By: Rizwan Asad & Shaheen Raaj

Kader Khan – Bollywood’s Original Shahenshah of Comedy Left  for His Heavenly Abode

Kader Khan was indeed known for his exceptional comic timing & equally lauded for his writing acumen.

Kader Khan, the veteran Bollywood actor, breathed his last, at the ripe young age of 81, in a hospital in Canada on 31^st Dec, 2018.

Kader Khan had developed breathing issues & the doctors had transferred him from a ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.

Kader Khan’s son Sarfaraz Khan & his daughter-in-law were by his side @ the time of the death when he breathed his last.Prior to Kader Khan’s death when the news of his deteriorating health was reported Amitabh Bachan had tweeted, “Kader Khan, actor & writer of immense talent, lies ill in hospital. Prayers & duas for his well – being & recovery. Saw him perform on stage, welcomed him & his prolific writing for my films, great company, a Libran & many may not know, that he taught Mathematics,” It would be pertinent to note that since the beginning of his career in the year 1973, in the Indian movie industry, popularly referred to as Bollywood, Kader Khan had worked in over 350 movies.

Kader Khan had graduated from Ismail Yusuf College of Bombay University before breaking into the film industry. He was a professor of civil engineering before becoming an actor.

And then it was the Late superstar Rajesh Khanna who had given Kader Khan his 1^st ever big break as a dialogues writer for his film Roti. Thereafter he wrote dialogues for films like Himmatwala, Jaani Dost, Sarfarosh, Justice Chaudhury, Farz Aur Kanoon, Jeo Aur Jeene Do, Tohfa, Qaidi, Haisiyat & many more.

Kader Khan had succeeded very quickly as a passionate writer majorly because he wrote his lines in colloquial language. Not many are aware of the fact that Kader Khan has written books & has also elaborated the ghazals of Mirza Ghalib with more than 100 ghazals in his compilation.

In the year 2013, Kader Khan was awarded the Literary Shiromani Award for his contribution to the films. Kader Khan had also bagged the most prestigious Filmfare’s “Best Dialogues” awards” in the year 1982 & then again in the year 1993. Kader Khan, in fact, was nominated 9 times as “Best Comedian” in the Filmfare Awards. As an actor, Kader Khan received the Filmfare Award in “Best Supporting Role” in the year 1991 & once again as a “Best Supporting Role” in the year 2004.

Time to go down the memory lane to trace the chequered filmic journey & also his personal memoirs. So Kader Khan was born on 22^nd Oct, 1937 & left for his heavenly abode on 31^st Dec, 2018.

Kader Khan was an Afghan born Indian & Canadian film actor, screenwriter, comedian & director. As an actor, Kader Khan had appeared in over 300 films after his debut film in the 1973 film Daag, starring Rajesh Khanna, in which he had acted as a prosecuting attorney. 

Kader Khan was also prolific screenwriter for Bollywood films in 1970’s & even 1980’s. Kader Khan had graduated from Ismail Yusuf College affiliated to Bombay University. Before entering the film industry in early 1970’s, he taught at M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering, Mumbai as a professor of Civil Engineering.

Kader Khan was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. His father was Abdul Rahman Khan from Kandahar while his mother was Iqbal Begum from Pisin, British India (now in Balochistan, Pakistan).
Kader Khan had 3 brothers Shams Ur Rehman, Fazal Rehman & Habib Ur Rehman. He is an ethnic Pashtun of the Kakar tribe.

Kader Khan had enrolled in a local municipal school & later in the Ismail Yusuf College in Jogeshwari, Mumbai after which he obtained a Master’s Diploma in Engineering (MIE) from the Institution Of Engineers (India) specializing in Civil Engineering. Between the year 1970 & the year 1975, he taught at M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering in Byculla as a teacher of civil engineering.

While performing in a play in the Annual Day function of the college, he was noted by actor Dilip Kumar who signed him up for his next film.

Kader Khan used to write plays for theaters & was subsequently offered to write the script of Jawani Diwani. This is how his film career had started.

Kader Khan lived in Santacruz, Mumbai, the home of the Hindi film industry. He also had a family in Netherlands & even Canada. He had 3 sons: Sarfaraz Khan, Shahnawaz Khan & a 3^rd son in Canada. His son Sarfaraz Khan has also acted in several films. He also belongs to the family of Zaine Khan, who also works in the film industry as an actress & a model.

