Known for his impeccable comic timing and expressive face, which can turn bit parts into unforgettable moments, Dhumal was a comedian and character actor in theater and films in Marathi and Hindi from the mid-1940s till the late 1980s. He is known for his work in films like Parichay (1954), Howrah Bridge (1958), Sasural (1962), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969), Preetam (1971), and many more.
Dhumal, born “Anant Balwant Dhumal” on March 29, 1914, started his career as a spot boy in a Marathi theater company, where he initially served drinks and washed utensils. Occasionally, when minor role actors failed to turn up, Dhumal would fill in for them. While doing minor roles, he steadily climbed up the ladder to do big parts.
During this period, he met prominent figures in the drama world, such as P. K. Atre and Nanasaheb Phatak, who recognized his potential and helped him gain recognition. He played major roles in famous plays such as Lagna Chi Bedi and Ghara Baher. After making his name in Marathi theater, he moved on to Marathi cinema and later to Hindi cinema.
Several sources say that his debut movie was a Marathi film called Pedgaonche Shahane (1952), where he played the role of a South Indian. But even before that, he played an important role in Raja Paranjpe’s 1948 movie “Jeevacha Sakha”, which also stars Sulochana Latkar, Saroj Borkar, Chandrakant Gokhale, and Jog.
He goes on to do many Marathi movies in his career, like Sharda (1951), Oon Paoos (1954), Sudamache Pohe (1958), Sukhache Sobti (1958), Aamhi Jato Amuchya Gava (1968), Karava Tasa Bharava (1975), and many more.
His first known Hindi film was Chacha Chowdhury (1953), followed by Parichay (1954), Jagriti (1954), New Delhi (1956), Apradhi Kaun? (1957), and Howrah Bridge (1958).
In 1958 she acted in Shakti Samanta’s Howrah Bridge. As Madhubala’s Uncle Joe, the bumbling innkeeper, he brought a light touch to this noir classic. Playing a munim in “Bombai Ka Babu (1960),” he added humor to Dev Anand’s intense drama. As Bholaram, Shammi Kapoor’s sidekick in “Kashmir Ki Kali (1964),” his wide-eyed befuddlement was gold. He was one of the seven winners of the luxury trip, Dharmdas, in “Gumnaam (1965),” where his nervous tics paired perfectly with the suspense in the cult classic. The film directed by Raja Nawathe was loosely based on Agatha Christie’s mystery classic “And Then There Were None”.
In Love in Tokyo (1966), as Joy Mukherji’s flustered uncle, he stole scenes with his deadpan delivery.
In the 50s and 60s, Dhumal was a constant feature of many big movies as a comedian doing silly expressions. He did several films with Mehmood Bhai Jan, such as Phagun (1958), Chhoti Bahen (1959), Zindagi (1964), Gumnaam (1965), Arzoo (1965), Love in Tokyo (1966), Ankhen (1968), Pyar Hi Pyar (1969), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969), Preetam (1971), Janta Hawaldaar (1979), and others. Their film Sasura (1961) is especially known for the chemistry between Dhumal, Mehmood, and Shubha Khote; the song “Apni Ulfat Pe” is especially memorable for their antics.
He also worked with almost all the leading actors and actresses of his time, such as Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Madhubala, Sadhana, Asha Parekh, and Waheeda Rehman.
Known for his comic timing and expressions, he was part of successful films like Main Nashe Men Hoon (1959), Ek Phool Char Kaante (1960), Bombai Ka Babu (1960), Shola Aur Shabnam (1960), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Anpadh (1962), Zindagi (1963), Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Mera Saaya (1966), Do Badan (1966), Devar (1966), Anita (1967), Brahmachari (1968), Saraswati Chandra (1968), Teen Bahuraniyan (1968), Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970), Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970), Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970), Naya Zamana (1971), Hungama (1971), Do Chor (1972), Jugnu (1973), Benaam (1974), Geet Gata Chal (1975), Sanyasi (1975), Dream Girl (1977), Taxi Chor (1980), and Duniya (1984), among others.
Dhumal passed away on 13 February 1987 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He was survived by his wife and four children: a son named Pramod and three daughters named Hema Dhananjay Phatak, Usha Ramesh Chavan, and Sushma Anil Patil.
