The first image that came to mind with the mention of Mazhar Khan is a man singing “Naam Abdul Hai Mira” in “Shaan.” In his brief role, he made a big impact and is still remembered for that role. His story is a lesson in how your decisions can affect the lives of you and your loved ones, for good and bad.
Early Life and Career
Mazhar Khan, born on July 22, 1955, in Delhi, was a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, known for his multifaceted contributions as an actor, producer, and director. He completed his education in Delhi and was active in theater from his college days. In the late 1970s Honey Irani noticed him in a play. Impressed by his looks and acting, she asked him to give her his portfolio. Honey shows his portfolio to Javed Akhtar, who was working on Ramesh Sippy’s “Shaan.” Akhtar showed the photograph to Sippy, who thought that the rugged and good guy was fit for his film.
Salim Javed especially developed a previously small role into the now iconic “Abdul” of Shaan. It was the first film he signed. While Shaan was being made, he signed another film, “Sampark (1979),” which was released before Shaan. The film was directed by Inder Sen and starred Madhu Kapoor, Girish Karnad, Rameshwari, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda with him. In the film he played Brindavan, a taxi driver who finds himself amidst a sinister plan hatched by Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
Mazhar Khan In Shaan
However, it was his portrayal of Abdul in the 1980 blockbuster Raj Sippy’s “Shaan” that brought him widespread recognition. In Shaan, one of the most expansive and ambitious films of its time, Mazhar played Abdul. Abdul is a good-hearted, crippled man who supplies information about the doings on the streats. The action thriller also stars Sunil Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Mazhar also get to act on the famous song “Naam Abdul Hai Mera,” sung by Rafi.
With the film, Mazhar became an overnight sensation, despite his brief role. Khan’s career spanned over two decades, during which he appeared in more than 40 Hindi films, often portraying villains and supporting characters.
Other Work
In 1981 he starred opposite Zarina Wahab in S.U. Syed’s “Roohi.” The film is a lovestory between a painter (Mazhar) and a village girl Sajjo (Zarina). Mazhar painted a girl who he saw in a dream and named her Roohi. He was astonished to see the girl of his painting in flesh and blood on a trip to Himachal.
Over the years he apeared in many memorable films like Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth (1982), H. Dinesh’s Bhavani Junction (1985), Raj N. Sippy’s Shiva Ka Insaaf (1985), and
JP Dutta’s Ghulami (1985). Some of his other film include Dahnwan (1981), Dard (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Haathkadi (1982), Bindiya Chamkegi (1982), Wanted (1984), Aandhi-Toofan (1985), Bepanaah (1985), Ek Number Ka Chor (1992), Angaar (1992), and many more.
Mazhar Khan also appeared in John Kincade’s science fiction film “Terminal Entry” in 1987. He also acted in the Sippy’s iconic serial “Buniyaad,” as Roshanm Lal. In 1989, he acted in the British mini-series “Traffik,” directed by Alastair Reid.
Mazhar Khan produced the film “Bombay Fantasy” in 1983. He also directed the multi-starrer film “Gang.” Due to his ill health, the film gets delayed many times. His assistant director, Mashkoor Chowdhary completed the film. It was realesed in 2000, after his death.
Personal Life
Mazhar Khan was first married to Rubaina, the niece of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, with whom he had a son. Later, he married the renowned actress Zeenat Aman, and the couple had two sons: Azaan Khan and Zahaan Khan.
The media and the public closely followed his relationship with Zeenat Aman, given both their statuses in the Indian film industry. The marriage to Aman started on a happy note but became tumultuous with time. His controlling nature and Aman’s equally but oppositely independent personality slowly create a wide gap between them. There were reports of his substance abuse and his health issues, which made him bitter. Khan battled with a kidney infection that eventually led to renal failure, causing his untimely demise on September 16, 1998.
The end of Khan’s life was a poignant and controversial moment. At the time of his death, there was a reported estrangement between his family and Aman. Even his family did not allow her to attend his funeral.
Mazhar Khan on IMDB
