Veteran Hindi film and television actor Mushtaq Khan has died at the age of 56. According to a confirmed report by HT City, the actor passed away on Thursday evening, September 24, 2026, at around 7 pm.

Khan had been admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital and was undergoing treatment. He had earlier been diagnosed with lung cancer and had recovered, but according to the report, the illness relapsed eight days before his death and had reached an advanced stage.

Mushtaq Khan’s Memorable Film Career

Mushtaq Khan built a long career as a character actor, appearing in a wide range of Hindi films across different genres. He was particularly recognised for supporting and comic roles that made him a familiar face to audiences.

His recent film appearances included Stree 2 and Gadar 2, while his extensive filmography featured several popular titles from the 1990s and 2000s.

Mushtaq Khan’s Television Work

Beyond films, Khan also earned appreciation for his television performances. One of his notable roles came in Sony TV’s Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi, where he played Supriya Pilgaonkar’s brother and Shaheer Sheikh’s maternal uncle.

His performance in the series earned him an award for Best Supporting Actor, adding another notable achievement to his career.

From His First Film to a Long Acting Journey

Mushtaq Khan began his film career with Trapti. In an interview with the YouTube channel Yugcharan, he recalled that his first payment for the film was just Rs 35.

He later appeared in the acclaimed film Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai, starring Naseeruddin Shah. Over the years, Khan established himself as a dependable character actor across mainstream Hindi cinema.

Mushtaq Khan on the Economics of Character Acting

Khan was also candid in interviews about the financial realities faced by supporting actors in the Hindi film industry. Speaking about the disparity between stars and character artists, he recalled his experience while working on Welcome.

His comments highlighted the economic gap he experienced between leading stars and supporting artists, particularly in large-scale commercial productions.

He Credited Amitabh Bachchan for Helping Him Buy a Flat

In the same interview, Khan also spoke about support he received from senior members of the film industry. He said Amitabh Bachchan helped him secure a flat under the CM quota through a handwritten letter.

According to Khan’s account, the intervention enabled him to purchase the flat for around Rs 2 lakh, despite its original price being approximately Rs 12–15 lakh.

He Praised the Treatment of Supporting Actors on Stree 2 and The Railway Men

Khan also discussed how the treatment of supporting actors had improved on certain projects. He specifically praised his experience on Stree 2 and Yash Raj Films’ series The Railway Men.

He said that several filmmakers and production houses were making efforts to reduce the gap between stars and supporting artists and described being treated with care on those projects.

Kidnapping Incident in His Later Years

Khan’s later years also included a traumatic incident in which he was reportedly kidnapped after being invited to an event in Uttar Pradesh.

According to reports at the time, he was allegedly lured with an event invitation, advance payment and flight arrangements before being taken from Delhi to Bijnor. He was reportedly held for several hours while the perpetrators made ransom demands.

Mushtaq Khan’s Legacy

Mushtaq Khan’s death marks the end of a long acting career spanning Hindi cinema and television. From his early work and modest first payment to memorable supporting performances in major films and television shows, he remained a recognisable presence in the industry for decades.

His performances in films such as Aashiqui, Hera Pheri, Welcome, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Stree 2 and Gadar 2, along with his television work, remain part of his extensive body of work.