Good Bye Gufi Paintal at 79 || || Gufi Paintal
Good Bye Gufi Paintal at 79: Gufi Paintal (Shakuni Mama) Passed away on Monday morning (June 5) in Mumbai. He was best known for playing Shakuni in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat. His nephew Hiten Paintal, the son of his younger brother Kanwarjit Paintal, confirmed the information. Due to kidney and cardiac problems, the veteran performer has spent the last few days in the hospital. He shared a role in the movie Mahabharat with the well-known comedian Kanwarjit Paintal, who was his older brother.
Gufi Paintal / Sarabjeet Singh Paintal, an Indian actor and casting director, was born on October 4, 1944. He received his first training as an engineer before following his younger brother into acting (who had attended the Film and Television Institute of India). After moving to Bombay in 1969, Gufi started modeling, worked as a film assistant director, and appeared in several films and television shows. He also gave his brother directions. His most well-known performance was Shakuni Mama in B.R. Chopra and his son Ravi Chopra’s adaption of Mahabharat, which Paintal regarded as his finest performance.
He began his profession as an engineer before becoming an actor and director. But after witnessing his younger brother, he became interested in acting and relocated to Mumbai in 1969. He began his career as a model before serving as an assistant director for various motion pictures. He became well-known until he played Shakuni Mama in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat in 1988. He was also a casting director for the mythological production.
Kanwarjit Paintal, the deceased actor’s younger brother, is also an actor and comedian. Few people are aware that he also appeared in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, where he performed the parts of Shikhandi and Sudama. His family hails from Pakistan’s Lahore. He attended the DPS International School in Delhi for his education. Paintal and his brother Kanwarjit used to perform miniature shadow plays as children because their father was a cameraman. He has always found the entertainment industry fascinating. His father preferred that he pursue an engineering career, nevertheless.
So, after completing his education, Gufi chose to study engineering. He began working for Tata Engineering & Locomotive in Jamshedpur, Bihar, after receiving his degree. Gufi spent a few years serving in the army in Bihar during the defensive emergency brought on by the China War. Later, he was sent to the Mumbai branch of Tata Engineering & Locomotive.
At that point, Kanwarjit, his brother, had already experienced success. Gufi made the decision to enter the entertainment business after his brothers. As an assistant director initially, he was employed. A Sikh family was home to Gufi Paintal. In Lahore, his father, Gurucharan Paintal, was a seasoned cameraman. His mother’s identity is not well known. Kanwarjit Paintal, his younger brother, is an actor and comedian. He was married to Rekha, who died of a heart attack in 1993. They had a son named Harry Paintal, an actor, together.
Gufi Paintal Career
When Gufi Paintal was 24 years old, he began working as an assistant director. He gradually started to receive character roles. In the romantic comedy “Dillagi,” where he played the part of “Ganesh,” he made his acting debut in 1978. He then had an appearance in the Bollywood movie “Des Pardes.” He afterward joined B. R. Films as technical chief. He formerly oversaw the advertisements section. At that time, he was cast in the Indian epic TV series “Mahabharat” as Shakuni. Gufi became incredibly well-known for his portrayal of “Shakuni.” Later, he played “Justice Raghunath” in the crime drama “Kanoon.”
Many Bollywood films, including “Suhaag,” “Maidan-E-Jung,” “The Revenge: Geeta Mera Naam,” “Kaalo,” “Mahabharat Aur Barbareek,” and “Samrat & Co.” featured him. As well as appearing in these TV programs, Paintal has appeared in “Akbar Birbal,” “Ssshhhh..Koi Hai,” and “Karn Sangini.” His most recent movie, Samrat & Co. (2014), featured him as Dinesh Das, also known as DD Family Lawyer.
In his final television program, Jay Kaniya lal Ki (2021–2022) on Star Bharat, he portrayed Vishwakarma. He had been receiving treatment for a few days until he passed away on June 5, 2023, at Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri, Mumbai, from age-related health problems.
The actor was a devoted and encouraging spouse to Rekha Paintal. The couple dated for more than 20 years before Gufi Paintal’s wife Rekha passed away in 1993. Gufi was devastated and heartbroken when she passed away from a heart attack, yet he never got remarried. Rekha Paintal was thought to be a devoted wife who consistently served as a cornerstone in Gufi’s acting profession and beyond, despite the fact that there is much less information available about her.
Rekha Paintal supported her husband through a number of film auditions and interviews while showing Gufi some patience. Apart from that, nothing has been made public regarding the personal and professional endeavors of Gufi Paintal’s wife because she opted to avoid media attention.
Harry Paintal, Gufi Paintal’s only son, is his only heir. Harry entered the entertainment industry and tried his hand at acting, carrying on the heritage and steps of his actor father. He has a little more than three acting credits to his resume. He played Haresh in the 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which served as his acting debut. A decade later, Harry played a Sanskrit lecturer in the 2009 film Chal Chalein.
In the following year, 2010, Gufi Paintal’s son played Sevanand in the film Oru Avadhikaalam. Harry, however, took a ten-year break from performing and now prefers to avoid the media spotlight, which is why virtually little is known about him.
RIP #GUFI PAINTAL
I am sorry for hearing of the passing of such a talented actor. Numerous fans’ hearts and minds will forever be changed as a result of their efforts in the entertainment industry. Here is a word of condolence for the venerable actor:
“In the world of film, a bright star has vanished. We lament the passing of a renowned actor yesterday whose brilliance, charisma, and commitment captivated our attention and motivated generations. His outstanding performances enlivened the silver screen and left us with vivid images of the characters he created. He made millions of people around the world happy, laugh out loud, and cry throughout their career.
He was a shining example of artistic genius, leaving a lasting impression that would reverberate throughout the history of film.
This renowned actor made a significant impact on many people off-screen in addition to his on-screen accomplishments. His generosity, activism, and humanitarian endeavors served as a testament to their compassion and dedication to improving the world.
As we say goodbye to this outstanding artist, let us honour his life and his works of art. May his soul rest in peace, and may his memories go on to inspire other performers and artists in the years to come. Dear legend, rest in peace. We will miss you terribly, but your light will live on in our hearts forever.
