Mushtaq Khan, 'Welcome' and 'Stree 2' actor, dies at 56 in Mumbai
Synopsis
Mushtaq Khan — the character actor who played Gul Khan in 'Gadar', brought laughs in 'Welcome', and appeared in 'Stree 2' as recently as 2024 — died at 56 in Mumbai on 24 September. His passing closes a career that quietly underpinned some of Hindi cinema's biggest moments across four decades.
Key Takeaways
Veteran Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan passed away on 24 September 2026 at age 56 in Mumbai .
He was admitted to Nanavati Hospital after a sharp decline in health; death reportedly occurred on Thursday evening.
He was reportedly suffering from cancer , though an official cause of death was not confirmed.
Best known as Gul Khan in 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' and its 2023 sequel, and for roles in 'Welcome' , 'Hera Pheri' , and 'Stree 2' .
His screen debut came in 1980 with 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai' , spanning a career of over 40 years .
Comedian Sunil Pal was among the first industry voices to publicly pay tribute on social media.
Veteran Bollywood character actor Mushtaq Khan passed away on 24 September 2026 at the age of 56, leaving behind a filmography that spanned more than four decades and touched some of Hindi cinema's most beloved titles. He had been admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai following a significant deterioration in his health and reportedly breathed his last on Thursday evening. An official statement from his family was still awaited at the time of writing.
Health and Circumstances of Death
According to reports, Mushtaq Khan had been battling cancer, though the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed. He was rushed to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai after his condition worsened sharply. The veteran actor's passing drew tributes from within the industry; comedian Sunil Pal shared a photograph on his Instagram Stories with the message, 'RIP Mushtaq Khan sahab.'
A Career That Began in 1980
Mushtaq Khan made his screen debut in 1980 with the critically regarded drama 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai'. In the years that followed, he built a steady presence in Hindi cinema through films such as 'Thodisi Bewafaii' (1980), 'Kaalia' (1981), and 'Kabzaa' (1988). His career truly found momentum in the 1990s and 2000s, when he became a recognisable face in mainstream Bollywood.
Defining Roles Across Four Decades
Over the decades, Mushtaq Khan appeared in an impressive range of titles — from 'Aashiqui' (1990) and 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin' (1991) to 'Hera Pheri' (2000), 'Welcome' (2007), and 'Rowdy Rathore' (2012). He is perhaps best remembered by mass audiences for his role as Gul Khan in Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel's blockbuster 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', a character he reprised in 'Gadar 2' (2023), released nearly two decades after the original. His recent credits include 'Stree 2' (2024) and 'Baby John' (2024), confirming his active presence in contemporary cinema until very recently.
Television Work and Legacy
Beyond film, Mushtaq Khan was also recognised on television, playing Baldev Tripathi in the popular series 'Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi' and featuring in the legal drama 'Adaalat'. His career exemplified the quiet indispensability of character actors in Bollywood — rarely the lead, but almost always the presence that grounded a scene. The industry mourns the loss of a performer whose work stretched from the parallel cinema of the 1980s to the blockbuster franchises of the 2020s.
Point of View
Screen credit, and institutional recognition of character actors rarely follows. It should.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mushtaq Khan die?
Mushtaq Khan passed away on 24 September 2026 at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai after a significant decline in his health. According to reports, he was suffering from cancer, though his family had not issued an official statement confirming the cause of death at the time of reporting.
How old was Mushtaq Khan when he died?
Mushtaq Khan was 56 years old at the time of his death on 24 September 2026.
What are Mushtaq Khan's most famous films?
Mushtaq Khan is best remembered for his role as Gul Khan in 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' and its 2023 sequel 'Gadar 2'. Other notable credits include 'Welcome' (2007), 'Hera Pheri' (2000), 'Stree 2' (2024), 'Rowdy Rathore' (2012), and 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin' (1991).
When did Mushtaq Khan begin his acting career?
Mushtaq Khan made his film debut in 1980 with the drama 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai'. He went on to appear in films through the 1980s before gaining wide recognition in the 1990s and 2000s.
Was Mushtaq Khan active in recent projects?
Yes, Mushtaq Khan remained active in cinema until very recently. His most recent credits include 'Stree 2' (2024), 'Baby John' (2024), and 'Luv Ki Arrange Marriage' (2024), demonstrating his continued presence in mainstream Bollywood.
