Amjad Khan was an Indian actor. He was born on 12 November 1940 in Peshawar, British India. He died on 27 July 1992 in Mumbai. He did his schooling from St Andrews High School, Bandra, Bombay. He pursued a graduate degree from RD National University, Mumbai. 

His father, Jayant Khan was an actor. His mother, Quamran Sulta was a homemaker. He had two brothers, Imtiaz Khan and Inayat Khan. 

He was married to Shaila Khan. 

Amjad Khan’s favourites

His hobbies were car driving, listening to music, and playing badminton. 

His favourite music composer was RD Burman. 

His favourite actors were Amitabh Bachchan, Amrish Puri, and Madhubala. 

His favourite singers were RD Burman and Kishore Kumar. 

Interesting facts about Amjad Khan

Amjad Khan was most popular for his role as ‘Gabbar’ in the blockbuster hit film ‘Sholay.’

Before making a mark in the film industry, Amjad Khan worked as a theatre artist. 

In the year 1951, Amjad Khan made an appearance as a child actor in the Hindi film ‘Nazneen.’ He played several roles along with his father Jayant. 

During his college days, Amjad Khan was the secretary of the student union. 

Amjad Khan worked as an assistant director in the 1968 film ‘Love and God.’

In the year 1973, Amjad Khan made his debut in the Hindi film ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’ in a lead role. 

Amjad Khan’s iconic role of Gabbar Singh

In 1975, Amjad Khan was offered the significant role of ‘Gabbar Singh’ in the film ‘Sholay.’ Screenwriter Javed Akhtar objected to his selection for the role due to his heavy voice; however, Salim Khan, one of the writers, insisted to offer Amjad Khan the role underscoring his exceptional acting skills. 

Amjad Khan was 35 years old when he played one of the most iconic roles of ‘Gabbar Singh’ in Hindi cinema.

To adapt to his role well, Amjad Khan read the book ‘Abhishapt Chambal’ written by Tarun Kumar Bhaduri. The book was a documentation on the lives of dacoits in Chambal.

After the success of the film, Amjad Khan gained immense recognition for his acting skills. 

Some of Amjad Khan’s popular dialogues from films are ‘Kitne aadmi the?’, ‘Ab tera kya hoga kalia?’, ‘Holi kab hai, kab hai Holi?’, ‘Jo dar gaya, samjho mar gaya’, and ‘ye haath ham ko de de thakur’.

Amjad Khan’s other popular roles

Amjad Khan played various negative roles in Hindi films in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. 

He was seen in the role of ‘Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’ of Awadh in the 1977 film ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi.’

In the year 1988, Amjad Khan played the role of an underworld don in the English film ‘The Perfect Murder.’

Amjad Khan served as the President of Actors Guild Association. 

Amjad Khan’s awards

In the year 1980, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Hindi film ‘Dada.’

In 1986, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for the films ‘Maa Kasam.’

Amjad Khan was a father to three children Shadaab Khan, Ahlam Khan, and Seemab Khan.

On 27 July 1992, Amjad Khan died after suffering from a heart attack. 

Amjad Khan’s filmography

Amjad Khan’s popular films are Kasme Vaade (1978), Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981), Daulat (1982), Muqaddar (1978), Himmatwala (1983), Rocky (1981), Dharam Kanta (1982), Hum Se Hai Zamana (1983), Parvarish (1977), Samrat (1982), Suhaag (1979), Mr Natwarlal (1979), Laawaris (1981), Satte Pe Satta (1982), and many more.