CleanupBot II at 20:47, 13 August 2023

2023-08-13T20:47:32Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bob Christo
| image = Bob Christo.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Robert John Christo
| birth_date = 1938
| birth_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
| death_date = 20 March 2011<br> (aged 72-73)
| death_place = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| other_names =
| years_active = 1980–2003
| occupation = Civil engineer and actor
}}
'''Robert John Christo''', was an Australian-Indian civil engineer and actor in Hindi films.
Starting with [[Sanjay Khan]]'s ''Abdullah'' (1980), he went on to act in over 200 [[Hindi film]]s in the 1980s and 1990s, including ''[[Qurbani (1980 film)|Qurbani]]'' (1980), ''[[Kaalia]]'' (1981), ''[[Nastik (1983 film)|Nastik]]'' (1983), ''[[Mard (1985 film)|Mard]]'' (1985), ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr India]]'' (1987), ''[[Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993 film)|Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja]]'' (1993) and ''[[Gumrah (1993 film)|Gumraah]]'' (1993), mostly playing roles as a henchman or an Army General.<ref name="dh1">{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/147325/veteran-film-actor-bob-christo.html|title=Veteran film actor Bob Christo no more|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=20 March 2011|access-date=21 March 2011|location=Bangalore|archive-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324125313/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/147325/veteran-film-actor-bob-christo.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="toi1"/>

==Career==
Born in [[Sydney]], Christo was a qualified Civil Engineer of paternal Greek and maternal German descent.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Gargi |title=The passions of Christo |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-passions-of-christo-111062000101_1.html |website=Business Standards |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Christo |first1=Bob |title=Flashback: My Life and Times in Bollywood and Beyond |date=2011 |publisher=[[Penguin Books Limited]] |isbn=9788184755114 |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Flashback/K6pPNH1Tj0wC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref> He had two brothers, Helmut and Mike.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Actor-Bob-Christo-passes-away/articleshow/7749682.cms|title=Actor Bob Christo passes away|date=21 March 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|last=Dubey|first=Bharati|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-date=16 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916035201/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Actor-Bob-Christo-passes-away/articleshow/7749682.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Flashback">{{cite book|title=Flashback: My Life and Times in Bollywood and Beyond|year=2011|publisher=Penguin Books|page=215|isbn=9780143414629|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mp4BFopyO70C&q=bob+christo+in+tamil+film&pg=PA212|access-date=22 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402210022/https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Mp4BFopyO70C&pg=PA212&lpg=PA212&dq=bob+christo+in+tamil+film&source=bl&ots=LNBD0ACc9j&sig=PNP_YqkrhlVs6W2b6Y21KHHWYNs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qwsOVcf2LqTDmAWFkYEw&ved=0CEIQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=bob%20christo%20in%20tamil%20film&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Known for his brawny physique and bald-headed look, Bob arrived in [[Mumbai]], [[India]] whilst awaiting a work permit to expatriate to [[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]].<ref name="dh1"/> It was in Mumbai that he was introduced to Bollywood actress [[Parveen Babi]],<ref name="toi1"/> who helped him transition to Hindi films.

He received his first break when he constructed the jungle palace for [[Francis Ford Coppola|Francis Ford Copola]] in "[[Apocalypse Now|Apocalype Now]]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gianani|first=Kareena N.|date=2011-03-27|title='I loved playing the white baddie: Bob Christo|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-loved-playing-the-white-baddie-bob-christo-1524803|access-date=2020-11-10|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> And later as a villain in the [[Hindi language|Hindi]] movie ''Abdullah'' in 1980. Christo decided to stay in [[India]] and appeared in over 200 movies in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, playing a recurring typecast villain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1556413.ece|title=Actor Bob Christo dead|date=20 March 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321220048/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1556413.ece|archive-date=21 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sanjay Khan discovered him and gave him his first break in his movie ''Abdullah'' as the villain, and also after many years, Sanjay Khan gave him a break in his first ever television serial, ''The Great Maratha'', where he played the iconic character of Ahmed Shah Abdali.

