Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, whose comic timing and supporting roles made him a beloved face across decades of Hindi cinema, passed away in Mumbai on 24 September 2026 at the age of 56. Known for memorable parts in films including Welcome, Hera Pheri, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, and the Gadar franchise, Khan's death triggered an outpouring of grief from across the Hindi film fraternity.

Tributes from the fraternity

Actor Rajpal Yadav, who had visited Khan just hours before his passing, shared a deeply personal tribute. 'This afternoon, I went to meet Mushtaq Bhai. I spoke to him, he saw me, shook hands with me, and was listening and reacting to everything we were talking about. I still cannot believe that the person I met and shook hands with just two hours ago is no longer with us. We all bow before the decision of the Almighty. Mushtaq Bhai was, is and will always remain a popular person and actor. With a deeply saddened heart, I offer you my heartfelt tribute,' he wrote.

Actor Sanjay Mishra offered an emotional farewell, writing: 'Mushtaq Bhai, we have always held your finger and learnt so much from you. And today, Mohsin's father has left us. Let us meet again in that world, where may you remain peaceful and happy.'

Director Anil Sharma, who worked with Khan across several films, wrote: 'How many moments we spent together, how many films we did together… uff, Mushtaq Bhai has left us so soon. Sad to hear about him. May God grant peace to his soul and give his family the strength to bear this immense loss.'

Veteran actor Raza Murad paid tribute, writing: 'We have lost a friend, we have lost a gem of a person. We have lost a versatile actor with unlimited range. We have lost a harmless, awfully nice human being. God bless his noble departed soul. Aameen.'

A career spanning over four decades

Khan began his film journey with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai in 1980, going on to accumulate a filmography that spanned more than three decades and over two dozen notable releases. Early milestones included Aashiqui (1990), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993). He further appeared in Krantiveer (1994), Raja (1995), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Hera Pheri (2000), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), and Welcome (2007).

In his later years, Khan remained active in prominent commercial productions, appearing in Wanted (2009), Oh My God! (2012), Rowdy Rathore (2012), Khiladi 786 (2012), Welcome Back (2015), Stree (2018), Badhaai Do (2022), Gadar 2 (2023), and Stree 2 (2024). His presence in the Stree universe — one of Hindi cinema's most successful horror-comedy franchises — underlined his continued relevance with younger audiences right up to the end.

The role that defined him for a generation

Among his many performances, Khan's portrayal of Ballu in Welcome (2007) stood out for its comic precision. Playing a member of Uday Shetty's gang and a self-proclaimed hockey player with a prosthetic leg, his line — 'Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bahot bada khiladi tha' — became one of the most recalled comic moments in mainstream Bollywood of that era. He was equally remembered as Gul Khan in both Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Gadar 2, demonstrating his ability to hold ground alongside the film's ensemble leads.

What his passing means for Hindi cinema

Khan's death at 56 comes as a sobering reminder of how quickly the supporting generation of Hindi cinema — actors who quietly anchored some of the biggest blockbusters without ever topping the billing — can be lost. This is the second notable passing of a beloved character actor from the 1990s-2000s Bollywood era in recent months. His contributions to the comic-supporting tradition of Hindi films, from the ensemble casts of the Welcome series to the franchise world of Gadar and Stree, leave a gap that will be felt in productions to come.