1) N S Krishnan A pioneer of Tamil cinema’s golden era, N S Krishnan blended satire with slapstick, delivering social messages through humour. Active from the 1930s to the 1950s, his comedy was intelligent and thought-provoking. He was even dubbed as “India’s answer to Charlie Chaplin”!
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2) Mehmood From the 1950s to the 1990s, Mehmood dominated Hindi comedy with unmatched versatility. Whether through physical comedy or clever dialogue delivery, he redefined comedic roles in Bollywood. A multiple Filmfare Award winner, he turned even supporting roles into show-stealing performances.
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3) Johnny Walker A bus conductor-turned-actor, Johnny Walker was discovered by Guru Dutt and became Bollywood’s go-to comedian in the 1950s-70s. His iconic drunken-man act in Pyaasa and CID proved that comedy could be clean, refined, and irresistibly charming.
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4) Jagdeep With a career spanning over six decades (1951–2020), Jagdeep brought life to quirky and unforgettable characters. His portrayal of Soorma Bhopali in Sholay became legendary. A master of timing, he entertained generations with his natural wit and distinctive dialogue delivery.
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5) Johnny Lever Active since the 1980s, Johnny Lever revolutionised Bollywood comedy with his voice modulations, mimicry, and impeccable expressions. A two-time Filmfare Award winner, his roles in Baazigar, Dulhe Raja, and Hera Pheri remain iconic, making him a household name.
6) Jaspal Bhatti Best known for Flop Show and Ulta Pulta, Jaspal Bhatti mastered satire like no other. From the 1980s until his passing in 2012, he used humour to critique societal and political issues, proving that comedy could be both hilarious and meaningful.
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7) Kalpana Kalpana redefined female comedic roles in Malayalam cinema. From the 1980s to the 2010s, she showcased impeccable comic timing in films like Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu. A National Award-winning actress, she proved that women could lead comedy just as powerfully as men.
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8) Manorama With over 1,500 films to her credit, Manorama was an icon of Tamil cinema. Spanning six decades (1950s–2010s), her hilarious expressions and dynamic screen presence made her a legend. She even entered the Guinness World Records for acting in the most films!
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9) Rajpal Yadav A powerhouse of comedy since the late 1990s, Rajpal Yadav mastered the art of character-driven humour. His impeccable timing, expressive acting, and ability to steal scenes with even the smallest roles made him a standout in films like Hungama, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Chup Chup Ke.
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10) Kader Khan A genius of dialogue writing and comedy, Kader Khan blended humour with intelligence in a way few could. His collaborations with Govinda in the 90s (Coolie No. 1, Dulhe Raja, Haseena Maan Jaayegi) showcased his impeccable comedic timing, making him one of Bollywood’s most beloved funnymen.