During the later stages of his life, he relocated to [[Bangalore]] in early 2000, where he started working as a Yoga instructor<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2004/05/10/stories/2004051001830300.htm|newspaper=The Hindu|title=BAD BOY makes it good|date=10 May 2004|last=Kumar|first=Mala|access-date=4 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513225436/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2004/05/10/stories/2004051001830300.htm|archive-date=13 May 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> and remained disconnected from the Hindi movie industry since 2003.

The 72-year-old actor died of "rupture of left ventricle valve" in Bangalore on 20 March 2011. He is survived by his wife Nargis and two sons, Darius and Sunil. He has two daughters, Monique and Nicole from a previous marriage.<ref name="Flashback" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Actor Bob Christo dead|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actor-bob-christo-dead/article1556413.ece|access-date=26 August 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 March 2011|language=en-IN}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Year !! Role !! Language !! Notes
|-
|''[[Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan]]'' || 1978 || Roberts || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[The Wild Geese]]'' || 1978 || Body double || English || Uncredited
|-
|''[[Pehredaar]]'' || 1979 || || ||
|-
|''[[Qurbani (film)|Qurbani]]'' || 1980 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Cobra (1980)|Cobra]]'' || 1980 || Bob Christo || ||
|-
|''[[Abdullah (film)|Abdullah]]'' || 1980 || Magician || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sankharsham]]'' || 1981 || || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Kaalia]]'' || 1981 || Michael || Hindi ||
|-
|''Kalkut'' || 1981 || || ||
|-
|''Prohari'' || 1982 || || ||
|-
|''[[Ustadi Ustad Se]]'' || 1982 || Prem's associated || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Namak Halaal]]'' || 1982 || Hitman || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Ashanti (1982 film)|Ashanti]]'' || 1982 || Sampat's Man || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Star (1982 film)|Star]]'' || 1982 || Samson || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Disco Dancer]]'' || 1982 || International Hit-man || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Main Intequam Loonga]]'' || 1982 || Anthony || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sharaabi Nar]]'' || 1982 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Bobbili Puli]]'' || 1982 || || Telugu ||
|-
|''[[Taqdeer (1983 film)|Taqdeer]]'' || 1983 || Gangster || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Nastik (1983 film)|Nastik]]'' || 1983 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Jaani Dost]]'' || 1983 || Cobra's Goon || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Naukar Biwi Ka]]'' || 1983 || Rustom || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Hum Se Hai Zamana]]'' || 1983 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Haadsa]]'' || 1983 || Abductor || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Bekhabar]]'' || 1983 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Boxer (1984 film)|Boxer]]'' || 1984 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sharaabi]]'' || 1984 || Ruffian #3 || Hindi || Uncredited
|-
|''[[Insaaf Kaun Karega]]'' || 1984 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Raaj Tilak]]'' || 1984 || Combatant in arena || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Jagir (1984 film)|Jagir]]'' || 1984 || Bandit || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki]]'' || 1984 || Udaybhan's Assistant || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sharara]]'' || 1984 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Raja Aur Rana]]'' || 1984 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Karm Yudh (1985 film)|Karm Yudh]]'' || 1985 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sarfarosh (1985 film)|Sarfarosh]]'' || 1985 || British Man || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Baadal]]'' || 1985 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Telephone (film)|Telephone]]'' || 1985 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Geraftaar]]'' || 1985 || Ram || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Mard (1985 film)|Mard]]'' || 1985 || Simon || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Insaaf Main Karoonga]]'' || 1985 || Commander Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Yaar Kasam]]'' || 1985 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kali Basti]]'' || 1985 || Bob Jackson || Hindi ||
|-
| ''[[Haveli]]'' || 1985 || Runaway prisoner English man || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kaakki Sattai]]'' || 1985 || || Tamil ||
|-
|''[[Jeevante Jeevan]]'' || 1985 || Boxer Bob Christo || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Viduthalai (1986 film)|Viduthalai]]'' || 1986 || || Tamil ||
|-
|''[[Badle Ki Jwala]]'' || 1986 || || ||
|-
