So, if you have watched your fair number of 90s Hindi films, you immediately went “Yes!  That guy!” as soon as you saw the picture up there.  He’s one of those people that wanders in and out of films, playing the guy who is like-the-hero-but-not-as-good.  Friend, rival, enemy, brother, what have you.  In, like, Everything!!!

He played Sanjay’s best friend and side-kick in Sadak:

(It is a special challenge as a side-kick to make Sanjay look like a good dancer)

A year later, he was in Khiladi, supporting Akshay:

(Shirtless Akshay presents different challenges.  Like, being visible on the screen when he is blinding us with his hotness)

The same year, he was Aamir’s rival in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

(ooo, they are so evil!)

In 1994, he twice bested Shahrukh in a romantic challenge, in both Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Anjaam:

(I love this movie, and I really love this song.  I don’t care that it makes no sense on any level.  Also, did you know this actress married Shekhar Kapur, director of Mr. India and the Cate Blanchette Elizabeth movies?)

And, of course, in 1996 he played Puru Raajkumar’s adopted brother in Bal Brahmachari, my favorite so-bad-it’s-good movie.  Suffice to say, Raajkumar’s son did not inherit his talent.

(trust me, this song will be in your head for DAYS)

Anyway, he dropped completely off the radar after the 90s, I can’t remember seeing him in anything after he aged out of the “hero’s best friend” role (although imdb says he was busy, so I guess I just never noticed him).  And apparently, he is now a director!  And I kind of good one!  A friend just sent me this trailer:

Now, I will never see this movie, because I hate Randeep Hooda’s stupid face, but how cool is that trailer!  The handshake sequence alone totally sells me on the skill of the filmmaker.  And then I look up who made it, and it is good old Deepak Tijori!  It gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies to know he made good.  Not as good as Sanjay, Aamir, Shahrukh, and Akshay, but after all, he’s destiny is to be just the supporting player, not the star.

 

(also, wikipedia says his daughter was kidnapped “for a few hours” in 2009, but has no more information.  I have so many questions!!!)