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Ramu Maali of Bhoot Bungla

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Ramu the psychotic looking Maali is perhaps one of most common and essential character in any true classic (often otherwise) Indian Horror film. The above clip is from a 1965 film by Mehmood called Bhoot Bungla.

The role of Maali in this film was essayed by great Indian character actor of yesteryear - Nana Palsikar. He did it with such conviction that the role almost became a model reference (like: Thou Shall Always Carry Lantern!) for almost every future horror film ever made in India specially the cult favorite ones made by Ramsay Brothers. Remember, in Indian Horror classic Veerana it is the crazy looking house help who turns out to be the evil one.

In Bhoot Bungla, the role of brave maalkin/betiya was played by beautiful Tanuja. Maalkin is not only brave but also intelligent, she does say, 'Maali couldn't possibly be smoking Regent Cigarettes'.


The music in this clip is by RD Burman for the song 'Main Bhookha Hu' from the same film. The song was in fact pictured on RD Burman, Mehmood and some men dancing in skeleton spandex suit (no.. probably just cotton) acting as hungry ghosts looking for human gosht. This film also brought together Kishore Kumar and Rahul Dev Burman for the first time. The film also had the crazy twist number Aao Twist Karein .But, my personal favorite song from this film is Jaago Sone Walo. 


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