Year’s later Kader Khan had taken the citizenship of Canada. Kader Khan was an Indian Muslim.

Kader Khan had acted in over 300 films in Himd & Urdu & had also written the dialogues for over 250 Indian films, from 1970’s up to the turn of the 21^stcentury. At the insistence of Rajesh Khanna, Producer & Director Manmohan Desai had paid him a handsome amount of one lakh twenty-one thousand for writing the dialogues for the film Roti in the year 1974.

Kader Khan is most popularly recognized for working with actors like Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra,Feroz Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Govinda & in the films directed by Tatineni Rama Rao, K Raghvendra Rao, K Bapaiah, Narayan Rao Dasari, David Dhawan. He had also worked side-by-side with other comedians like Asrani, Shakti Kapoor & Johnny Lever. He had also co-starred with Amrish Puri, Prem Chopra & Anupam Kher in many films.
Kader Khan had enacted a large variety of parts in films like a supporting role of a father, uncle, brother, main villain or the side villain, guest actor & most importantly as a comedian.

Kader Khan had made his debut as an actor with Daag, starring Rajesh Khanna in the main lead role, wherein Kader Khan had played the supporting role as an advocate. He subsequently starred as supporting artiste with small roles in Dil Diwana, Goonj, Umar Qaid, Mukti, Chor Sipahee, Muqaddar Ka Sikander & Mr. Natwarlal. But he got more visibility with roles in films with Rajesh Khanna in lead roles like Mahachor, Chailla Babu, Fiffty Fiffty, Maqsad, Naya Kadam & Nasihat. The period from the year 1982 to the year 2005 is considered to be the peak period of his career as he established his versatility in acting.

Kader Khan had appeared as villain in films like Parvarish, Dhan Dhaulat, Lootmaar, Qurbani, Bulundi, Meri Awaaz Suno, Sanam Teri Kasam, Naseeb & Naukar Biwi Ka between the year 1976 & the year 1982. However it was only from the year 1982, that he gained popularity as villain with success of films with the lead hero being either Jeetendra or Rajesh Khanna & produced by South Indian production houses with the director being either Narayan Rao Dasari or Kovelamudi Bapaiah or K Raghvendra Rao or Rama Rao Tatineni – like Farz Aur Kanoon, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Samraat, Justice Chaudhury, Mawaali, Maqsad, Naya Kadam, Qaidi, Ramkali, Hoshiyar & Swarg Se Sunder.
Kader Khan also started getting lengthy roles as supporting actor after the year 1984 with films like Masterji, Dharm Adhikari, Nasihat, Dosti Dushmani, Ghar Sansaar, Loha, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Insaaf Ki Pukar, Khudgarz, Sherni, Khoon Bhari Maang, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Vardi et al. From the year 1988, there were films written with him in the main lead like Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni, Biwi Ho Toh Aisi, Ghar Ho Toh Aisa, Hum Hai Kamaal Ke, Baap Numbari Beta Dus Numbari etc.

Kader Khan’s 1^st ever attempt at comedy was with Himmatwala & Aaj Ka Daur. He had started doing the main comedy roles from the year 1989onward, with films like Sikka, Kishen Kanhaiya, Hum, Ghar Parivaar, Bol Radha Bol and continued through the 90’s with comedy roles in Aankhen, Taqdeerwala, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dulhe Raja, Coolie No.1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Sooryavamsham, Judaai, Aunty No.1 & Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Raja Babu, Khudaar, Chote Sarkar, Judaai, Aunty No. 1, Gharwali Baharwali, Hero Hindustani, Sirf Tum, Anari No.1. Even in early 2000’s he attempted versatile roles with films like Akhiyon Se Goli Maare, Chalo Ishq Ladaaye, Suno Sasurjee, Yeh Hai Jalwa & Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
Kader Khan had starred in his own comedy television series titled Hasna Mat, which aired on Star Plus in the year 2001. He made a comeback on Indian Television with a comedy series titled Hi! Padosi… Kaun Hai Doshi? on Sahara One.
Kader Khan later on appeared in films like Tevar in the year 2015, Lucky: No Time For Love in the year 2006 & Family: Ties Of Blood in the year 2006.It was Rajesh Khanna who gave him the break as a dialogues writer in his film Roti & thereafter he wrote dialogues for films with Rajesh Khanna in the lead like Mahachor, Chailla Babu, Dharam Kanta, Fiffty Fiffty, Naya Kadam, Masterji & Nasihat. Other successful films for which he has written or assisted in dialogues include films starring Jeetendra like Himmatwala, Jaani Dost, Sarfarosh, Justice Chaudhary, Fsarz Aur Kanoon, Jeo Aur Jeene Don, Tohfa, Qaidi, Haisiyat et al.