|''[[Amma (1986 film)|Amma]]'' || 1986 || British Colonel || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Prathyekam Sradhikkukka]]'' || 1986 || Christopher || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Kala Dhanda Goray Log]]'' || 1986 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Nasihat]]'' || 1986 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Allah Rakha (film)|Allah Rakha]]'' || 1986 || Don || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Avinash (film)|Avinash]]'' || 1986 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Palay Khan (film)|Palay Khan]]'' || 1986 || British Officer|| Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Hello My Dear Wrong Number]]'' || 1986 || Bob || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Kadhal Parisu]]'' || 1987 || || Tamil ||
|-
|''[[Hukumat]]'' || 1987 || DBDN's English Friend || ||
|-
|''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' || 1987 || Mr. Wolcott || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Hiraasat]]'' || 1987 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Uttar Dakshin]]'' || 1987 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Superman (1987 film)|Superman]]'' || 1987 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Jayasimha (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' || 1987 || Foreign Smuggler || Kannada ||
|-
|''[[Cooliekkaran]]'' || 1987 || || Tamil ||
|-
|''[[Commando (1988 film)|Commando]]'' || 1988 || Marcelloni's Henchman || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Bloodstone (1988 film)|Bloodstone]]'' || 1988 || Haggerty || English ||
|-
|''[[Paanch Fauladi]]'' || 1988 || Seth Englishman || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Mera Shikar]]'' || 1988 || || ||
|-
|''[[Mar Mitenge]]'' || 1988 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aryan (1988 film)|Aryan]]'' || 1988 || || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Aakhri Adaalat]]'' || 1988 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Ustaad (1989 film)|Ustaad]]'' || 1989 || Bob<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ustaad (1989)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374310/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=IMDb|language=en-US}}</ref> || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Guru (1989 film)|Guru]]'' || 1989 || Bandit || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Vardi (film)|Vardi]]'' || 1989 || Himself || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá]]'' || 1989 || Henchman || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Farz Ki Jung]]'' || 1989 || Mr. Barker || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kanoon Ki Awaaz]]'' || 1989 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Dost (1989 film)|Dost]]'' || 1989 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Toofan (1989 film)|Toofan]]'' || 1989 || Goodmark, Gold Smuggler || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Jaadugar]]'' || 1989 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Siva (1989 Tamil film)|Siva]]'' || 1989 || || Tamil ||
|-
|''[[Desh Ke Dushman]]'' || 1989 || Inspector Bob || ||
|-
|''[[Shehzaade]]'' || 1989 || Bob || Hindi || Uncredited
|-
|''[[Apna Desh Praye Log]]'' || 1989 || Swami's Goon || ||
|-
|''[[Sachai Ki Taqat]]'' || 1989 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Love Love Love (1989 film)|Love Love Love]]'' || 1989 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Dav Pech]]'' || 1989 || Gambler || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aakhri Muqabla]]'' || 1989 || Tiger / Shola / Shaitan || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Gharana]]'' || 1989 || Shiekh, Diamond Merchant || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Elaan-E-Jung]]'' || 1989 || Kalanaag Henchman || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Meri Garmi]]'' || 1989 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Maut Se Mukabala]]'' || 1990 || || ||
|-
|''[[Taqdeer Ka Tamasha]]'' || 1990 || Shooter George || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Zahreelay]]'' || 1990 || Massena || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Agneepath (1990 film)|Agneepath]]'' || 1990 || Gora || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Gunahon Ka Devta (1990 film)|Gunahon Ka Devta]]'' || 1990 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Doodh Ka Karz]]'' || 1990 || Engrez Master 'Gora' || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Zimmedaaar]]'' || 1990 || Man who beat up the press editor || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Roti Kee Keemat]]'' || 1990 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''Maula Jatt'' || 1990 || || Punjabi ||
|-
|''[[Dushman (1990 film)|Dushman]]'' || 1990 || Sadashiv's aide || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Atishbaz]]'' || 1990 || Michael || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Athisaya Piravi]]'' || 1990 || Goon || Tamil || Uncredited
|-
|''[[Aag Ka Gola]]'' || 1990 || Natwar's Man Baldy || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Saugandh (1991 film)|Saugandh]]'' || 1991 || Killer || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Vishnu-Devaa]]'' || 1991 || Bald Fighter || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Yodha (1991 film)|Yodha]]'' || 1991 || Christo || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Farishtay]]'' || 1991 || Terrorist Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Numbri Aadmi]]'' || 1991 || Don || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kaun Kare Kurbanie]]'' || 1991 || Goon || || Uncredited
