Amjad Khan (actor)

Amjad Khan (12 November 1940 – 27 July 1992) was an Indian actor and director.[2] He worked in over 132 films in a career spanning nearly twenty years. He gained popularity for villainous roles in mostly Hindi films, the most famous being the iconic Gabbar Singh in the 1975 classic Sholay[3] and of Dilawar in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).

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Amjad Khan
Born(1940-11-12)12 November 1940
Died27 July 1992(1992-07-27) (aged 51)
NationalityIndian
Occupationactor, director
Years active1965-1992
Known forPortraying Gabbar Singh
Notable work
Sholay
Spouse(s)Shaila Khan
Children3, including Shadaab Khan

Early life

Amjad Khan was born in Bombay, British India to legendary actor Jayant in a Pashtun family in 1940.[1]

His elder brother was actor Imtiaz Khan. Amjad Khan was educated at St. Andrew's High School, in Bandra.

He attended R D National College, where he held the position of general secretary, the highest elected student body representative.

Career

Before Amjad Khan came to films, he was a theatre actor. His first role was as a child actor at the age of 11 in the film Nazneen in 1951. His next role was at the age of 17 in the film Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957).[4] He assisted K. Asif in the film Love And God in the late 1960s and had a brief appearance in the film. The film was left incomplete after Asif's death in 1971, and it was finally released in 1986. In 1973, he appeared in Hindustan Ki Kasam in a small role.

In 1975, he was offered the role of dacoit Gabbar Singh for the film Sholay by Salim Khan, who was one of its writers. In preparation for the role, Amjad read Abhishapth Chambal, a book on Chambal dacoits written by Taroon Kumar Bhaduri (actress Jaya Bhaduri's father). Amjad shot to stardom with the movie. His portrayal of Gabbar Singh is considered by many to be the first depiction of pure evil in Indian Cinema. His mannerisms and dialogues have become an integral part of the Bollywood lexicon and spawned numerous parodies and spoofs [Specially "Soja Nahi to Gabbar Ajayega"]. Sholay went on to become a blockbuster. Although it boasted an ensemble cast of superstars including Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjeev Kumar, who was nominated that year for the Filmfare award for Best Actor category, Amjad stole the show with his unorthodox and eerie dialogue delivery. Even to this day people fondly remember his dialogues and mannerisms. He later appeared in advertisements as Gabbar Singh endorsing Britannia Glucose Biscuits (popularly known as Gabbar Ki Asli Pasand), the first incidence of a villain being used to sell a popular product.[5]

After the success of Sholay, Khan continued to play negative roles in many subsequent Hindi films in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s – superseding, in terms of popularity and demand, the earlier Indian actor, Ajit. He often acted as villain opposite Amitabh Bachchan as the hero. His role in Inkaar was also presented in terrifying manner. He made his presence felt in Des Pardes, Nastik, Satte Pe Satta, Chambal Ki Kasam, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and Naseeb.

Khan was also acclaimed for playing many unconventional roles. In the critically acclaimed film Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) (based on the novel of the same title), by Munshi Premchand and directed by Satyajit Ray, Khan played the helpless and deluded monarch Wajid Ali Shah, whose kingdom, Avadh, is being targeted by British colonialists from the British East India Company. It is the only movie in which he dubbed a song. In 1979, he portrayed Emperor Akbar in the film Meera. He played many positive roles such as in Yaarana (1981) and Laawaris (1981) as Amitabh's friend and father respectively, Rocky (1981) and Commander (1981). In the art film Utsav (1984), he portrayed Vatsayana, the author of the Kama Sutra. In 1988, he appeared in the Merchant Ivory English language film The Perfect Murder as an underworld don. He excelled at playing comical characters in films such as Qurbani (1980), Love Story and Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986). In 1991, he reprised his role as Gabbar Singh in Ramgarh Ke Sholay, a parody of the legendary film which included look-alikes of Dev Anand and Amitabh Bachchan.

He ventured into directing for a brief period in the 1980s, directing and starring in Chor Police (1983), which did not do well, and Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi (1985) which was a blockbuster at the box office.

Amjad was the president of the Actors Guild Association. He was respected in the film industry. He would intervene and negotiate disputes between actors and directors/producers. One such dispute occurred when Meenakshi Seshadri was dropping out in between the movie Damini by Raj Kumar Santoshi reason behind was Meenakshi rejected his proposal, Amjad Khan sort out the matter and forced Raj Santoshi to taken back his harsh decision. He solve another dispute occurred when Dimple Kapadia agreed to play a mother role and later backed out. The entire film producers' community tried to boycott her. Khan intervened on behalf of the Actors Guild.

