Iftekhar Khan, mononymously credited as Iftekhar, was a prominent Bollywood actor who mainly appeared in character roles. He was born on 22nd February 1920 in Sialkot, British India, which is now in Pakistan. He was quite popular as the on screen police officer as he appeared in many of his films. For this he was often credited as the Real Police Man of Bollywood industry. His acting career spanned from the 1940s through the early 1990s during which he appeared in more than 400 films. He was also credited to be one of the most dominated supporting actors during the period of 1960s.
Career of Iftekhar Khan
Iftekhar Khan made his cinematic debut as an actor in the year 1937 with the Bollywood film Qazzak Ki Ladki. Throughout his career he starred in a number of Hindi movies. During the "golden age of the Hindi film industry" which arrived in the 1940s and 50s Iftekhar had appeared in many films as the leading star. However later he shifted to mainly character roles. His portrayals in different films varied from doctor, courtroom judge, police commissioner, police officer, grandfather, uncle and father. He also appeared in negative roles in a few flicks such as Agent Vinod, Khel Khel Mein, Sawan Bhadon and Bandini. Iftekhar graduated to play the older roles in the 1960s and 70s. It was during this period when he also gained recognition for police inspector roles which became his speciality. His characters mostly had sympathetic inclinations however he had also played heavy on a few occasions.
Among his most memorable roles, his portrayal of Amitabh Bachchan"s corrupt industrialist mentor in Yash Chopra"s classic Deewaar in the year 1975 has been outstanding. He essayed the role of a police inspector in Prakash Mehra"s Zanjeer which also remains one of his classic roles. Although the role was small, its impact was memorable. 1978 Bollywood blockbuster hit Don starring Amitabh Bachchan also featured Iftekhar in a similar role. Other flicks which rendered the actor popularity in character roles include Sholay, The Gambler, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Johny Mera Naam, Teesri Kasam, Teesri Manzil, Shaheed, Sangam and many more. In addition to Hindi films, Iftekhar had also starred in two episodes of an American television series titled Maya in the year 1967. He had also acted in the English language films City of Joy, in 1992, and Bombay Talkie, in 1970.
Death of Iftekhar Khan
Iftekhar died on 4th March 1995 at the age of 75 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. He was active in the Hindi film industry till his death.
