Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, remembered for his supporting and comic roles in films such as Welcome, Hera Pheri and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, died Thursday after battling lung cancer. He was 56. His business partner Shivam confirmed that Khan died around 7 pm after the disease, for which he had previously undergone treatment, relapsed recently and led to his hospitalisation.
Khan had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital after his condition deteriorated. Federation of Western India Cine Employees president B N Tiwari also confirmed the actor’s death, while All Indian Cine Workers Association president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta said Khan had first been diagnosed with lung cancer around five years ago and had recovered before the disease returned.
Four decades on screen
Khan made his screen debut with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai in 1980 and went on to build a career spanning more than four decades. Rarely the conventional leading man, he became one of Hindi cinema’s recognisable character actors, appearing in supporting and comic parts across several generations of films.
His credits included Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Raja, Hera Pheri, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Jodi No. 1, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Welcome, Wanted and Oh My God!. In recent years, Khan continued to work in films including Badhaai Do, Gadar 2 and Stree 2, maintaining a screen career that stretched from the parallel and mainstream cinema of the 1980s to contemporary Bollywood.
One of his most widely remembered appearances came in Anees Bazmee’s 2007 comedy Welcome, where he played Ballu, an associate of Uday Shetty, played by Nana Patekar. His comic monologue beginning with “Meri ek taang nakli hai” became one of the film’s most recognisable sequences and continued to circulate widely through memes and social media years after the film’s release.
Films, television and theatre
Khan also had a substantial presence outside cinema, working in television and theatre during his long career. His television appearances included Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, while his ability to move between comedy and character roles helped make him a familiar presence to audiences across formats.
He was also part of both Gadar: Ek Prem Katha in 2001 and its sequel Gadar 2 more than two decades later. His later film appearances included Stree 2, allowing him to remain active in major Hindi productions even after spending decades in the industry.
Khan’s funeral is scheduled to take place Friday at the Yari Road Kabristan in Mumbai. His death prompted condolences from members of the film fraternity, with actor-comedian Sunil Pal among those who paid tribute to the veteran performer.