Kader Khan (22 October 1937 – 31 December 2018) was an Indian film actor, screenwriter, dialogue writer and producer, best known for his extensive work in Hindi‑language cinema from the early 1970s through the 2010s. Over his career he appeared in more than 300 films and contributed to the dialogues of over 150 movies.
Early life and education
Khan was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, to a Muslim Pashtun family. In 1947 his family migrated to India, settling in Bombay (now Mumbai). He completed his schooling in Bombay and earned a Master’s degree in civil engineering from Aligarh Muslim University. Prior to entering the film industry, Khan worked as a civil engineer for the Indian government.
Entry into cinema
Kader Khan began his film career as a dialogue writer. His first credited work was for the 1972 film Jawani Diwani. He subsequently wrote dialogues for a series of successful films, including Roti (1974), Mere Apne (1971), and Daag: A Poem of Love (1973). His sharp, witty, and colloquial dialogue style became a hallmark of commercial Hindi cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.
Acting career
Khan’s on‑screen debut as an actor occurred with the 1973 film Daag. He quickly became a popular supporting and character actor, known for both comedic and antagonist roles. Notable performances include:
- Sholay (1975) – as a comedic side‑character in a cameo
- Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) – as a supporting comic role
- Coolie (1983) – as a villainous figure
- Maqsad (1984) – as both writer and actor, earning a Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue
- Meri Jung (1985) – acclaimed for both dialogue writing and acting; won a second Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue
- Karan Arjun (1995), Aankhen (1993), Judwaa (1997), and Welcome (2007) – among numerous later commercial hits
He frequently collaborated with leading actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt, and Govinda, and with directors including Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra, and David Dhawan.
Screenwriting and dialogue work
As a dialogue writer, Khan contributed to the scripts of iconic films such as Sharaabi (1984), Saagar (1985), Khalnayak (1993), Deewana (1992), and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). His ability to blend humor with everyday speech patterns helped shape the tone of mainstream Bollywood cinema during its most commercially successful period.
Awards and honors
- Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue – Maqsad (1984)
- Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue – Meri Jung (1985)
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Various industry bodies (including the Punjabi International Film Academy Awards, 2014)
Personal life
Kader Khan was married to Azra Khan; the couple had three children: two sons, Sarfaraz Khan and Shahnawaz Khan, and a daughter, Dilshad Khan. The family maintained residences in Mumbai and Toronto, Canada.
Later years and death
In the 2000s, Khan reduced his acting workload, appearing mainly in cameo roles and supporting parts. He spent considerable time in Canada, where his children lived. On 31 December 2018, Kader Khan died of a prolonged heart ailment in Toronto at the age of 81. His death was widely reported in Indian and international media, and he was eulogized for his contributions to Hindi cinema as both a writer and performer.
