Every year, millions of dreamers flock to Mumbai, hoping to become stars. They chase fame, that one opportunity that could change their lives forever. But sometimes, destiny works the other way — sometimes stardom chases you. One such extraordinary story is that of veteran actor and writer Kader Khan, a man whose journey from poverty to cinematic greatness remains one of Bollywood’s most inspiring tales. Known for his unmatched versatility and sharp wit, Kader Khan was both a prolific writer and a powerhouse performer. With his passing, an era of Indian cinema ended — one defined by dialogues, depth, and a sense of humour that no one has since replicated.
One of his most memorable lines — “Bachpan se sar par Allah ka haath, aur Allahrakkha hai apne saath” — seemed prophetic of his own life.
From Kabul to Kamathipura
Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Kader Khan was the fourth son in his family — and the only one to survive beyond the age of eight. “My mother believed the air of Afghanistan wasn’t good for her children after she lost my three brothers,” Kader recalled in an old interview on Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya with Samay TV. His mother decided to move to India when he was barely a year old.
The family settled in Mumbai’s Kamathipura — one of the city’s poorest and most crime-ridden slums. “It was the worst place,” he reacalled, adding, “There was prostitution, crime, murder, and filth everywhere.”
(Photo: Express Archive)
After his parents divorced, his mother was forced into another marriage with a man who didn’t earn a penny. This pushed young Kader Khan to consider dropping out of school to take up a factory job. “My friends convinced me to quit studies. But my mother stopped me. She told me, if I really wanted to help, I had to study. From that day, I never stopped studying.”
His mother’s insistence paid off — Kader not only completed his education but went on to teach at the very college he graduated from. “I taught Applied Mathematics and Mechanics — ironically, the two subjects I struggled with the most as a student,” he quipped. Within a month, his engaging teaching style earned him the Best Teacher in Maharashtra award.
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The accidental actor
Kader Khan’s first brush with acting came when he was just eight years old. “I used to visit a crematorium daily while my mother thought I was going to read namaz. There, I would just talk to myself. One day, an actor named Ashraf Khan noticed me. He was working on a play called Wamaq Azra and needed a child actor for the role of a prince,” he shared.
Kader Khan (Photo: Express Archive)
Impressed by Kader’s vocabulary and expression, Ashraf cast him on the spot. “Everyone loved my performance. They gave me Rs 100 and blessed me, saying this would one day turn into lakhs.”
Years later in college, his classmates pushed him into the dramatics club. “They made me audition, and when I read the lines, they were shocked. They gave me a role right away — and soon, I was helping them fix their scripts too.” That’s how his journey into theatre began. And he continued to write scripts even when he joined as a teacher.
The Call from Dilip Kumar
His talent eventually caught the attention of none other than Dilip Kumar. “I was teaching when the office boy came to tell me there was a phone call. When I picked up, the voice said, ‘This is Yusuf Khan.’ I asked, ‘Which Yusuf?’ and he replied, ‘People in the industry call me Dilip Kumar.’ I started trembling.”
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Dilip Kumar told him he wanted to see his play. “I set two conditions — he must come before time, and he must watch the entire play. He agreed. When the play ended, his eyes were red; he was weeping. He told me he loved my performance,” Kader shared.
That meeting changed everything. Dilip Kumar offered him roles in Sagina (1974) and Bairaag (1976), the latter featuring the superstar in triple roles with Kader Khan as a police officer.
When his writing started to pay
Even before his acting career took off, Kader Khan had begun making his mark as a dialogue writer. Acclaimed writer Rajinder Singh Bedi once approached him to write dialogues for a film directed by his son, Narendra Bedi — the cult hit Jawani Diwani (1972).
While he was given a month’s deadline, Kader wrote the entire script in just five hours. “When I went back the same day, Bedi sahib thought I hadn’t understood the narration and had come again to clarify,” he recalled, adding, “But when I said I had already written it, he couldn’t believe it. When I read the dialogues out loud, he was amazed — and from then on, he marketed me across the industry.”
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For that film, he was paid Rs 1,500 — a modest beginning for someone who would go on to write for hundreds of blockbusters.
The Manmohan Desai breakthrough
His next big moment came when filmmaker Manmohan Desai approached him for Roti (1974). “He narrated the story, and overnight, I wrote the entire script. When he heard it, he went crazy — he said, ‘Tu kamaal hai yaar! Tu mujhe joote se maar,’” Kader recalled.
Kader Khan (Photo: Express Archive)
When Manmohan asked him to quote his fee, Kader nervously said Rs 25,000. “He looked disappointed and immediately said, ‘Here’s Rs 1,21,000.’ I was shocked.”
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And just like that, the prophecy of that generous stranger who once gave him Rs 100 came true — his talent had finally begun to earn him in lakhs.
The legacy
Over the decades, Kader Khan became synonymous with sharp humour, heartfelt emotions, and memorable one-liners. Whether as a villain, comedian, or mentor, he brought depth to every role he played.
Kader Khan (Photo: Express Archive)
Apart from acting, he was the writer of films Jawani Diwani, Benaam, Roti, Mahachor, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, Parvarish, Muqaddar Ka Sikander and Mr Natwarlal, among several others.
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Kader Khan passed away at the age of 81 after battling supranuclear palsy, a degenerative neurological disease. Yet, his voice, his words, and his wisdom continue to echo through generations of cinema lovers — a reminder that true stars don’t chase fame; they simply live their destiny. As Kader said: “Mai kabhi success ke piche nahi bhaaga! Mujhe Gareebo ke dhakke ne aage kiya!”