As a screenwriter, Kader Khan has worked with Manmohan Desai & Prakash Mehra for their films starring Amitabh Bachchan. Besides Amitabh Bachchan, he was the only one to work in the rival camps of Mehra & Desai. His films with Desai include Dharam Veer, Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, Coolie, Desh Premee, Suhaag, Parvarish & Amar Akbar Anthony, Jwalamukhi, Sharaabi, Lawaaris & Mjuqaddar Ka Sikandar.
Other Amitabh Bachchan films for which he has written dialogues are Mr, Natwrlal, Khoon Paina, Do Aur Dom Paanch, Satte Pe Satta, Inquilab, Geraftaar, Hum & Agnerpath.

Kader Khan has also written screenplays for films starring Amitabh like Agneepath & Naseeb.
In fact Kader Khan was preferred dialogues writer for films produced by Southern Indian production houses between the year 1982 to the year 1995 & Hindi films directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, Narayana Dasari Rao, K. Bapaiah & D. Rama Naidu. He also wrote dialogues in other successful films in the late 1980’s to the late 1990’s like Meri Awaaz Suno, Angaar, Jail Yatra, Satte Pe Satta, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Waqt Ki Awaz, Coolie No 1, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Kanoon Apna Apna, Karma, Sultanat, Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri, Humshakal, Saajan Chale Sasuraal, Hero Hindustani, Aunty No.1 & Rajaji. He also wrote dialogues for films of Rakesh Roshan like Khoon Bhari Mang, Kala Bazaar & Khudgarz.
Kader Khan had been suffering from supranuclear palsy, a degenerative disease. He was hospitalized on 28^th Dec, 2018 complaining of “breathlessness” in Canada, where he stayed with his son & daughter-in-law while seeking treatment. On 31^st Dec, 2018 (Canaian Time), Kader Khan’s son, Sarfaraz Khan, confirmed that Kader Khan had indeed passed away & he was no more.

Awards

2013: Sahitya Shiromani Award for his work & contributions to Hindi Film industry & Cinema.

Filmfare Award Winner

1982: Filmfare Award for “Best Dialogues” for Meri Awaaz Suno1991: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Baap Ek Numbari Beta Dus Numbri 1993: Filmfare Award for “Best Dialogues” for Angaar. 

Filmfare Award Nominee

1984: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Himmatwala 

1986: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Aaj Ka Daur

1990: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Sikka 1992: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Hum 1994: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Aankhen 1995: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Main Khiladi Tu Anari 1996: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Coolie no 1 1997: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Saajan Chale Sasuraal 

1999: Filmfare “Best Comedian” award for Dulhe Raja 

Kader Khan was recognized by the AFMI (American Federation of Muslims from India) for his achievement & service to the Muslim community in India.

