Veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav broke down in tears on 30 September 2026 while paying tribute to his long-time friend and fellow actor Mushtaq Khan at a prayer meet held in Mumbai. The emotional gathering drew several members of the Hindi film industry, who came together to honour Khan, who passed away on 24 September 2026 after battling cancer and was laid to rest in Mumbai the following day.

A Bond That Went Beyond the Sets

A visibly grief-stricken Srivastav struggled to hold back tears as he recalled his decades-long association with Khan. Speaking at the prayer meet, Srivastav said, 'We worked together for so many years. There was such a family relationship between us. That is why my wife has also come. We would also eat and spend time together, he was like family. Now, he has gone very far. He has left us very soon.'

The words captured the depth of a friendship that extended well beyond professional collaborations — one rooted in shared meals, shared sets, and what Srivastav described as an almost familial closeness.

Decades of Collaboration on Screen and Television

Srivastav and Khan shared screen space across numerous projects spanning four decades. Their joint film credits include Sazaye Maut (1981), Chamatkar (1992), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Jazbaat (1994), and Ek Aur Visphot (2002). Both actors were also part of the original and iconic television series Wagle Ki Duniya, where Srivastav played the beloved Srinivas Wagle and Khan appeared as Manohar.

Who Was Mushtaq Khan

Mushtaq Khan was one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable supporting and comic actors, with a career spanning several decades. He featured in films including Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, Hera Pheri, Jodi No. 1, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, and Welcome. His portrayal of Ballu — a disabled hockey player — in Welcome earned him particular affection from audiences.

Aanjjan Srivastav: A Career Defined by the Common Man

Born on 2 June 1948, Srivastav, now 78, has built a career across Hindi cinema, television, and theatre spanning multiple decades. His portrayal of the quintessential middle-class everyman in Wagle Ki Duniya made him a household name. He later reprised the role in Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey. His film credits include Gol Maal, Salaam Bombay!, Mississippi Masala, Khuda Gawah, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Pukar, Chak De! India, and Yuvvraaj, among many others.

The prayer meet underscored the void left in the industry by Khan's passing, with the warmth and grief of those present speaking to a career that touched generations of Hindi cinema audiences.