Raza Murad pays tribute to father Murad on his 115th birth anniversary
Synopsis
On what would have been his father's 115th birthday, Raza Murad shared a rare childhood photograph of himself in the arms of veteran actor Murad — a quietly moving tribute to a man who appeared in over 200 films, from Do Bigha Zamin to Mughal-E-Azam, and raised his family singlehandedly as their sole breadwinner.
Key Takeaways
Raza Murad posted an emotional tribute on 24 September 2026 , marking what would have been his father Murad's 115th birth anniversary .
Veteran actor Murad , born Hamid Ali Khan Murad on 24 September 1911 , appeared in over 200 Hindi films across three decades.
His debut was in Mehboob Khan's Najma in 1943 ; iconic roles include Do Bigha Zamin , Mughal-E-Azam , and Devdas .
He also appeared in the Hollywood production Tarzan Goes to India ( 1962 ), playing a maharaja.
Murad passed away in Mumbai in April 1997 .
Raza Murad followed his father's path, building a long career in Hindi cinema known for his baritone and antagonist roles.
Actor Raza Murad on Thursday, 24 September 2026, paid a heartfelt tribute to his father and veteran Hindi cinema actor Murad, marking what would have been the legendary character actor's 115th birth anniversary. Sharing a rare childhood photograph on social media, Raza reflected on the sacrifices his father made and the enduring legacy he left behind.
The Post That Moved Fans
In the black-and-white image, a young Raza can be seen cradled in his father's arms, with the elder actor dressed in a suit and smiling warmly at the camera. Alongside the photograph, Raza shared an emotional note that read: 'Today is the 115th birthday anniversary of my father, Mr Murad (24th September 1911). The toddler in his arms is your friend. Raza Murad. Whatever I am today is because of his efforts and blessings, he struggled a lot for the upbringing of our family, singlehandedly, as he was the only breadwinner. He will always be missed by our entire family and his millions of fans, as he was a renowned actor of 40's, 50's and 60's. Godless his noble departed soul. Aameen.'
Who Was Murad: A Career Spanning Three Decades
Born Hamid Ali Khan Murad on 24 September 1911, Murad was one of Hindi cinema's most dependable and prolific character actors. He made his screen debut in Mehboob Khan's Najma in 1943 and went on to appear in more than 200 films, according to biographical records. Over a career spanning three decades, he inhabited a wide spectrum of supporting roles — fathers, judges, police officers, landlords, kings, and other authority figures — bringing each to life with quiet authority.
His filmography reads like a roll call of Hindi cinema's golden era: Anmol Ghadi (1946), Andaz (1949), Aan (1952), Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Devdas (1955), Yahudi (1958), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Taj Mahal (1963), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), and Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978). Notably, he also crossed into international productions, playing a maharaja in the Hollywood film Tarzan Goes to India in 1962.
Iconic Performances That Defined His Legacy
Among his most remembered roles is the menacing landlord Thakur Harnam Singh in Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin, a portrayal widely cited as a landmark in Indian parallel cinema. In Devdas, he brought gravity to the role of Devdas's father, while in K. Asif's epic Mughal-E-Azam, he portrayed Raja Man Singh. The actor passed away in Mumbai in April 1997, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be studied and celebrated.
Raza Murad: Carrying the Family Legacy Forward
Raza Murad followed his father into the Hindi film industry and carved out his own distinguished career, becoming particularly recognised for his deep baritone and commanding screen presence in supporting and antagonist roles. His credits include Namak Haraam, Prem Rog, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Khud-Daar, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Pyar Ka Mandir, Aankhen, Mohra, and Gupt: The Hidden Truth. Thursday's tribute is a reminder that the Murad family's contribution to Hindi cinema spans generations and continues to resonate with audiences old and new.
Point of View
But Raza Murad's post stands out for what it quietly underscores: the economic precarity that defined cinema families of the 1940s and 50s, where a single breadwinner carried an entire household. Murad's 200-film career was not just artistic output — it was survival labour. That context, rarely surfaced in nostalgia posts, gives this tribute more weight than the usual ceremonial remembrance. It is also a reminder that Hindi cinema's golden era was built on the backs of character actors whose contributions are still underarchived compared to the leading stars they supported.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was veteran actor Murad?
Murad, born Hamid Ali Khan Murad on 24 September 1911, was a prominent Hindi cinema character actor who appeared in over 200 films from the 1940s to the 1970s. He is best remembered for roles in Do Bigha Zamin, Mughal-E-Azam, and Devdas, and passed away in Mumbai in April 1997.
Why did Raza Murad share a post on 24 September 2026?
Raza Murad shared the post to mark the 115th birth anniversary of his father, veteran actor Murad, who was born on 24 September 1911. The post included a rare childhood photograph and an emotional note about the sacrifices his father made for their family.
What are some of Murad's most notable films?
Murad's notable films include Anmol Ghadi (1946), Andaz (1949), Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Devdas (1955), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), and Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). He also appeared in the Hollywood production Tarzan Goes to India (1962), playing a maharaja.
How did Raza Murad describe his father in the tribute post?
Raza wrote that his father 'struggled a lot for the upbringing of our family, singlehandedly, as he was the only breadwinner,' and credited everything he has achieved to his father's efforts and blessings. He described Murad as 'a renowned actor of the 40's, 50's and 60's' who will be missed by the family and his millions of fans.
What is Raza Murad known for in Hindi cinema?
Raza Murad is known for his distinctive baritone and his work in supporting and antagonist roles across several decades of Hindi cinema. His notable films include Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Mohra, Aankhen, and Gupt: The Hidden Truth.
