Kader Khan was a true legend in Indian cinema, a multi-talented artist who seamlessly embodied various roles, from the most menacing villains to the most comedic, lighthearted characters. His ability to switch between serious, dialogue-heavy roles and laugh-out-loud humour made him a rare gem in Bollywood. Born on 22 October 1937, Kader Khan not only captivated audiences with his performances but also with the powerful dialogues he penned, enriching over 250 films with his writing and appearing in more than 300 as an actor.
Despite his immense contributions to Indian cinema, many feel that he did not receive the recognition and status he deserved during his lifetime. However, he was honoured with the Sahitya Shiromani Award in 2013 for his significant contributions to Hindi cinema. His service to the Muslim community in India was also acknowledged, as he was twice honoured by the American Federation of Muslims from India. In 2019, the Government of India posthumously awarded him the Padma Shri, recognizing his lasting legacy. Kader Khan’s presence on screen was magnetic, and he immersed himself so deeply in his roles that viewers couldn’t help but be drawn into the characters he portrayed
In an interview with Lehren Retro, Kader Khan shared an interesting story about how his journey as a dialogue writer began in Bollywood. Director Narendra Bedi, known for his work on the 1972 film Jawani Diwani, approached Kader Khan, who was then active in theatre, to write dialogues for the movie. Initially, Khan was hesitant to accept the offer, but Bedi, having faith in his talent, urged him to take it on.
Kader Khan recalled how, after receiving the script, he went to Marine Drive, a popular spot in Mumbai, and within just three hours, he had written the dialogues for the film. He returned to Bedi’s office with the work completed much sooner than expected, leaving the director stunned by his speed and efficiency. Bedi was so impressed by Kader Khan’s writing that he immediately offered him the job, marking Khan’s first venture into the film industry as a dialogue writer.
He started his acting career with the film Daag in 1973. After this, he did memorable work in more than 300 films including Raja Babu, Dulhan Raja, Hero No. 1, Judaai, Baap Numbri Beta 10 Numbri, Dharamvir, Naseeb, Mr. Natwarlal, Lawaris. Along with this, he wrote dialogues for films like Chhaila Babu, Mahachor, Dharam Kanta, Fifty-Fifty, Masterji, Naya Kadam and Hidayat. All these films were hits at the box office.
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