Personal life

In 1972, he married Shehla Khan and in the following year, she gave birth to their first child, Shadaab Khan. He also had a daughter, Ahlam Khan, and another son, Seemaab Khan. Ahlam married popular theatre actor Zafar Karachiwala in 2011.[6]

Death

In 1976,[7][8] Amjad Khan had a severe accident on the Mumbai-Goa highway which left him with broken ribs and a punctured lung. He was going to participate in the shooting of the film The Great Gambler, starring Amitabh Bachchan.[9] Due to the serious injuries he also almost slipped into a coma, but he died and then recovered again. That was quite surprising. The drug administered during his operation caused him to gain a lot of weight, which led to further health complications. As a result of his increasing weight, he died in 1992 due to heart failure at the age of 51. Several of the films he had completed were released after his death, until 1996. His funeral was attended by almost all the filmstars as well as directors, producers and renowned personalities of Film fraternity. He was buried at Naupada Qabarstan of Bandra West in Mumbai just beside the grave of his father, Actor Jayant (Zakaria Khan) on 28th July. The name of the place, where he used to live at Bandra has been named as Kalakar Amjad Khan Chowk. He was the President of Actors Guild till the last day of his life and also attended a meeting in the afternoon of 27th July 1992.

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

[10]

BFJA Awards

  • Won – BFJA Award for Best Actor in Supporting Role – Sholay (1976)

