21 October 1944) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi and Punjabi films. He is best known for his role as the antagonist Shakaal in Shaan (1980), Starting off with the Delhi-based theatre group borkh in 1974. He worked in several parallel cinema films before working in the mainstream Hindi film industry. He appeared in Mahesh Bhatt's classic Arth (1982), Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986), Waaris (1988), and in all three parts of Deepa Mehta's Elements trilogy: Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005). After nearly two decades he was seen on the theatre stage at the Padatik Theatre in Kolkata in the production of Atmakatha, directed by Vinay Sharma.
Early life and education Kharbanda was born in Hasan Abdal, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan). His family migrated to India following the Partition of India. His shifted to several cities, thus he received his schooling in Jodhpur, Dehradun and Delhi, and also attended Minto Circle School (Aligarh Muslim University) in Aligarh. He later graduated from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where he joined the theatre group Abhiyan, formed by senior students. Career After his studies he and a few of his college friends formed a theatre group called "Abhiyaan", and then joined Delhi-based "Yatrik", a bilingual theatre repertory founded by director Joy Michael in 1964; he became its first paid artiste, though after a few years Yatrik collapsed as the director was lecturing in US universities. That is when he moved to Kolkata in 1972 and started working with the theatre group Padatik which did Hindi theatre, under director Shyamanand Jalan. Here he worked for a while before moving on to Mumbai and films.
He first got noticed in Nishaant (1974) by Shyam Benegal, with whom he went on to work in several more films including Manthan (1976), Bhumika: The Role (1977), Junoon (1978), and Kalyug (1980). Soon he was a regular with parallel cinema directors, like in Godhuli (1977) with B. V. Karanth.
Playing the bald villain Shakaal in Shaan (1980) directed by Ramesh Sippy, he saw his transition into mainstream cinema. Kharbanda went on to appear in Shakti (1982), Ghayal (1990), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Gupt (1997), Border (1997), Yes Boss (1997) and Refugee (2000). However, he continued appearing in art films such as Chakra (1981), with Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah, Arth (1982), with Shabana Azmi, Andhi Gali (1984), the first Hindi film of Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986), with Hema Malini, Utsav (1984), by Girish Karnad, Mandi (1983), Trikal (1985), Susman (1987), by Shyam Benegal, Naseem (1995), by Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Monsoon Wedding (2001) directed by Mira Nair.
He portrayed Reema Lagoo's husband and Raj Babbar's brother in Shashi Kapoor's Filmwalas Productions' Kalyug. He has also appeared in period films such as Jodha Akbar and Lagaan.
He has acted in a number of Punjabi films. He portrayed the hero in the legendary film Chan Pardesi (1980) and starred in the Punjabi comedy Mahaul Theek Hai (1999).
He has acted in six of Deepa Mehta's movies and all her trilogy films: Earth, Fire and Water. He did a German film in 2009.
He has acted in TV serials, such as Shanno Ki Shaadi and Mahi Ve.
He has been seen on the stage in plays such as Teen Farishtay, Hatya ek akaar ki, Baki Itihaas, Ek Shunya Bajirao, Guinea Pig, Girdhade, Sakharam Binder and, recently, Atmakatha.
Filmography Television + Web series Year Show Role 1997 Yeh Hai Mere Apne 1999 Shapath 2002 Tu Kahe Agar Vishal's Tauji 2016Love Shots Mr. Chowdhury 2018-2020Mirzapur Satyanand Tripathi aka Bauji 2020A Suitable BoyKarim Chand Seth aka Lata's Nanaji2021The Tattoo Murders Retired DCP Ajay Yagnik2022Guilty Minds L N Khanna
Hindi films Hindi Films Year Film Role 1974 Jadu Ka Shankh 1975 Nishaant 1976 Manthan 1977 Bhumika: The Role Godhuli 1978 Junoon 1979 Solva Saawan 1980 Shaan Shakaal 1981 Bulundi Viju Mohanti Kalyug Nakhuda Kalyug Chakra Silsila Officer Kulbhushan 1982 Aparoopa Prem Rog Shakti K.D. Narang Arth Inder Malhotra 1983 Mandi 1984 Andhi Gali Duniya Teja Utsav 1985 Ghulami Constable Gopi Dada Lava Kul Verma Zamana G.D. Ram Teri Ganga Maili Mera Muqaddar Vijay Trikal 1986 Janbaaz Mr. Rai New Delhi Times Ek Chadar Maili Si Trilok 1987 Sheela Jaan Hatheli Pe Shankar Chinoy Uttar Dakshin Susman 1988 Waaris Thakur Gajjan Singh Hum To Chale Pardes Kul Main Zinda Hoon Veerana Thakur Mahendra Pratap 1989 Joshilaay Raja Singh / Raja Sahib 1990 Ghayal Police Commissioner Ashok Pradhan Pratibandh Paap Ki Kamaee Supremo 1991 Antarnaad Henna 1992 Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar Bekhudi 1993 Game Damini Ek Hi Raasta Apaatkaal Police Commissioner Mahakaal Anita's Father Shaktiman 1994 Mohra Jailor 1995 Baazi Police Commissioner Majumdar Naseem 1996 Nirbhay Loafer Fire 1997 Border 1998 China Gate 1999 Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya Colonel Teri Mohabbat Ka Naam Subhash 2000 Bulandi Hera Pheri Devi Prasad Pukar 2001 Monsoon Wedding Lagaan Raja Puran Singh 2003 Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love Jahangir Basti Pinjar 2004 I - Proud To Be An Indian I's father Garv Agnipankh 2005 Zameer Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero Water 2006 Fight Club Lage Raho Munna Bhai Khurana Umrao Jaan 2007 Manorama Six Feet Under 2008 EMI Ek Jodhaa Akbar Ru Ba Ru 2009 Team Aloo Chaat Kurbaan 2010 Khatta Meetha Ramakant Tichkule 2011 Khushiyaan 2012 Midnight's Children Delhi in a Day 2014 Zed Plus Haider 2015 Brothers 2016 Azhar 2018 Soorma 2019 Manikarnika No Fathers in Kashmir Khandaani Shafakhana Hakim Tarachand 2022 Ardh 2024 Crew Sadanand Gowda aka Nanu 2025 Jewel Thief Jayant Roy2026MirzapurSatyanand "Bauji" Tripathi
Other language films Year Film Role Language 1981 Chann Pardesi Punjabi 1982 Ucha Dar Babe Nank Da Punjabi 1988 Trinetrudu Telugu 2010 Nirdoshi Deshmukh Kannada 2013 Saadi Love Story Mr. Brar Punjabi 2014 Kirpaan Punjabi 2016 Dictator Telugu Aatishbazi Ishq Punjabi
Awards and nominations Year AwardCategoryFilmResult1986Filmfare AwardsBest Supporting ActorGhulami2002IIFA AwardsBest Supporting ActorLagaan
References
External links
Further reading A stage of reflection Interview in The Hindu