Amjad Khan

Amjad Khan Biography

Amjad Khan can be addressed as the ‘Bad boy’ of Bollywood. Through the negative roles he played in Sholay, Kalia and Muquaddar ka sikander, he gave new definitions to villains of Bollywood. He was not only a villain, but also has proved his versatility in comic roles and supporting roles as well. Though he was known as the villain of Amitabh Bachchan, he had told the friendship story through the blockbuster Yaarana. The relationship between father and son was portrayed in Laawaris as well. He and his Sholay will always be remembered as the most powerful performance in villain role. Though the movie was filled with great artists like Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Jaya Badhuri, it was the villain Gabbar who stole the real show. Perhaps it was for the first time that villain attained stardom through the movie, than the leading actors of the movie. Later in many movies, villains have tried to imitate Gabbar of Sholay.

Amjad Khan was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan the son of legendary actor Jayant. His brothers - Imtiaz Khan and Inayat Khan have acted in a single film. Amjad Khan began his film journey as a child artist through the movie Nazneen (1951). He was only 17 when he acted in Ab dilli door nahin (1957). In 1973 he made his debut as an adult in Hindustan Ki Kasam. In 1975 he was offered the role of dacoit Gabbar Singh for the film Sholay. Actor Danny Denzongpa was the first choice to play Gabbar but backed out as he was shooting Feroz Khan's Dharmatma in Afghanistan. Thus Sholay changed the destiny of Amjad Khan forever. His portrayal of Gabbar Singh is regarded as the first depiction of pure evil on the screen in Indian Cinema. In 1991, he reprised his role as Gabbar Singh in Ramgarh Ke Sholay, a parody of the same movie that included look-alikes of Dev Anand and Amitabh Bachchan. Sholay helped Amjat Khan to earn a Filmfare nomination in supporting role.

His major hits are Sholay, Muquaddar ka sikander, Yarana, Kalia, Ulsav, Qurbani, Chameli ki shadi, Lawaris, Shatranj ke khiladi, Parvarish, Aakri goli, Lekin, Bade dilwale, Chakkar pe chakkar, Kasme vade, Des pardes, Ganga ki saugandh, Ram balram, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, Rocky, Sathe pe satha and Hum kise se kum nahin. His son – Shadaab Khan has worked for a few movies. He was the hero opposite Rani Mukherjee in her debut movie – Radha ki aayegi baarat, but couldn’t make it big.  

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Updated: September 19, 2013