Legendary comedian Mehmood remains one of Indian cinema’s most beloved entertainers, but according to veteran author Hanif Zaveri, the actor endured significant turmoil in his personal life, particularly when it came to his children.Speaking on the Meri Saheli Podcast, Zaveri reflected on Mehmood’s relationship with his family and made several claims about the actor’s strained bond with son Lucky Ali during his younger years.
‘Lucky Ali caused Mehmood a lot of pain’
Recalling the challenges Mehmood faced as a father, Zaveri said that Lucky Ali went through a difficult phase before finding success as a singer and actor.”Lucky Ali became successful later, but when it comes to family matters, he caused Mehmood a lot of pain,” Zaveri claimed.According to him, the singer and some of his siblings were heavily dependent on their father and often created problems at home.”These children depended entirely on Mehmood. If he brought something home, it would get sold. Someone would run away from home, someone else would create another issue. There was constant turmoil,” he said.Zaveri further alleged that Mehmood was so frustrated at times that he would discipline Lucky Ali harshly. “Mehmood had even beaten him on occasions. Selling household belongings and other such incidents had happened before Lucky became successful,” he claimed.
‘I am very troubled because of this boy’
The veteran journalist said he had heard numerous stories about the father-son relationship from people close to the family.”I have heard many stories about Lucky Ali. Mehmood would often say, ‘Yaar, I am very troubled because of this boy.’ The children would leave home repeatedly and create problems,” Zaveri said.He also claimed that Mehmood had given money to his children for their security, but much of it was squandered.”Mehmood gave lakhs of rupees to his children for their future and security. Some of them spent it all. The money disappeared,” he alleged.
Why Mehmood blamed family circumstances
While discussing the family tensions, Zaveri also suggested that many of the problems stemmed from the environment in which the children were raised.”The mother and father separated, the children went to boarding schools, and Mehmood was busy with films. In broken families, such situations often happen,” he said.According to him, the children lacked consistent parental guidance.”They did not get the guidance they needed. Some got into bad habits, some became involved with alcohol, and the family slowly drifted apart. Parents play a huge role in a child’s upbringing, and unfortunately, that support was missing,” he added.Zaveri also commented on Lucky Ali’s personal life, saying, “Lucky Ali married several times and also got divorced multiple times. Relationships should be nurtured and maintained.”
‘Mehmood was not happy with all his children’
The author further claimed that Mehmood was disappointed by the choices made by some of his children later in life.”Mehmood was not happy with all his children. He was especially fond of Makdoom Ali and Masoom Ali. He felt some of the others had caused him a great deal of worry,” Zaveri said.At the same time, he acknowledged that every family has its own journey and challenges.”Everyone has their own life story. Some children managed things well and some did not. That happens in every family,” he noted.
The pain behind the laughter
Despite the difficulties he faced at home, Mehmood continued to entertain audiences with timeless performances in films such as Padosan, Bombay to Goa, Gumnaam and Kunwara Baap.For Zaveri, that ability to hide personal pain behind comedy is what made Mehmood extraordinary.”He went through immense suffering in his personal life, but when the camera rolled, he made people laugh. Very few people can do that. That is why Mehmood’s legacy remains unmatched,” he said. Go to Source
