Amjad Khan
Today is the 82nd birth Anniversary of Amjad Khan.
Another brilliant actor lost early.
He was not even 52 when he passed in 1992.
Son of actor Jayant ( Zakaria Khan)
Amjad started as a child actor in films like Ab Dilli Door Nahin.
His first adult appearance being as a Pakistani Pilot in Chetan Anands Hindustan Ki Kasam.
However his passport to fame was his immortal role as Gabbar Singh in SHOLAY.
In fact he was almost an unknown face in the caravan of stars when the film started substituting Danny
But he carved a niche for himself and Gabbar remains his most memorable role.
Sholay was followed by Charas
where he played the Sauve Robert.
Amjad suffered a serious accident in 1976. The drugs administered to him caused a lifelong weight issue for the actor.But he was an actor who was blessed with the kind of talent which could tide over the most threatening circumstances and overcome.
He became so popular in demand that he did ,11 movies in 1977.
Which include three Super hits
Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, Parvarish and Inkaar.
He also acted in Satyajit Ray's
Shatranj Ke Khiladi written by Munshi Premchand as a Nawab whose kingdom was under siege from the British colonial rulers.
Khan’s incomparable diction, which he meticulously practiced, mannerisms and adaptation got him many roles as the villain. However he did get different roles ( Comic and Emotional both ) which helped him to be versatile.
His comic touch was so evident in films like Qurbani and Love story.
He even played characters which were stronger and more popular than the heroes of films, especially films like Dada, Commander and Pyaara Dushman.
He had a successful pairing with Amitabh Bachchan with whom he did 18 films almost all of them being hits.
Amjad Khan was one actor who could switch on to play nine different characters in nine different films shot in just one day.
He was only interested in giving the people the kind of enlightening entertainment of which he was an expert par excellence.
He never went after awards and recognition and won just three Filmfare awards for Dada, Yaarana and Maa kasam where as he had done many better roles earlier.
He briefly ventured into direction too
This first Adhura Aadmi was completed but not released and he produced and directed a couple of movies — Chor Police (1983) and Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi (1985).
Both films were mauled by the censor board for flimsy reasons and that affected their continuity and presentation.
Amjad Khan was a very bitter man after both his films flopped at the box -office and was never the same man again.
To add to his woes a film he planned with Amitabh Bachchan
Lambai Chaudai was shelved due to Amitabh Bachchan's sudden Hiatus.
The last role he played was that of an old Maharaja lying on his death bed in an art film called Rudaali.
(Some delayed films were however released after his death like Soutela Bhai, Aatank and Do Funtoosh where his brother Imtiaz dubbed for him).
He came, He conquered and He left.
Will miss him and his unique mannerisms always..like
'Hello Hello ji "in Chor Police
'Ludka Ludki" in Love Story
' I Like it ' in Qurbani &
Many more
Above all his dialogues from Sholay remain etched in our hearts for ever.
Please do add any anecdotes and Trivia.
Bibliography: Remembering Amjad Khan by Ali Peter
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