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Mushtaq Khan dies at 56: Fans mourn Welcome actor, remember his iconic scenes

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, famous for roles in films like Welcome and Gadar, passed away at 56.

Updated on: Sep 24, 2026, 20:56:35 IST
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Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his memorable supporting roles in films including Welcome, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Gadar 2 and Stree 2, has died at the age of 56. The actor's death was reported on Thursday evening.

Mushtaq was battling cancer

Mushtaq Khan dies at 56.
Mushtaq Khan dies at 56.

Mushtaq was battling cancer. He had been admitted to Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital in critical condition. He was placed in the ICU and reportedly passed away on Thursday evening.

His business partner Shivam confirmed the news to HT City. He said, “He passed away around 7pm on Thursday. He had been detected with lung cancer earlier and had got well. However, it relapsed eight days back and had to be admitted to the hospital. It was last stage cancer.”

Fans remember Mushtaq

Deep Dive

What were Mushtaq Khan's most famous roles in films?

Mushtaq Khan is best known for his iconic roles in films such as Welcome, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. His character Ballu in Welcome, especially his memorable dialogue, became a fan favorite.

How did Mushtaq Khan's battle with cancer affect his health prior to his death?

Mushtaq Khan had previously battled lung cancer and was reported to be in recovery. However, the cancer relapsed eight days before his death, leading to his admission to the ICU at Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital.

Why did Mushtaq Khan not receive the recognition he deserved?

While Mushtaq Khan was a versatile and talented actor, he often played supporting roles, which may have contributed to a lack of recognition compared to lead actors, despite his significant contributions to Hindi cinema.
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KRK remembered Mushtaq and wrote on X (formely Twitter), “RIP Mushtaq Bhai. You will be missed bro!” A fan shared Mushtaq's old clip and wrote, “Brilliant acting and comic timing.”

One more fan remembered his role in Aamir Khan's Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. The comment read, “Rest in peace, Mushtaq Khan Ji.😔 Your portrayal of Mishra Ji in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke will always remain one of those performances that brought warmth, humour and innocence to the screen. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones."

About Mushtaq Khan

Mushtaq Khan made his screen debut with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai in 1980. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he appeared in several Hindi films, including Welcome, Aashiqui, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, among others. He worked across Hindi films and television, was known for his versatile performances in supporting roles.

In an old interview with Bollywood Hungama, Mushtaq had shared how legendary writer and Salman Khan's father Salim Khan had helped him get a big break in Bollywood. Speaking about how Salim Khan saw him in a play and approached him, he said, "It was then that Salim Khan saw me perform and called me over. He was very impressed with my work and told me that he had recommended my name to Mahesh Bhatt for a film."

Thanks to Salim Khan, Mushtaq met Mahesh, Mukesh Bhatt and Robin Bhatt and landed a role in the 1988 film Kabzaa, which starred prominent actors like Raj Babbar, Dimple Kapadia, Sanjay Dutt and Amrita Singh.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vibha Maru

Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.

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