Veteran Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan, whose memorable supporting roles and effortless comic timing made him a familiar face for generations of Hindi film viewers, died on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after battling cancer.

Khan died at around 7 PM in Mumbai, according to reports citing people close to him and representatives of film-industry organisations. He had been undergoing treatment at Nanavati Hospital after his illness returned.

The news has prompted tributes from across the Hindi film industry. Over a career spanning several decades, Khan appeared in numerous films, often turning relatively small supporting parts into memorable performances.

He was particularly recognised for his work in films such as Welcome, Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, among many others. His career also extended to television.

Film Industry Mourns Mushtaq Khan

Mushtaq Khan's death was confirmed by representatives of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA). Tributes have also come from several members of the entertainment industry.

The actor was remembered not only for his comic performances but also for the consistency with which he portrayed supporting characters throughout his career.

His ability to make an impression without necessarily playing the lead helped establish him as one of Hindi cinema's recognisable character actors.

Mushtaq Khan Had Been Battling Cancer

Reports agree that Khan had been suffering from cancer and had been hospitalised in Mumbai before his death. However, there is conflicting reporting about the precise type of cancer.

Hindustan Times reported, citing his business partner Shivam, that Khan had previously been diagnosed with lung cancer, recovered and then suffered a relapse shortly before his death. Other reports have described his illness as liver cancer.

Given the differing accounts, the confirmed point is that the actor died following a battle with cancer while undergoing treatment in Mumbai.

There is also conflicting reporting about his age, with several publications reporting that he was 56, while some other reports give a different age.

From Aashiqui to Gadar: A Long Career in Hindi Cinema

Mushtaq Khan built an extensive filmography over the years, working in comedy, romance, drama and action films.

Among the films associated with his career are Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Jodi No. 1, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Welcome, Wanted and Oh My God!. He also continued appearing in more recent releases, including Gadar 2 and Stree 2.

His career was not limited to cinema. Khan also worked on television, including an appearance in Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.

What made his career distinctive was his ability to remain instantly recognisable even when he was not playing the central character.

Welcome Role Became One of His Most Recognisable Performances

For many viewers, Mushtaq Khan will remain closely associated with his comic appearance in the 2007 film Welcome.

His character's monologue beginning with the line about having an artificial leg and once being a hockey player became one of the film's widely remembered comic moments.

The scene demonstrated Khan's ability to use dialogue delivery, facial expressions and comic timing to make a supporting appearance stand out even in a movie featuring several established comedy performers.

Years after the movie's release, the sequence continued to be referenced by audiences and on social media.

A Familiar Face Across Generations of Bollywood Films

Khan worked across different periods of Hindi cinema and shared the screen with multiple generations of actors.

He appeared in films including Aashiqui and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke earlier in his career and continued working in later productions such as Gadar 2, Badhaai Do and Stree 2.

That longevity helped make him a familiar presence to audiences who watched Hindi films across several decades.

Supporting actors do not always receive the same publicity as a film's leading stars, but Khan's career showed how distinctive performances in smaller roles can remain memorable long after a movie leaves theatres.

Bollywood Stars Pay Tribute

Following news of his death, several members of the Hindi film industry paid tribute to Khan. Reports noted messages from actors and filmmakers including Sunny Deol, Anupam Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Randeep Hooda and Anees Bazmee, among others.

His death marks the loss of an actor whose contribution to Hindi cinema extended well beyond any single role.

While Welcome gave him one of his most frequently recalled comic moments, Mushtaq Khan's body of work covered numerous films and television appearances.

For audiences who watched him across decades, his performances in Aashiqui, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Welcome and other projects will remain part of his screen legacy.