Amjad Khan was an Indian actor and film director who lived from 12 November 1940 until 27 July 1992. During the course of his nearly two-decade career, he contributed to over 132 films. He was Jayant, the actor's son. His most well-known villainous parts were as Dilawar in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and as Gabbar Singh in the 1975 masterpiece Sholay, which brought him widespread recognition. The actor Jayant, originally from Peshawar in the North-West Frontier Province, was the father of Amjad Khan, who was born into a Sunni Muslim family of Pashtun ethnicity. Imtiaz Khan, his younger brother, was also an actor. Amjad Khan received his education at Bandra's St. Andrew's High School. As a student at R. D. National College, he served as general secretary. He worked as a theatre artist and gave performances at his college alongside his brother during his time in school.
Career
Amjad Khan performed in theatres before entering the film industry. In the 1951 movie Nazneen, he played a child actor in his debut part at the age of 11. At the age of seventeen, he landed his next role in the 1957 film Ab Dilli Dur Nahin. He made a cameo appearance and provided support to K. Asif in the late 1960s movie Love And God. After Asif passed away in 1971, the movie remained unfinished until its 1986 release. He had a minor role in Hindustan Ki Kasam in 1973.
Salim Khan, one of the film's authors, gave him the part of dacoit Gabbar Singh in Sholay in 1975. Amjad studied Taroon Kumar Bhaduri's book Abhishapth Chambal, which is about Chambal dacoits, in order to get ready for the part. With the film, Amjad soared to fame. In particular, "Soja Nahi to Gabbar Ajayega" is a parody and satire that has gained a lot of traction in Bollywood culture due to his mannerisms and speech. Sholay proceeded to become a huge hit. Amjad stole the show with his unconventional and spooky line delivery, even though the film had an ensemble cast of celebrities, including Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar, who was nominated for a Filmfare award for Best Actor that year.
Later, he starred in commercials for Britannia Glucose Biscuits (often referred to as Gabbar Ki Asli Pasand) as Gabbar Singh, marking the first instance of a villain being used to promote a well-liked product. Following the triumph of Sholay, Khan proceeded to feature in a number of bad characters in Hindi films during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, surpassing the previous Indian actor Ajit in terms of demand and popularity. When Amitabh Bachchan played the hero, he frequently played the antagonist. In Kaar, his part was also portrayed in a horrifying way. In Des Pardes, Nastik, Satte Pe Satta, Chambal Ki Kasam, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, and Naseeb, he left his mark.
Personal Life
He wed Sheela Khan in 1972, and the following year, Shadaab Khan, their first child, was born. In addition, he had two sons, Seemaab Khan and Ahlam Khan, a daughter. 2011 saw Ahlam wed well-known theatrical performer Zafar Karachiwala.
Amjad Khan suffered a severe injury in an accident on the Mumbai-Goa highway, breaking his ribs and puncturing his lung. He was scheduled to take part in the filming of The Great Gambler, which starred Amitabh Bachchan.
Death
He passed away from a heart attack in July 1992, when he was just 51 years old.