Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his supporting roles in films such as Welcomedied at the age of 56 at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital after a prolonged battle with cancer.
His funeral prayers were held at the Yari Road Cemetery on Friday, where family members, friends and members of the film fraternity gathered to bid him a final farewell. His mortal remains were kept at his residence from 10 am to 12 pm, allowing relatives, friends and well-wishers to pay their last respects before the funeral.
Only a handful of celebrities from the film industry attended Mushtaq Khan’s funeral. Actor Rajat Bedi, who had worked with Mushtaq in films including Jodi No. 1 (2001), Kaaboo (2002) and Dhamkee (2005), was present at the last rites.
Chanakya actor Manish Wadhwa and comedian Ahsaan Qureshi were also seen at Mushtaq Khan’s residence. Television actors Sharad Malhotra and Shahbaz Khan, along with Sulabha Arya and Anang Desai, also attended.
Mushtaq had shared screen space with Sulabha Arya in films such as Hera Pheri (2000) and Aadmi (1993), while he had also worked with Anang Desai across several projects over the years.
Actors Sanjay Mishra, Rajpal Yadav and actor-singer Talat Aziz were among the other members of the industry who came to pay their final respects.
However, several prominent actors who had worked with Mushtaq, including Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal, were not seen at the funeral.
Celebrities pay tribute to Mushtaq Khan
While only a few members of the film fraternity attended the funeral, several celebrities expressed their grief and paid tribute to Mushtaq Khan on social media.
Actor Sunny Deol remembered him as a “nice human being” and “a fine actor”. He wrote, “Sad to hear about Mushtaq Khan. He was a nice human being and a fine actor. Have fond memories of him. My condolences to his family. May they find strength in this difficult hour.”
Anupam Kher also shared a video remembering his former co-star. Recalling the time they worked together in several films, he said, “There was a time when we worked together on a lot of films – Mahesh Bhatt’s films, Satish Kaushik’s films, and many others. Then we walked on our own paths. But I will always remember the days I spent with him.”
Calling Mushtaq a simple man with a great sense of humour, Anupam Kher added, “I have never seen him angry.”
Anupam Kher also spoke about Mushtaq’s son Mohsin and said he had recently spoken to him. He expressed confidence that Mohsin had taken good care of his father during his illness and offered his condolences to the family.
Suniel Shetty also remembered Mushtaq, writing, “This one hurts. Some people leave behind memories that will always make you smile. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Rest in peace.”
Paresh Rawal wrote, “Mushtaq Khan. Loving human being and an exciting actor. REST IN PEACE.”
Rakul Preet Singh shared a tribute on her Instagram Stories, calling Mushtaq a “versatile actor” and “a beloved soul” whose warmth, humour and presence would be deeply missed.
Actor Ravi Kishan also expressed his grief, writing, “Will miss u Mushtaq bhai… 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.”
Raza Murad slams Bollywood stars for skipping Mushtaq Khan’s funeral: ‘Would serve as waiters at industrialist’s son’s wedding’
Raza expressed disappointment that no major Bollywood star was present. “The sad thing is that at such a moment any star, whom we call a star, did not come to offer his last salaam. Whereas many of his colleagues, actors, all came.” (The sad thing is that on such an occasion, no star, whom we call a star, came to offer his final salute.
While many of his colleagues and fellow actors came) Raza then made a sharp comparison, saying that Bollywood stars would readily attend lavish celebrations involving influential people. “Haan, if there was a wedding of an industrialist's son, these stars would not only attend the wedding, but would also act as waiters to the guests.” (Yes, if the son of an industrialist were getting married, these stars would not only attend, but would also serve the guests like waiters.) “When any political party shows its lathi, it reaches there like a cowed bill. But did not attend the funeral of the man who gave 50 years of his life to the film industry. And you gave him 50. “Don't waste even a minute.” (Or when a political party shows its power, they reach there like a meek cat. But they did not attend the funeral of the person who gave 50 years of his life, his entire life, to this film industry And you could not even take out 50 minutes for him) He reminded the film fraternity that fame and success are temporary and that a person's conduct and deeds are what ultimately matter. “Forget this thought that today you have this bright face, tomorrow it will also die. Tomorrow it will drown in this world. If anything will help you, then your good behavior will help you, your actions will help. And nothing else will help.” (Do not forget that today your face is shining, but tomorrow it too will die. Tomorrow it will sink into darkness. If anything will be of use to you, it will be your good behavior and your deeds. Nothing else will matter).
Praising Mushtaq Khan, Raza said the actor had built his own identity through his work and had never relied on flattery or misleading others to make his way in the industry. “Mushtaq Khan made a very big name for himself. He never misled anyone, never flattered anyone. He reached here only on the back of his own hands.” (Mushtaq Khan made a very big name for himself. He never misled anyone, nor did he flatter anyone.
He reached this point solely on the strength of his work.) (He never needed you in his life, nor will he need you after his life.) He also expressed regret that several prominent stars who had worked with Khan did not come to pay their final respects. “Yes, it is definitely a matter of regret for all of us that there is no such star with whom Mushtaq Khan has not worked, and he did not even come to salute him for a few moments.” (Yes, it is certainly a matter of regret for all of us that there is hardly any star with whom Mushtaq Khan had not worked, yet they did not come even for a few moments to salute him.)
Raza concluded by reminding everyone that fame, wealth and status do not last forever. “Remember one thing, this fame, this wealth, this prestige does not last forever. The rise of fame is also a show of a moment. The branch on which you are sitting can also be broken. Remember that.” (Remember one thing: this fame, this wealth and this honor do not last forever. The height of fame is also a spectacle of a moment. The branch on which you are sitting can also break. Remember this.)
Who was Mushtaq Khan?
Born in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, Mushtaq Khan worked extensively across Hindi films and television during his career. He became a familiar face through his supporting roles and was particularly remembered for playing a disabled hockey player in Welcome (2007).
His filmography included several popular movies such as Aashiqui (1990), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Hera Pheri (2000), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Will you marry me? (2004), Khiladi 786 (2012), Street (2018), Badhaai Do (2022), Bridge 2 (2023), Street 2 (2024) and Baby John (2024).
With a career spanning decades, Mushtaq Khan remained a recognisable supporting actor who worked across comedy, drama and character-driven roles. His death has prompted tributes from several actors and filmmakers who remembered him for his versatility, warmth and sense of humour.