Mushtaq Khan’s Final Moments: Son Mohsin Reveals Actor Had Cancer, ‘He Passed Away With a Smile’

Veteran actor and comedian Mushtaq Khan was laid to rest today, bringing an emotional close to the life of an artist who spent decades entertaining audiences across Hindi cinema and television. After the burial, his son Mohsin Khan spoke about his father’s illness, his final moments and the thoughts he shared shortly before his death. Revealing that Mushtaq had been battling cancer, Mohsin said the family was unaware of how quickly the illness had turned aggressive. Despite the severity of his condition, Mushtaq remained composed until the end. “Yes, he had been struggling with an illness for some time. He didn't seem distressed, though; he passed away with a smile on his face. But yes, he had cancer—it was in the early stage. However, it turned aggressive, and the condition worsened so rapidly that even we didn't realize it. By the time we found out, he was no longer with us, but he departed with a smile,” Mohsin said.

Mushtaq Khan’s passing marks the end of a long and memorable career in which he became a familiar face in Hindi films, television and comedy. Over several decades, he appeared in numerous popular films, including Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Jodi No.1 and Welcome. His ability to make an impression even in supporting roles made him a recognizable presence for generations of moviegoers. Among his most remembered performances was his role as the disabled hockey player in Welcome, a character that became part of the film’s enduring comic moments.

While the loss is deeply felt by his family and colleagues, Mohsin believes his father’s work will continue to live on even as the industry moves forward. Responding to the suggestion that it would be difficult to see another artist like Mushtaq, he said, “It is definitely a loss for the industry, but our industry is home to exceptional artists—my dad was one of them. Of course, it is a loss, but the industry will continue to see new talent emerge. There will be many more like Mushtaq Khan; even better actors will come along, and we will all cherish the memories of him.” His words reflected both the pain of losing his father and a sense of acceptance about the constantly evolving world of cinema.

Perhaps the most moving revelation came when Mohsin recalled his last conversation with Mushtaq Khan. Rather than dwelling on illness or fear, the veteran actor was apparently in a happy frame of mind and looked back at his life with satisfaction. “The last time I spoke to him, he was very happy. He was smiling and said, ‘I am so happy to have lived in this world.’ He felt that the work he had done had reached people—and it truly did,” Mohsin recalled. Those words offer an especially poignant glimpse into Mushtaq’s state of mind during his final days, when he could look back at a career that had brought his performances into the homes and memories of countless viewers.

Mohsin also remembered another sentiment his father expressed during their final conversation — his deep pride in being born in India. “He also felt an immense sense of pride in having been born in our beloved Hindustan; that was his final sentiment,” Mohsin said. For an actor who built his career through persistence and memorable character roles, the thought of his work reaching audiences appeared to give him immense satisfaction. His final reflections, as remembered by his son, were therefore less about what was ending and more about gratitude for the life and career he had experienced.

Born in Baihar, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, Mushtaq Khan went on to establish himself as one of the Hindi film industry’s familiar character actors, balancing comedy and supporting performances with appearances in television. He was married to Salma Khan and is survived by their daughter Saba and sons Mohammed Arshad Khan and Mohsin Khan. As family, friends and colleagues mourn his passing, his films remain a lasting part of his legacy. And as his son’s recollections reveal, Mushtaq Khan’s final chapter was marked not by fear, but by a smile, satisfaction with the work he had done and pride in the country he called home.