Amjad Khan Indian actor and director Date of Birth: 12.11.1940 Country: India

Biography of Amjad Khan

Amjad Khan was a renowned Indian actor and director who appeared in 161 films over the course of his nearly 20-year career in the film industry. He gained particular popularity for his portrayal of villains in Hindi films, with his role as the ruthless bandit Gabbar Singh in the action film 'Sholay' (1975) bringing him widespread fame.

Amjad Khan was born on November 12, 1940, in Hyderabad, a famous city in southern India, into a Muslim family. His father was the legendary Indian actor Jayant, and his brothers Imtiaz Khan and Inayat Khan also tried their hand at acting. Imtiaz appeared in 12 films, while Inayat only appeared in one.

In 1957, a young Amjad played a small role as a teenage artist in the drama film 'Ab Dili Dur Nahin'. However, he did not appear on the big screen again until 16 years later, in 1973. He completed his schooling at St Theresa's High School in Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai, and then attended R.D. National College, where he was elected as the General Secretary of the student community. He had already established a reputation as someone both feared and respected.

Before entering the film industry, Amjad Khan was a theatre actor. In the late 1960s, he worked on the film 'Love and God' directed by K. Asif and played a minor role as a servant. This film is considered his official debut, although Asif passed away in 1971 and the film remained unfinished until its release in 1986.

In 1973, Khan got his next role in the war drama 'Hindustan Ki Kasam'. In 1975, he was offered the role of the bandit Gabbar Singh in the film 'Sholay'. To prepare for his role, Amjad read various materials about the lives of real bandits. 'Sholay' made Khan's name known throughout the country. According to many critics, his portrayal of Gabbar Singh was a unique embodiment of pure evil in Indian cinema, a character completely devoid of humanity. His mannerisms and dramatic dialogues became an integral part of Bollywood's style and inspired numerous imitations and parodies. 'Sholay' became a blockbuster and the highest-grossing Indian film. Despite having superstars like Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in the cast, audiences flocked to the film to see Gabbar Singh and rejoiced when he received his deserved retribution, as sympathizing with the villain was impossible. Even after 35 years, audiences remember his lines.

Amjad later appeared in a biscuit commercial, portraying his famous character, which was the first instance of a villainous character being used to promote a popular product. The overwhelming success of 'Sholay' led to numerous other offers, and Khan worked tirelessly for the next 19 years. He often played the antagonist against Amitabh Bachchan's protagonist. In the early 1980s, he directed two films and also served as a producer.

A natural leader, Khan headed the Cine Artists' Association and often resolved disputes between actors on one side and directors and producers on the other. In 1972, Amjad married Sheila Khan, and the following year, she gave birth to their first child, Shadaab Khan, who later appeared in several films. They were blessed with a daughter, Ahlam Khan, and a second son, Seemaab Khan.

In 1976, Amjad was involved in a car accident on the Bombay-Goa highway, which nearly cost him his life. He was driving and crashed into a tree while trying to avoid a large rock. The medications used for his treatment caused significant weight problems that persisted until the end of his life.

Amjad Khan passed away on July 27, 1992, at the age of 51, due to heart failure. Some of the films he had completed before his death were released posthumously and continued to be released until 1996. His funeral procession took place from his home in Pali Hill to the Muslim cemetery in the eastern part of Bandra. All the major stars of the Indian film industry at that time attended the funeral, walking alongside other participants through the narrow streets of Bandra.