Entertainment
oi-Swastika Sruti
Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, well known for his memorable supporting and comic roles in Hindi cinema, has died at the age of 56.
Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for supporting roles in films like Welcome and Gadar, died at 56 after reportedly battling liver cancer during treatment at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital. He was also notably involved in a 2024 kidnapping incident in Uttar Pradesh before escaping.
The actor, who appeared in films including Welcome, Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Gadar, was reportedly battling liver cancer. He had been undergoing treatment in Mumbai and was admitted to Nanavati Hospital as his condition became critical.
Mushtaq Khan’s Health Had Deteriorated
As per the reports, Mushtaq Khan was being treated for the illness that had affected him.
Mushtaq Khan had reportedly been admitted to the Nanavati hospital in Mumbai and was reportedly undergoing treatment prior to his demise which occurred on Thursday evening. An official statement from his family was awaited initially. Mushtaq Khan was known to have enjoyed a long stint in the Hindi film industry as a supporting actor.
Some of his Popular Films
Mushtaq Khan was particularly remembered for his role in Welcome (2007), where he played a memorable character alongside actors including Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor.
His notable films include:
- Aashiqui (1990)
- Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991)
- Sadak (1991)
- Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993)
- Gunaah (1993)
- Krantiveer (1994)
- Gopi Kishan (1994)
- Raja (1995)
- Major Saab (1998)
- Hera Pheri (2000)
- Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)
- Jodi No. 1 (2001)
- Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
- Welcome (2007)
- Welcome Back (2015)
- Bala (2019)
- Gadar 2 (2023)
- Stree 2 (2024)
He also played Gul Khan in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, another role that helped make him recognisable to mainstream audiences.
Mushtaq Khan’s 2024 Kidnapping Shock
Apart from being a film actor, Mushtaq Khan had a chaotic period in 2024 after he revealed that he was kidnapped after being tricked into coming to Uttar Pradesh in the name of attending an event.
As per the reports, Mushtaq Khan was invited to attend some event in Meerut and came to Delhi on November 20, 2024. As per reports, he was kidnapped from the airport, and taken to Bijnor-Meerut area.
It is said that he stayed in captivity for about 12 hours, and his kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₹1 crore. Mushtaq Khan finally managed to escape from his kidnappers and reached the nearest mosque, where he took refuge.
This incident ultimately became a part of the investigation conducted against a gang that was kidnapping actors and comedians in the name of some event.
From Madhya Pradesh To Mumbai
Mushtaq Khan was born in Baihar in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district. His journey in the film industry was not an overnight success. Like many character actors, he had to spend years finding opportunities and establishing himself.
One of the important turning points in his career was his association with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
In a 2026 interview, Khan recalled how difficult it was for him to get in touch with Bhatt during his early days. He did not have a telephone and reportedly relied on a local grocer to pass on messages whenever someone called looking for him.
His connection with Bhatt eventually became possible after Salim Khan recommended him. Khan went on to work in Kabzaa in 1988, which became his first film with Bhatt. He later appeared in several other films associated with the filmmaker.
Khan also had a substantial television career.
He appeared in shows including Nukkad, Bharat Ek Khoj, Chamatkar, Adaalat, Chacha Chaudhary, Tedhe Medhe Sapne and Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.
He later moved with the changing industry and appeared in digital projects as well, including The Railway Men.
His work across films and television gave him a career that extended well beyond the traditional Bollywood film cycle.
