Paintal, born Kanwarjit Paintal in a Sikh family is an Indian actor who kicked off his film career portraying comical characters in Hindi films. He later moved on to teaching the art of acting. Throughout his extensive career spanning over four decades, he has worked in a myriad range of films and also on television projects.
Early Life of Paintal
Born in a Sikh family near Amritsar, Punjab, Paintal was brought up in Sadar Bazaar, Delhi. He later trained in acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and moved to Bombay in 1969.
Career of Paintal
In his film career, Paintal has portrayed numerous comical characters, most notable and memorable of which include the character of Guruji in the film "Bawarchi" of 1972, Rattan in "Jawani Diwani", Arun in "Piya Ka Ghar", Panditji (astrologer) in "Parichay", Totaram in "Jangal Mein Mangal", all released in 1972, Kamal in "Heera Panna" and Ramu in "Khote Sikkay" of 1973, Headmaster in "Roti" of 1974, Salma in "Rafoo Chakkar" of 1975 and Budh Anand in "Satte Pe Satta" of 1982. But the role that stood out was that of Champak Bhumia in the 1973 comedy film "Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar", the character and Paintal"s portrayal making the film very successful.
After playing comic roles, Paintal diverted to playing serious characters on Indian television. The most recent of those is the role of Guptaji TV series drama "Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara" in 2012, which aired on Star Plus. He also moved on to teaching acting and became the Head of the Acting Department in FTII.
Awards received by Paintal
Paintal has been honoured with the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role twice, in 1973 for his performance in "Bawarchi" and in 1978 for "Chale Murari Hero Banne".
Personal Life of Paintal
Paintal"s brother Gufi Paintal is also a film and television actor, having appeared in the TV series of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, as the character Shakuni. His son, Hiten Paintal is also an actor having appeared in Bollywood films such as "Dil Maange More" (2004) and "Bachna Ae Haseeno" (2008), and also in television shows like "C.I.D." and "Kasautii Zindagii Kay".
Filmography of Paintal
The films in which Paintal has worked in his career spanning over four decades, along with their respective years of release, are highlighted hereunder.
| Kaalo (2010) | Saajan Ki Saheli (1981) |
| Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (2009) | Waqt Ki Deewar (1981) |
| Paying Guest (2009) | Dostana (1980) |
| Fun 2shh: Dudes in the 10th Century (2003) | Oh Bewafa (1980) |
| Kasam (2001) | Sitara (1980) |
| Zulm-O-Sitam (1998) | The Burning Train (1980) |
| Hatyara (1998) | Khoon Kharaba (1980) |
| Mere Sapno Ki Rani (1997) | Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) |
| Megha (1996) | Gopal Krishna (1979) |
| Aisi Bhi Kya Jaldi Hai (1996) | Jaan-E-Bahaar (1979) |
| Rock Dancer (1995) | Jaani Dushman (1979) |
| Aazmayish (1995) | Magroor (1979) |
| Ikke Pe Ikka (1994) | Adventures of Aladdin (1978) |
| Amaanat (1994) | Aahuti (1978) |
| Prem Yog (1994) | Aakhri Daku (1978) |
| Anokha Premyudh (1994) | Ankh Ka Tara (1978) |
| Pehchaan (1993) | College Girl (1978) |
| Mehboob Mere Mehboob (1992) | Des Pardes (1978) |
| Prem Deewane (1992) | Muqaddar (1978) |
| Saugandh (1991) | Naya Daur (1978) |
| First Love Letter (1991) | Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978) |
| Qurbani Rang Layegi (1991) | Swarg Narak (1978) |
| Thanedaar (1990) | Tumhari Kasam (1978) |
| Pyaar Ke Naam Qurban (1990) | Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) |
| Aag Ka Gola (1990) | Alibaba Marjinaa (1977) |
| Pyasi Nigahen (1990) | Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977) |
| Shehzaade (1989) | Chandi Sona (1977) |
| Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989) | Jagriti (1977) |
| Jaaydaad (1989) | Jay Vejay (1977) |
| Mitti Aur Sona (1989) | Saal Solvan Chadya (1977) |
| Akhri Muqabla (1988) | Saheb Bahadur (1977) |
| Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) | Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977) |
| Paap Ki Duniya (1988) | Udhar Ka Sindur (1976) |
| Maashuka (1987) | Jaaneman (1976) |
| Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) | Bairaag (1976) |
| Anubhav (1986) | Balika Badhu (1976) |
| Teesra Kinara (1986) | Deewangee (1976) |
| Zindagani (1986) | Laila Majnu (1976) |
| Dilwala (1986) | Maa (1976) |
| Adhikar (1986) | Anokha (1975) |
| Kirayadar (1986) | Apne Rang Hazaar (1975) |
| Mohabbat Ki Kasam (1986) | Jaggu (1975) |
| Babu (1985) | Mazaaq (1975) |
| Sur Sangam (1985) | Rafoo Chakkar (1975) |
| Bepanaah (1985) | Roti (1974) |
| Wafadaar (1985) | Call Girl (1974) |
| Mehak (1985) | Dil Diwana (1974) |
| Aandhi-Toofan (1985) | Dulhan (1974) |
| Kali Basti (1985) | Faslah (1974) |
| Paisa Yeh Paisa (1985) | Khote Sikkay (1973) |
| Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985) | Kora Badan (1974) |
| Hum Do Hamare Do (1984) | Manoranjan (1974) |
| Jaag Utha Insaan (1984) | Us-Paar (1974) |
| Kanoon Meri Mutthi Mein (1984) | Zehreela Insaan (1974) |
| Maan Maryada (1984) | Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973) |
| Shapath (1984) | Heera Panna (1973) |
| Waqt Ki Pukar (1984) | Jangal Mein Mangal (1972) |
| Kalaakaar (1983) | Parichay (1972) |
| Daulat Ke Dushman (1983) | Piya Ka Ghar (1972) |
| Sadma (1983) | Bawarchi (1972) |
| Shubh Kaamna (1983) | Gomti Ke Kinare (1972) |
| Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon (1982) | Jawani Diwani (1972) |
| Teri Kasam (1982) | Shaadi Ke Baad (1972) |
| Satte Pe Satta (1982) | Tangewala (1972) |
| Bhagawat (1982) | Pyar Ki Kahani (1971) |
| Kachche Heere (1982) | Mere Apne (1971) |
| Daasi (1981) | Umang (1970) |
| Kranti (1981) | Rakhi Rakhi (1969) |
| Ghamandee (1981) |