Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan dies after battle with cancer

All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta told SCREEN that Mushtaq Khan had been diagnosed with cancer five years ago and had recovered, but the disease relapsed two weeks ago.

“He passed away less than an hour ago. He was sick since many days. I am trying to get in touch with his family,” Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president BN Tiwari told SCREEN.

Recalling his decades-long friendship with Mushtaq Khan and their early struggles in the industry, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, “Mushtaq and I were very old friends. We did theatre, plays and TV shows together. He was like a part of our family and was very close to me. His loss is unbelievable. He was an example for the industry — coming to Mumbai from a small town, studying theatre, being passionate about his craft and being a very good human being. It’s a loss to the industry and a personal loss to me.”

“We were both groomed together. We grew up together like brothers. Despite the scarcity of money, we lived through difficult times together. It’s the loss of a dear friend, a brother, and an actor who mastered the art of performance. He was brilliant on stage. We lost Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik, and now Mushtaq. One after the other, it is becoming really difficult to face these kinds of losses,” he added.

Mushtaq Khan’s funeral will take place on Friday at the Yari Road Kabristan.

Mushtaq Khan’s career in Hindi cinema

Mushtaq Khan made his silver screen debut in 1980. (Express archive photo)

Mushtaq 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. His supporting performances and comic timing made him a recognisable presence in Hindi films.

He appeared in films like 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!.

Mushtaq Khan continued to work across generations, appearing in more recent films such as Stree, Badhaai Do, Gadar 2 and Stree 2. His later credits also included Vanvaas, Baby John, Dhoom Dhaam and Jaat. He worked in television as well in shows such as Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.

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Mushtaq Khan’s memorable Welcome role

Among Mushtaq Khan‘s most remembered performances was his role in Anees Bazmee’s Welcome (2007). His comic monologue about having a fake leg after being injured by Uday Bhai became one of the film’s most quoted sequences.

Despite having a supporting role, Khan’s performance stood out in a film packed with established comic actors and stars including Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.

Mushtaq Khan also played Gul Khan in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001). He returned to the franchise more than two decades later with Gadar 2 in 2023.