Indian actor and comedian Mushtaq Khan, perhaps best known as the the hockey player with a fake leg from the 2007 comedy Welcome, has at the age of 75, the Press Trust of India reported.
As per his son Mohsin, the actor was battling cancer and had been admitted to the Nanavati hospital in Mumbai where he died on Thursday.
Starting from his debut appearance in the 1980 film Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai?, Khan built up a portfolio of over 500 film roles. Some notable titles include Hera Pheri, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
His most iconic performance, which gained him internet stardom years after the film was released, was in Welcome, where he played Ballu, antagonist Uday Shetty’s loyal sidekick.
His deadpan delivery made his character memorable, especially in one scene where he explains what happens when someone upsets his boss. “Meri aik taang nakli hai, mein hockey ka bohot bara khiladi tha. Aik din Uday bhai ko meri kisi baat pe ghussa aagya to meri hockey stick se meri taang ke chaar tukrey kar diye (I have a fake leg, I used to be a big hockey player. One day, Uday got mad at me and broke my leg into four pieces with my hockey stick).”
Tributes for the actor included one from his Gadar co-star Sunny Deol, who sent condolences to his family.
Deol said in an Instagram story that Khan was “a nice human being and a fine actor”, adding that he had many fond memories of his late colleague.
Actor Rajpal Yadav also posted about Khan, saying that he had met the comedian hours before his death and remembered his shaking hands and paying attention to their conversation.
I still can’t believe that the person I met two hours ago, the person I shook hands with, is no longer among us… Mushtaq bhai was, is and will always be a popular person, actor,” Yadav said.
