Yusuf Khan

Yusuf Khan Biography

Yusuf Khan was a popular character artist associated with Bollywood cinema, who played the role of a henchman in many movies back in 1970s and 1980s. A small time actor, he is best known for his role of Zebisco, a bodyguard of its lead actress Parveen Babi for Bollywood Blockbuster ‘Amar Akbar Antony’. His stylish catholic name Zebisco and mannerisms were absolutely matching his personality, and he dreams to become a big smuggler by marrying the daughter of the villain. Though he has played several roles onscreen, Zebisco – is his career best.

He has portrayed many Christian roles onscreen of which the most memorable ones are Zebisco in Amar Akbar Antony, Roxie in Karz and John Ragada in Bombay to Goa. All these movies are regarded as the landmark movies of Bollywood cinema. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) and Disco Dancer (1982) are other noted roles. Thus he has been a part of several movies that became a part of Bollywood history and became box office hits too. He was seen in less significant roles in Bollywood movies - Boxer, Nastik, Khuddar, Mangal Pandey, Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, Asanti, Hotel, Garam Masala, Aap Ke Deewane, Naseeb, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Parvarish, Chhailla Babu, Dharmatma etc.

Known for his physique, he made his film debut as hero through 1969 B-grade film - Jungle Ki Hasina. He was one among those struggling actors of Bollywood who failed to make a mark in the industry despite stayed long. He died in 1984 from a massive heart attack, unfortunately a time when he got noticed for the roles he played onscreen. His son Faraaz Khan has also played male lead in a few Hindi movies such as Dulhan Banoo Mein Teri opposite Deepti Bhatnagar, Mehndi opposite Rani Mukherji and box office hit Fareb in the 1990s. In fact he was signed for the male lead of Meine Pyar Kiye, which later went to Salman Khan, and the rest is history.

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Updated: March 06, 2016