Salim Bokhari

It is not merely a claim but a reality that Muslims have ruled the roost in Indian film industry for decades and continue to do that even today. Be it the directors, actors, singers and technicians or writers; the collective efforts of these personalities proved their mettle and they won praise and appreciation for their work. There is no doubt that from the era of 1940s to date Muslims have shined above the rest in every department of filmmaking. It is not possible to discuss all these great actors in this short piece of writing but without mentioning some great names from different era this article would be incomplete. We will discuss some of the male actors whose contribution to the Indian film industry will never be forgotten.

Dilip Kumar

Yousaf Khan famously known as Dilip Kumar started his film journey in 1944 with the film Jwar Bhata which went unnoticed. After three years his film Jugnu (1947) in which he starred alongside Noor Jehan became his first major hit at the box office. Dilip Kumar’s next major hit movie was the 1948 film Shaheed. After a year in Mehboob Khan’s film Andaz (1949) he acted with Raj Kapoor and Nargis in a love triangle story.

After this Dilip Kumar was recognizes a guarantee for the success of any movie and owing to his romantic roles in movies he was considered the chocolate hero of the time. Dilip’s acting filled the colours in Bollywood industry in the movies like Jogan (1950), Tarana (1951) Hulchul (1951) Deedar (1951), Aan (1952) Daag (1952), Uran Khatola (1953), Devdas (1955), Yahudi (1958) and Madhumati (1958). These films established his screen image as the “Tragedy King”. He was the first actor to win the Filmfare Best Actor Award for Daag and went on to win it a further seven times in his career. He also proved his acting skills in 1950s era movies Footpath, Naya Door, Musaffir and Pegham.

In his long lasting film journey, he made a duo with the famous and successful Indian actresses Madhubala, Vyjayanthimala, Nargis, Nimmi, Meena Kumari, Saroja Devi and Kamini Kaushal.

Dilip Kumar had made movies like Azaad (1955) and Kohinoor, in 1960s but in the direction of K Asif he acted in the movie which was Asia’s famous and most successful movie Mughal-e-Azam. He also became producer in 1961 and made his film Ganga Jamna, in which Vajanti Mala played the female lead.

In 1962 British director David Lean offered him the role of “Sherif Ali” in his film Lawrence of Arabia (1962), but Dilip Kumar declined to perform in the movie. The next three decades i.e 1970, 1980, 1990 he did successful roles in films and a result of it he was awarded by Government of India with the Padma Bhushan in 1991. And during his visit to Pakistan in 1997 he was awarded with prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award in Pakistan.

He has been suffering from illness for a long time. His life partner Saira Bano takes care of him. May Allah Almighty give him good health. Dillip Kumar has been also served India in the field of politics. He worked as Mayor of Mumbai (the then Bombay).

Rehman Khan

Rehman Khan is also a big name in Bollywood industry. From the era of 1940 till 1976 he was affiliated with the film industry and was a part of director Gurru Dutt’s team’s with whom he made movies like Pyaasa (1957), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).

He acted in more than 50 films included Shahjehan (1946) as Shahjahan, Taj Mahal (1963 film) as Emperor Jahangir (Salim) with Veena as Noor Jahan, Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Roomal (1949), Paras (1949),Badi Bahen (1949),Phir Subah Hogi (1958),Choti Bahen(1959), Chhalia (1960),Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960),Ghunghat (1960), Dharmputra (1961),Mere Mehboob (1963),Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966),Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966),Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966),Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967), Aabroo (1968), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) Shikar (1968),Intaquam (1969),Majboor (1974), Dost (1974) and Dil... Aakhir Dil Hai (1982) are his hit films.

In 1977 he had three cardiac attacks but did not give up. In 1984 he eventually breathed his last. He was seen with respect in the industry owing to his simplicity and honesty.

Johnny Walker

Johnny Walker is the screen name of an Indian movie comedian, who acted in around 300 movies. He was born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore, India.