[11]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1951 Nazneen Credited as Amjad, child artist
1957 Ab Dilli Dur Nahin Lachhu
1961 Maya
1973 Hindustan Ki Kasam
1975 Sholay Gabbar Singh Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
1976 Charas
Ginny Aur Johnny
1977 Aafat Shera
Aakhri Goli
Chakkar Pe Chakkar Avdhut
Hum Kisise Kum Naheen Saudagar Singh
Kasam Khoon Ki Bhajirao
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein Nattu
Parvarish Mangal Singh
Ram Bharose Bhanupratap
Shatranj Ke Khiladi Wajid Ali Shah
Inkaar Raj Singh 'Kidnapper'
1978 Apna Khoon Khan
Besharam Digvijay Singh/Dharamdas
Bandie Kanchan V. Singh
Bhookh Thakur Harnam Singh
Des Pardes Bhoot Singh/Avtar Singh
Ganga Ki Saugand Thakur Jashwant Singh
Heeralal Pannalal Panther
Kasme Vaade Juda, the Hunchback Guest appearance
Khoon Ki Pukaar Zalim Singh/Sardar
Muqaddar
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Dilawar
Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan Kalandhar
Ram Kasam
Sawan Ke Geet
1979 Ahsaas Pradeep Rai Choudhry
Atmaram
Chambal Ki Raani
Dada Fazlu
Do Shikaari Zorro
Hamare Tumhare Mr. Chaudhary, Sonia's Father
Hum Tere Aashiq Hain Thakur Shamsher Singh
Lok Parlok Ram Shastri/Boston Strangler/
Raman Raghav/Ram Ghulam
Meera Badshah Akbar
Mr. Natwarlal Vikram Singh
Raakhi Ki Saugandh Jagganath 'Jagga'/Yahwar Pahwar Khan
Sarkari Mehmaan
Suhaag Vikram Kapoor
1980 Bombay 405 Miles Veer Singh
Chambal Ki Kasam
Jwalamukhi Daku Sher Singh
Khanjar Prince/Swamiji
Lahu Pukarega
Lootmaar Vikram
Pyaara Dushman
Qurbani Inspector Amjad Khan Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
Ram Balram Suleiman Seth
Yari Dushmani Birju
1981 Anusandhan
Barsaat Ki Ek Raat Kaliram H. Sahu
Chehre Pe Chehra Kanhus, Martha's brother
Commander Commander Singh
Dhuaan Sunil's boss
Gehra Zakhm
Hum Se Badkar Kaun Chandan/Bholaram
Jail Yatra Kuldeep
Kanhaiyaa Madhav Singh
Paanch Qaidi
Kaalia Shahani Seth/Jaswant
Katilon Ke Kaatil Black Cobra
Khoon Ka Rishta
Ladies Tailor Nawab Amjad Khan
Laawaris Ranvir Singh
Love Story Havaldar Sher Singh
Maan Gaye Ustaad Munna/Shera
Naseeb Damu (Damodar)
Plot No. 5 Inspector Khan
Professor Pyarelal Ronnie/Ranjit Singh/Gomes
Rocky Robert D'Souza
Shama Dargah devotee
Waqt Ki Deewar Thakur Ranvir Dayal Singh
Yaarana Bishan
Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai Sharif Khan/Sharafat Ali/Karamat Ali/
Salamat Ali/Wajahat Ali
1982 Satte Pe Satta Ranjit Singh
Baghawat Maharaj Durjan Singh/
Maharaj Vikram Singh
Daulat Joseph D'Souza/Tripathi
Desh Premee Thakur Pratap Singh
Dharam Kanta Chandan Singh/Jwala Singh
Insaan
Samraat Ranbir
Teesri Aankh Jabbar Singh
Taqdeer Ka Badshah
Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon Mohammed 'Sultan Bhai'/
Sultan Singh Rathod
1983 Achha Bura Mohammad Sher Khan/
Kamalrup Chaurasiya 'Shera'
Bade Dil Wala Bhagwat Singh (B.K.)/
Dr. Joshi
Chor Police Barkhi Khan
Himmatwala Sher Singh Bandookwala
Hum Se Hai Zamana Iqbal/Thakur's son
Humse Na Jeeta Koi Bheema Singh
Jaani Dost Hari/Nooruddin/Harry
Mahaan Vikram Singh
Nastik Tiger
1984 Bindiya Chamkegi Inspector Vijay Kumar
Dhokebaaz
Kaamyaab
Tere Mere Beech Mei A film by Dada Kondke
Maati Maange Khoon Thakur Balram Singh
Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! Kundan Kapadia
Pet Pyaar Aur Paap
Utsav Vatsyayan Nominated- Filmfare Best Comedian Award
1985 Ameer Aadmi Gharib Aadmi Akram
Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar Abbas Malayalam film
Ek Daku Saher Mein Surjan Singh
Ek Se Bhale Do Balram/Bhima
Maa Kasam Chakradhari Won- Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Mera Saathi Ram Kumar's play character
Mohabbat Gamma Pehalwan
Pataal Bhairavi Vishvanath Chanchal
1986 Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein Sultan
Chameli Ki Shaadi Advocate Harish
Jeeva Sardar
Love and God Kais' family servant
Mohabbat Ki Kasam Baseera Singh
Nasihat
Pahunche Huwe Log Minister Satyaprakash
Peechha Karo Brigadier
Simhasanam Telugu film
Singhasan Kupateshwar Simhasanam in Telugu
Vikram Sultan of Salamia Tamil film
Zindagani Bhola
1987 Ahsaan
Insaniyat Ke Dushman Pratap Singh
Jaago Hua Savera
Maashuka
Sitapur Ki Geeta Thakur Pratap Singh
1988 Bees Saal Baad Bhavani Baba
Do Waqt Ki Roti Tantia Bheel/Purshottam
Inteqam
Kabrastan Nepolean D'Costa
Kanwarlal John Jani Janardhan
Maalamaal Suleiman Dada
Paanch Fauladi Dilawar Khan, Fauladi No. 5
Qatil Badshah Akram Khan
The Perfect Murder Lala Heera Lal
1989 Dost Sher Singh
Khuli Khidki Dr. A.K. Jayant
Meri Zabaan Inspector Malpani/
Arjun Vaswani
Naqab Nawab Dada Sarkar
Santosh Qaidi No. 333
1990 Lekin... Shafi Ahmed Sidiqqui
Maha-Sangram Bada Ghoda
Pati Patni Aur Tawaif Sulaiman Dildar
1991 Love Guruji
Izzat
Ramgarh Ke Sholay Gabbar Singh
Yaara Dildara
1992 Aasmaan Se Gira Alien ruler
Dil Hi To Hai Maharaj Vikram Singh
Ele, My Friend Omar
Saali Adhi Ghar Waali
Waqt Ka Badshah
Virodhi Judge
1993 Bechain
In Custody Babu's Musician English Film
Rudaali Thakur Ram Avtar, Lakhsman's father
Bannada Gejje Kannada film starring V Ravichandran
Prema Yuddham Telugu film starring Nagarjuna Akkineni
1994 Do Fantoosh Bajrang
1995 Anokhi Chaal
1996 Aatank Alphonso
Hukumnama
Sautela Bhai Thakur Narayandas

See also

References

  1. "Obituary: Amjad Khan". The Independent. 26 August 1992. Retrieved 12 November 2015. The son of Zakaria Khan, a Pathan from the North-West Frontier Province and popular Bollywood character actor of the Fifties and Sixties (screen name Jayant), Khan was born in Bombay in 1940.
  2. "Remember the old baddies?". MSN India. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  3. "Gabbar Singh". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  4. "Amjad Khan Biography, Amjad Khan Profile - Filmibeat". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  5. "Glucon D Bisuits Amjad Khan | Print Ads | MBA Skool-Study.Learn.Share". Mbaskool.com. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  6. "Zafar Karachiwala, Ahlam Khan got married - The Times of India". The Times Of India. 23 September 2011.
  7. "Tragic Nostalgia". The Times of India. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  8. ""I was confident my marriage would never break"". Filmfare. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  9. "Amitabh and the Goa Connect". The Navhind Times. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  10. "Amjad Khan". IMDb. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  11. "69th & 70th Annual Hero Honda BFJA Awards 2007". 19 January 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
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