The chronological & exhaustive list of Kader Khan films as an actor are Fajr Al Islam, Daag, Gupt Gyan, Sagina, Benaam, Goonj, Dil Diwana, Anari, Noor – E – Ilahi, Zamane Se Pooho, Maha Chor, Adaalat, Bairaag, Hunterwali 77, Khoon Pasina, Chhailla Babu, Mukti, Parvarish, Chor Sipahi, Agar!!,  Atyachaar, Bhola Bhala, Mūqaddar Ka Sikandar, Shalimar, Chowki No 11, Mr. Natwarlal, Suhaag, Zulm Ki Pukar, Room No 203, Dhan Daulat, Do Aur Do Paanch, Lootmaar, Jyoti Bane Jwala, Qurbani, Unees Bees, Be-Rahem, Jwalamukhi, Ganga Aur Suraj, Abdullah, Sadqa Kamli Wale Ka, Kasam Bhawani Ki, Bulundi, Naseeb, Ahista Ahista, Yaarana, Shakka, Shama, Fiffty Fiffty, Gehra Zakham, Meri Aawaaz Suno, Kaalia, Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, Raaz, Satte Pe Satta, Vakil Babu, Teesri Ankh, Desh Premee, Sanam Teri Kasam, Raaj Mahal, Waqt Waqt Ki Baat, Samraat, Pyar Mein Sauda Nahin, Mehndi Rang Layegi, Lakshmi, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Farz Aur Kanoon, Salaam – E – Mohabbat, Mangal Pandey, Himmatwala, Mahaan, Jaani Dost, Woh Jo Haseena, Naukar Biwi Ka, Justice Chaudhary, Mawali, Coolie, Raaste Aur Rishte, Karate, Kaise Kaise Log, Chor Police, Mohabbat Ka Masiha, Meri Adalat, Inquilab, Tohfa, Ghar Ek Mandir, Maqsad, Haisiyat, Gangva, Naya Kadam, John Jani Janardan.  Yaadon Ki Zanjeer, Sharara, Shapath, Qaidi, Mera Faisla, Maya Bazaar, Kanoon Meri Muthi Mein, Kamyab, Jeene Nahi Doonga, Captain Barry, Bad Aur Badnaam, Akalmand, Mera Jawab, Sarfarosh, Tawaif, Ramkali, Mahaguru, Balidaan, Patal Bhairavi, Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi, Masterji, Wafadaar, Bepanah, Geraftaar, Char Maharathi, Lover Boy, Pathar Dil, Hoshiyaar, Ghar Dwaar, Aaj Ka Daur, Dilwaala, Swarg Se Sundar, Locket, Dharam Adhikaari, Muddat, Nasihat, Daku Bijli,  Dosti Dushmani, Suhagan, Singhaasan, Intekaam Ki Aag, Insaaf Ki Aawaz, Ghar Sansaar, Aag Aur Shola, Sachi Ibadat, Imsaaniyat Ke Dushman, Maa Beti, Loha,   Pyar Kar Ke Dekho, Tera Karam Mera Dharam, Majaal, Khudgarz, Sindoor, Hifazat, Himmat Aur Mehnat, Insaf Ki Pukar, Watan Ke Rakhwaale, Naam O Nishan, Jawab Hum Denge, Ghar Ka Sukh, Besahara, Apne Apne, Som Mangal Shani, Geeta Ki Saugandh, Bijlee Aur Toofan, Dariya Dil, Shahenshah, Pyar Ka Mandir, Shukriya, Kasam, Kab Tak Chup Rahungi, Charnon Ki Saugandh, Woh Mili Thi, Sherni, Shoorveer, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Waqt Ki Aawaz, Soorma Bhopali, Khoon Bhari Maang, Biwi Ho Toh Aisi, Ganga Tere Desh Mein, Paigham, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Saazish, Pyar Mohabbat, Mulzim, Mar Mitenge, Intequam, Bhed Bhaav, Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani, Izhaar, Vardi, Gair Kannoni, Bade Ghar Ki Beti, Nishaane Baazi, Billoo Badshah, Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni, Paraya Ghar, Dost, Sikka, Kala Bazaar, Kanoon Apna Apna, Chaalbaz, Tujhe Nahi Chodoonga, Teri Payal Mere Geet, Majboor, Hum Bhi Insaan Hai, Awara Zindagi, Meri Lalkaar, Baap Numbari Beta Dus Numbari, Sher Dil, Apmaan Ki Aag, Shera Shamshera, Shaandaar, Qayamat Ki Raat,  Pyar Ka Karz, Pyar Ka Devta, Muqaddar Ka Badshah, Jawani Zindabad, Kishen Kanhaiyya, Ghar Ho Toh Aisa, Princess From Kathmandu, Hum, Khoon Ka Karz, Karz