One of the earliest and best-loved comedians of Bollywood, Johnny Walker brought smiles. He was discovered by Balraj Sahni who handed him over to Guru Dutt and Johnny Walker acted in the latter’s film Bazi for the first time. Johnny Walker was of the view that role of a comedian is equally important as that of hero, and it should not be confined to laughter. And, to prove this, he worked in the movie Meray Mehboob, CID, Piyasa and Chori Chori. His roles in the aforementioned movies proved his saying to be true. He acted in 300 films and the Censor Board never cut even one line. Jonny Walker worked as passive drinker in films which was acknowledged by Dilip Kumar and Guru Dutt but the matter of the fact is, he never sipped a single drop of alcohol in his entire life.

Nasiruudin Shah

Nasiruudin Shah is also big star of Bollywood industry. In his film journey he clinched three national film awards, three film fare awards. He was also awarded with Venice Film Festival Award. The Indian Government awarded him with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards for his contributions to Indian cinema. His acting is also acknowledged on short screen. With Gulzar he played the lead role in Mirza Ghalib that showed the peak of his acting talent in the 16 episodes. Television series Bharat Ek Khoj based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s book The Discovery of India also a part of his marvelous acting. Shah has been awarded the life membership of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television.

He worked in numerous films but Hum Panch, Karma , Ijazat, Jalwa, Hira Lal, Ghulami, Sarfaroz, Wednesday, wedding, Monsoon, Khuda Kay Liye are noteworthy. He also worked as director in Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota. He married film actress Ratna Pathak and worked with her in movies Janay Toh ya Janay Na, Mirch Masala and Perfect Murder.

Mehmood Ali

A very famous name of Bollywood, Mehmood Ali was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer best known for playing comic roles in Hindi films. During his career spanning four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films. His first film Sanyasi was released in 1945. His other films include Kagaz ke phool (1959), Dil Tera Diwana (1962), Zindagi (1964), Ziddi (1964),Shabnam (1964), Chitralekha (1964)

Gumnaam (1965) with Helen, Johar-Mehmood in Goa (1965) with I.S. Johar, Patthar ke Sanam (1967), Aankhen (1968), Neel Kamal (1968), Kunwaara Baap (1974), Pocketmaar (1974)... Sunder, Thief of Baghdad (1977), Des Pardes (1978) Anwar, Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Guddu (1995), Dushman Duniya Ka (1996).

In the movie, Kahwara Baap his acting to bring up an orphan child received heights of popularity in film industry. His first award was given to him for the role of supporting actor in film Dil Tera Diwana (1962). Pyar Kiye Jaa (1967), Warasat (1970), Paras (1972), Wardaan 1975 awarded in Film Fare Award. Besides this, his name was nominated in Film Fair Awards for 14 times. On 23rd July 2004 he departed from this world in America where he was staying for his treatment.

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan was an actor, film editor, producer and director in the film industry. He was known for his flashy style, with cow boy swagger, and cigar toting persona. This revolutionised style was different from otherwise conventional “filmi” hero. He is known as the style icon in the industry.

Hit film Qurbani was his memorable film which was also directed by him. He won the Film Fare Best Supporting Actor Award for Aadmi Aur Insaan in 1970, and was honoured with the Film Fare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

Initially he made low-budget films including, Tarzan Goes to India, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera, Char Darvesh, Arzoo, Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), Khotey Sikkay, Geeta Mera Naam, Pyasi Sham, Shankar Shambhu and Safar. He appeared alongside his real-life brother Sanjay Khan in the hit films Mela (1971), and Nagin (1976). With a capacity of hero and director his successful film was Aprad. After this he made film Darhmatpa whose shooting took place in Afghanistan. Hema Malini acted as heroin in this film. After that the movie Qurbani proved to be a booster in his acting career. The film became a hit on box office, The same movie introduced Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan, whose evergreen song Ap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mein Ayein was used in the movie. Film Jaannashein of 2008 was noteworthy in a sense that he acted with his own son Fardeen Khan in it. Prior to this, he also made film Zulim in 1988 which his son Fardeen Khan was the hero and did well at the box office.