Birbal Khosla (1938-2023) was a veteran Indian actor. He is best known for playing a supporting role as a prisoner in the Diamond Jubilee Bollywood film ‘Sholay’ (1975). In 2023, he died of a heart attack at the age of 84.
Wiki/Biography
Birbal Khosla was born Satinder Kumar Khosla on Friday, 28 October 1938 (age 84 years; at death) in Gurdaspur, Punjab, British India. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He attended Hira Lal Jain Senior High School in New Delhi. He studied at Delhi University. While he was studying in college in Jalandhar, he once watched a Kishore Kumar film after which he aspired to become an actor.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father had a printing press in Punjab. He has two younger brothers and two younger sisters.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Neena Bhatia. The couple has a son named Santosh and a daughter named Shalini.
Career
She made her film debut when director Ram Dayal gave her an opportunity to be in a song shot in the 1964 film ‘Raja’. In 1966, he made his debut in a supporting role as Mohan’s batchmate in the Hindi film ‘Do Badan’ starring Manoj Kumar and Asha Parekh.
Poster of the 1966 Hindi film ‘Do Badan’
He came into limelight after playing the role of Baanchcharam in V. Shantaram’s 1967 film ‘Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti.’ Birbal often credits Raj Khosla and Manoj Kumar for his success, as he has featured in many of their films, including Upkar (1967), Mera Saaya (1966), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Kranti (1981). In 1970, he appeared as a circus surgeon in Raj Kapoor’s romantic drama film ‘Mera Naam Joker.’ He rose to fame after playing the role of a prisoner with a half-shaved mustache in the popular 1975 Hindi film ‘Sholay’ starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the lead roles.
Birbal Khosla in a still from the 1975 Hindi film ‘Sholay’
His last film was the 2022 Hindi comedy drama film ’10 Nahi 40′ in which he played the lead role under his own name.
Death
On 12 September 2023, he died of a heart attack at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai.
Facts/Trivia
- Birbal has acted in over 500 films in various languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and Bhojpuri.
- During the early days of her acting career, she used to do odd jobs and work on daily wages.
- While he was shooting for the Hindi film ‘Anita’ (1967), actor Manoj Kumar and director Raj Khosla decided that his original name was not suitable for the film industry, so they gave him the screen name ‘Birbal.’
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
