Gufi Paintal, also known as Sarabjeet Singh Paintal, was an Indian actor and casting director. Initially trained as an engineer and joined indian army during Sino-Indian War in 1962. While on border folk play of Ramlila was conducted in which he acted as Sita, from where he got interest in acting. Then he came to Bombay where his younger brother Paintal was trying his career in acting. Arriving in Bombay in 1969, Gufi took up modelling, worked as an assistant director for movies and acted in various movies and serials. He also directed his brother. His most well-known role is that of Mama Shakuni in the adaptation of Mahabharat by B.R. Chopra and his son Ravi Chopra, which Paintal himself recognized as his best role. He was so associated with his Shakuni character in India that Paintal presented a political discussion show on the news channel Sahara Samay in the character of Shakuni.