Mehmood bhai used to call me ‘Danger Diabolic’: Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who shared a close bond with late actor Mehmood Ali, says the comedian used to call him Danger Diabolic.

Bachchan, 69, said the legendary actor, whose eighth death anniversary was observed yesterday, had given him his first lead role in Bombay to Goa.

“It is also the death anniversary today of Mehmood Bhai, whom we addressed as Bhaijaan, the greatest comedic actor of the Industry, of all time…

“Mehmood Bhai was among the early contributors to my career graph, he having faith from day one in me, much against the wishes and comments of naysayers. For some peculiar reason he would address me as Danger Diabolic, and was the first producer to give me a lead role Bombay to Goa, a remake of a Tamil hit Madras to Pondicherry,” Bachchan posted on his blog.

Bachchan said Mehmood, who started off as a group dancer in films, had a “lovely camaraderie” with musician RD Burman and the duo produced some of the brilliant music.

“Mehmood Bhai was also the one that gave RD Burman his first music direction. They were close friends and shared a lovely camaraderie. Bhaijaan’s sense of music too was exceptional.

“Some of the tunes that he gave for his own films are still remembered. He sang some of them too. He produced films and directed one a most poignant film on the story of a polio stricken physically challenged child,” he added.

The Padosan star died due to prolonged illness on July 23, 2004 in US.