On Dilip Joshi’s birthday, his seven defining roles he did before becoming Jethalal

On his 56th birthday, however, we revisit some of his earlier roles in films after he made his acting debut in 1989 with Salman Khan’s Maine Pyar Kiya.

Ramu in Maine Pyar Kiya

Dilip started his acting journey in 1989 with Salman Khan and Bhagyashree’s Maine Pyar Kiya where he played the role of Ramu, one of the house helps at the residence of Choudharys. Dilip’s role was small in length, but it remains to be one of the most loved characters in the film.

Hunshilal, the scientist in Hun Hunshi Hunshilal

Dilip then appeared in an independent Gujarati film 1992 Hun Hunshi Hunshilal (Love in the Time of Malaria) along with Renuka Shanane. The film was an experimental musical political satire film directed by Sanjiv Shah and was Renuka’s first feature film. Dilip plays the role of a lab scientist who works on eradicating mosquitoes.

The actor has recently revealed how he has to lose about 16 kgs in one-and-a-half months for this film.

Bhola Prasad in Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!

Dilip remembers working with Salman Khan very fondly. After sharing screen in Maine Pyar Kiya, Dilip and Salman played friends in Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! Talking about why he chose to do this Sooraj Barjatya’s directorial, Dilip had recently opened up that during the time his first daughter Niyati was born and he was in need of money as working in theatre wasn’t helping him earn well enough. Dilip had also shared how he and Salman shared a hotel room during the shoot of the film.

Sapney in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Dilip Joshi has shared screen space with most Bollywood superstars. After featuring in films with Salman Khan, Dilip was seen doing yet another comic role, however small, in Shah Rukh Khan and Juhu Chawla’s Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani where he played Johnny Lever’s assistant. The film also starred Paresh Rawal.

Deven in Firaaq

Dipti Naval, Paresh Rawal and Dilip Joshi in Firaaq. (Photo: Express Archive)

Dilip stunned one and all by his appearance in Firaaq which was based on the 2002 violence in Gujarat. The film released in 2008. Dilip, who has mostly dabbled in comic roles, displayed his gritty side alongside Deepti Naval and Paresh Rawal in Nandita Das’ directorial.

Gauri Shankar in Humraaz

Dilip’s role in Humraaz (2002) is one of the first videos to pop when you search for his comedy scenes on YouTube. The actor played Gauri Shankar, a devotee of Lord Shiva. While he has several funny scenes in the film, this scene with Akshaye Khanna still cracks up people.

Mama Nautanki Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge

Before switching to television full time, Dilip did a few films including Dhhondte Reh Jaaoge. he played Mama Nautanki who has the knack for saying wrong things at the wrong time. Here, Dilip’s scene with Sonu Sood, where he tells him that he is a bad actor, has tickled the audience’s funny bones. After this he was also seen doing small roles in films like What’s Your Rashee?