Atul Parchure, a popular screen actor and renowned theatre artiste, passed away on October 14 at the age of 57 after battling cancer. He was well-known for his comic roles in Hindi and Marathi films, as well as in television serials, music videos, and advertisements. Following his death, his admirers took to social media to pay tribute by sharing clips of his memorable scenes from Hindi films like Khatta Meetha, Billu (formerly Billu Barber), and All The Best. RIP Atul Parchure: This Scene From ‘Khatta Meetha’ Featuring Akshay Kumar, Asrani and Late Actor Is Going Viral; Fans Thank Him for This ‘Iconic’ Comedy Gem.

Speaking of Billu, the 2009 comedy directed by Priyadarshan starred Shah Rukh Khan and the late Irrfan Khan in the lead roles. The film was a remake of the 2007 Malayalam hit Kathaparayumbol, which featured Mammootty and Sreenivasan in the lead. Shah Rukh Khan portrayed Sahir Khan, a Bollywood superstar who arrives in a village to shoot his next film, while Irrfan Khan played the titular character, Billu, a barber who claims to have been the superstar’s childhood friend.

Atul Parchure played the role of Charandas Chaubey, the manager of the hotel where Sahir stays who is an an aspiring actor himself. In one of the film’s standout scenes, Sahir gives him a chance to act in a scene from his film, where he dresses up as a policeman. However, despite being fed his lines repeatedly, poor Chaubey keeps fumbling with each take, much to Sahir’s frustration. RIP Atul Parchure: Sanjay Mishra Laments Loss of His ‘All the Best’ Co-Star by Recalling This Line From the Movie.

Watch The Comedy Scene From 'Billu' Featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Atul Parchure:

Fan Remembering Atul Parchure Through 'Billu'

'Rest in Peace, Atul Parchure'

'Importance of This Scene'

'Underrated Actor With Brilliant Comic Timing'

'So Funny in This Scene'

Atul Parchure's Character in 'Billu' Was Borrowed From Another Malayalam Movie

Interestingly, like the film itself, this scene was also a remake, albeit from a different movie. Atul Parchure’s character in Billu did not appear in the original Kathaparayumbol (which was also remade in Tamil as Kuselan, starring Rajinikanth). In fact, Chaubey’s character was loosely inspired by a role from another Malayalam film, the 1996 movie Azhakiya Ravanan, directed by Kamal, which also starred Mammootty and Sreenivasan.

In Azhakiya Ravanan, the late Innocent portrayed Kuruppu, a pompous karayogam president with acting ambitions. He, too, gets a chance to act in a film produced by Mammootty’s character, where he plays a policeman. Like Chaubey, Kuruppu repeatedly fumbles his lines, frustrating the crew until he is eventually kicked off the set. This scene is considered one of the most iconic comedic moments in Innocent’s career and in Malayalam cinema.

You can watch the scene from Azhakiya Ravanan by clicking here.

Innocent also appeared in Kathaparayumbol, playing a wealthy man desperate to invite Mammootty’s superstar character to his home. It is a tragic irony that both actors who performed variations of the same comic scene are no longer with us.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2024 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).