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Navin Nischol’s recent brush with the news was when he was arrested after his wife killed herself even as divorce papers were served on her. She had a bone to pick about his drinking problem. Before that the two were supposed to have been thrown out of their home by brother Parveen Nischol who, officially, owned the flat. Navin Nischol was described as seriously `out of work`.
It was surprising as his TV debut in Dekh Bhai Dekh was a hit and Shekhar Suman who played his young brother in this very serial went on to make his millions after that. But then, Shekhar Suman had a fire in his belly which was missing in Navin Nischol.
Nischol came into films around the time when there was an enthusiasm for students of FTII, as actors like Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Bhaduri, Shabana Azmi and many others had stolen the thunder of the more conventional, chocolate-faced actors. Even before he got admission into FTII, the handsome Navin Nischol who had already modelled for 'Will's', had a firm commitment from Mohan Saigal, who was a family friend.
This film turned out to be 'Saawan Bhadon' (1970), also Rekha's debut in Hindi films. It was a hit and at least three careers were made with it: Rekha, Navin and Jayshree T. Like happens with hit pairs, producers signed the two together in films like `Barkha Bahar` (1973) but that bombed. Navin's successful phase went on with films like 'Woh Main Nahin', 'Victoria Number 203', 'Dharma', 'Haste Zakham', 'Dhundh' and the very memorable 'Buddha Mil Gaya'. In fact, he was the man who got heroine Yogita Bali into 'Parwana' (1971), in which Amitabh Bachchan played the bad guy.
But his downfall started and Navin went into oblivion till a little later, when with he started doing character roles and TV discovered him. 'Dekh Bhai Dekh' is one of the most popular serials he has done. Life came a full circle when he played a supporting role to Amitabh in 'Major Saab' and a supporting role to Rekha, the heroine of his first film, in 'Aastha'.
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