Chukana Hai, Ramwati, Do Matwale, Naachne Gaanewaale, Swar Yahan Narak Yahan, Indrajeet, Saajan, Yaara Dildaara, Trinetra, Sapnon Ka Mandir, Phoolwati, Ghar Parivar, Ganga Jumuna Ki Lalkaar, Raju Dada, Meri Janeman, Dil Hi Toh Hai, Vansh, Mera Dil Tere Liye, Suryavanshi, Parasmani, Basanti Tangewali, Tyagi, Ganga Bani Shola, Bol Radha Bol, Honeymoon Humhakal, Angaar, Ghar Jamai, Kamsin, Daulat Ki Jung, Umar 55 ki Dil Bachpan Ka, Naagin Aur Lootere, Maa, Kasam, Insaaf Ki Devi, Ganga Ka Vachan, Apaatkaal, Kayda Kanoon, Badi Bahen, Rang, Dil Hai Betaab, Gurudev, Hum Hai Kamaal ke, Dil Tera Aashiq, Aulad Ke Dushman, Dhanwan, Shatranj, Zakhmo Ka Hisaab, Meherban, Jawani Ki Shatranj, Dosti Ki Saugandh, Chahunga Main Tujhe, Aashiq Awara, Ankhen, Rakhwaale, Raja Babu, Prem Shakti, Imsaaf Apne Lahoo Se, Saajan Ka Ghar Pehla Pehla Pyar, Mohabbat Ki Arzoo, Aatish, Eeena Meena Deeka, Aag, Main Khiladi Tu Anadi, Ghar Ki Izzat, Mr. Azaad, Khuddar, Choti Bahoo, Andaz, The Don, Taqdeerwala, Anokha Andaz, Taaqat, Coolie No 1, Hulchul, Oh! Darling Yeh Hai India, Veer, Yaarana, Diya Aur Toofan, Vartmaan, Surakshaa, Jallad, Sindoor Ki Holi, Maahir, Rangbaaz, Sapoot, Chhote Sarkar, Ek Tha Raja, Bhishma, Aatank, Allah Meherban Toh Gadha Pehlwan, Judaai, Judwa, Hero No 1, Benarsi Babu, Zameer, Tarazu, Ek Phool Teen Kaante, Hamesha, Deewana Mastana, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Bhai, Shapath, Sanam, Naseeb, Dadagiri, Maha-Yudh, Aag Aur Tezaab, Jaane Jigar, Aunty no 1, Mard, Gharwaali Baharwaali, Dulhe Raja, Bade Miyaan Chhote Miyaan, Hero Hindustaani, Kudrat, Tirchi Topiwaale, Phhol Bane Pathar, Mere Do Anmol Ratan, Sikandar Sadak Ka, Aa Ab Laut Chalein, Anari No !, Sooryavansham, Rajaji, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Hindustan Ki Kasam, Sanyasi, Mera Naam, Jaanwar, Sirf Tum, Nyaydaata, Dulhan Hum Le Jaayenge, Krodh, Joru Ka Ghulam, Kunwara, Dhadkan, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, Billa No 786, Ittefaq, Dial 100, Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya, Badhaai Ho Badhai, Yeh Hai Jalwa, Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare, Wah! Tera Kya Kehna, Jeena Sirf Mere Liye, Chalo Ishq Ladaye, Sindoor Ki Saugandh, Angar: The Fire, Basti, Parwana, Fun2shh, Kaun Haai Jo Sapnon Mein Aaya, Suno Sasurji, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, Lucky, Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen, Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai, Family, Jigyasa, Umar, Undertrail, Jahan Jayeega Hume Payeega, Mehbooba, Deshdrohi, Desh Pardesh, Deewana Main Deewana, Dil Bhi Khaali Jeb Bhi Khaali, Ungli, Lateef, Ho Gaya Dimaag Ka Dahi, Aman Ke Farishtey & Masti Nahi Sasti,

Kader Khan had Produced only 1 film titled Shama

Kader Khan’s films as a Screenwriter are Jawani Diwaani, Benaam, Roti, Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Mukkadar Ka Sikandar, Suhag, Mr. Natwarlal, Yaarana, Deah Premee, Lawaris, Khuddar, Coolie, Kamyab, Maqsad, Qaidi, Sharaabi, Hoshiyaar, Balidaan, Singhaasan, Hatya, Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, Khoon Bhari Maang, Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni, Honeymoon, Diya Aur Toofan, Bhai & Aunty No 1.