Welcome and Gadar actor Mushtaq Khan dies at 56 after battle with cancer

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, a familiar face in Hindi cinema for decades, passed away on Thursday, September 24, in Mumbai. He was 56. The actor died at Nanavati Hospital, where he was being treated for cancer.

His business partner Shivam said Khan died around 7pm. According to Shivam, the actor had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier and had recovered, but the illness came back recently and he had to be admitted to hospital. Reports say the cancer was first found about five years ago and that he had been in hospital for around two weeks before his death. His funeral will take place on Friday at the Yari Road Kabristan.

Khan made his screen debut in 1980 with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai and went on to build a long career in supporting and comic parts. A recommendation from writer Salim Khan led him to filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, which opened the door to Kabzaa and several more Bhatt films, including Aashiqui, Sadak and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin.

For most movie lovers, he will always be Ballu from Anees Bazmee's Welcome (2007). Sharing the screen with Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, he stole his scenes with a deadpan story about a fake leg and his hockey days. His line "Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bahut bada khiladi tha" is still quoted by fans. He also played Gul Khan in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) and returned to the role in Gadar 2 (2023).

His filmography is long, with titles such as Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Raja, Hera Pheri, Jodi No. 1, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Wanted and Oh My God! He stayed active in recent years too, appearing in Stree, Badhaai Do, Stree 2, Vanvaas, Baby John and Jaat. He also worked on stage and in television, including the show Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.

Khan is survived by his wife Salma Khan and their sons. As the news spread, fans filled social media with tributes, and many of them remembered him first as Ballu.