Lily, don’t be silly: Remembering Bollywood’s iconic villain Ajit

Ajit became famous for playing sophisticated villains. His deep voice, elegant mannerisms and unique style made him stand out.

Hyderabad: Hamid Ali Khan, better known as Ajit, is remembered as one of Bollywood’s most stylish villains. Born on January 27, 1923, in Hyderabad, his father worked as a personal driver for Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan. On his 102nd birth anniversary, we celebrate the legendary actor who acted in over 200 films during a career spanning four decades.

Ajit became famous for playing sophisticated villains. His deep voice, elegant mannerisms and unique style made him stand out. He popularised outfits like “bold” checked suits, overcoats, leather shoes and wide sunglasses in the 1960s and 70s. His famous one liners like “Mona darling and Robert (pronounced Raabert)”, “Lily, don’t be silly,” from Zanjeer,  “Sara shaher mujhe Loin ke naam se janta hai” from Kalicharan remains unforgettable.

---

Before becoming a famous villain, Ajit started as a lead actor. He starred in movies like Beqasoor and Nastik and played supporting roles in classics like Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur. His journey to success was difficult. Determined to act, he ran away to Mumbai, selling his books to pay for the trip. He struggled to survive, working as an extra in films before finally gaining recognition.

Talking about his personal life, Ajit was married three times. His first marriage to an Anglo-Indian woman ended due to cultural differences. His second marriage, an arranged one, lasted until his wife passed away, and they had three children. He had two more children from his third marriage, including actor Shehzad Khan.

Ajit passed away on October 22, 1998, in Hyderabad due to a heart attack at the age of 76. His portrayal of a calm yet powerful villain changed the way antagonists were seen in Indian cinema, making him one of the most admired ‘bad men’ of his time.