|-
|''Jungle Beauty'' || 1991 || Jumbo || ||
|-
|''[[Fateh (1991 film)|Fateh]]'' || 1991 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Mr. Bond]]'' || 1992 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Tahalka]]'' || 1992 || Captain Richard || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Humshakal (1992 film)|Humshakal]]'' ||1992 || Rapist || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Deedar (1992 film)|Deedar]]'' || 1992 || Goon || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sone Ki Lanka]]'' || 1992 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Dil Aashna Hai]]'' || 1992 || Goverdhan's man || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Tirangaa]]'' || 1992 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Saali Adhe Gharwali]]'' || 1992 || Peter || ||
|-
|''[[Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993 film)|Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja]]'' || 1993 || Mr. Donze || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Phool Aur Angaar]]'' || 1993 || Mr Richard || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Gumrah (1993 film)|Gumrah]]'' || 1993 || Male cop in Hong Kong || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Hum Hain Kamaal Ke]]'' || 1993 || English Diamond Dealer || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aadmi (1993 film)|Aadmi]]'' || 1993 || John || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Tahqiqaat]]'' || 1993 || Goon || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aulad Ke Dushman]]'' || 1993 || Rexon Warner || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aankhen (1993 film)|Aankhen]]'' || 1993 || Tejeshwar's Henchman || Hindi || Uncredited
|-
|''[[Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya]]'' || 1994 || || ||
|-
|''[[Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se]]'' || 1994 || Bob || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Pathreela Raasta]]'' || 1994 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Aaja Re O Sajana]]'' || 1994 || || ||
|-
|''[[Jawab (1995 film)|Jawab]]'' || 1995 || Sobhraj's goon || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Paandav]]'' || 1995 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Jai Vikraanta]]'' || 1995 || || ||
|-
|''[[Prem (film)|Prem]]'' || 1995 || British Officer || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Sarhad: The Border of Crime]]'' || 1995 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kismat (1995 film)|Kismat]]'' || 1995 || Charlie || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Zordaar]]'' || 1996 || John || ||
|-
|''[[Ram Aur Shyam]]'' || 1996 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Agnichakra (film)|Agnichakra]]'' || 1997 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Gupt: The Hidden Truth]]'' ||1997 || Boat organiser || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Dhaal]]'' || 1997 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kalicharan]]'' || 1998 || || ||
|-
|''[[Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain]]'' || 1999 || || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Nyaydaata]]'' || 1999 || B.C. || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Kasam (2001 film)|Kasam]]'' || 2001 || John || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[Veer Savarkar (film)|Veer Savarkar]]'' || 2001 || [[William Hutt Curzon Wyllie]] || Hindi ||
|-
|''[[On Wings of Fire]]'' || 2001 || || ||
|-
|''Rose Thorn'' || 2004 || || ||
|-
|''[[Aman Ke Farishtey]]'' || 2016 || || Hindi || (final film role)
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year!! Title !! Role || Language
|-
|1990 || ''[[The Sword of Tipu Sultan]]'' || General Matthews || Hindi
|-
|1994 || ''[[The Great Maratha]]'' || [[Ahmed Shah Abdali]] || Hindi
|-
| || ''The Indian Trunk'' || || French
|-
| || ''La Nouvelle Malle des Indes'' || Le major aka Wettlauf nach Bombay West Germany || French
|}

==Works==
* ''Flashback: My Life and Times in Bollywood and Beyond'', by Bob Christo. Penguin India, 2011. {{ISBN|0143414623}}.

==See also==
*[[List of Indian film actors]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0160463}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christo, Bob}}
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors from Sydney]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Australian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Australian emigrants to India]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Bangalore]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Australian emigrants to Germany]]
[[Category:Australian emigrants to Austria]]
[[Category:People with acquired Indian citizenship]]
[[Category:People who lost Australian citizenship]]
[[Category:Indian people of German descent]]
[[Category:Indian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Indian people of Australian descent]]

Bob Christo - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 20:47, 13 August 2023