Mushtaq Khan Dies at 56 After Cancer Battle; ‘Welcome’ and ‘Gadar’ Actor Laid to Rest in Mumbai

MUMBAI, September 27, 2026 — Bollywood character actor Mushtaq Khan, remembered for his comic performances in Welcome and the Gadar franchise, died in Mumbai on September 24 at the age of 56 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Khan had been receiving treatment at Nanavati Hospital after his health deteriorated, with his business partner Shivam confirming to Hindustan Times that he died at around 7 p.m.

Key points

• Mushtaq Khan died on September 24 at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, aged 56.
• His business partner said his cancer had previously improved before a recent relapse led to his hospitalisation.
• FWICE president BN Tiwari and AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupt also confirmed his death.
• Khan’s career stretched across more than four decades, from Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai to films including Aashiqui, Welcome, Gadar 2 and Stree 2.
• He was laid to rest at Mumbai’s Yari Road Cemetery on September 25.

Mushtaq Khan’s death confirmed by industry representatives

Khan’s death was confirmed by senior film-industry representatives shortly after it occurred. FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed the news to ANI, while AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupt separately confirmed that Khan had been dealing with cancer and had been admitted to Nanavati Hospital after his condition worsened.

His business partner Shivam told HT City that Khan had previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and had recovered, but that the disease had relapsed shortly before his death. Shivam said the actor was admitted to hospital after the relapse and died around 7 p.m. on Thursday.

There has been some inconsistency in early media reports over the precise type of cancer, with India Today describing it as liver cancer while HT City, ANI and several other reports identified it as lung cancer. The more consistently reported facts are that Khan had a previous cancer diagnosis, experienced a recent relapse and was hospitalised in Mumbai before his death.

From supporting roles to a pop-culture moment in Welcome

Khan built his career largely through character and supporting roles rather than conventional leading-man parts. He made his screen debut in Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai in 1980 and went on to appear in films including Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Sadak, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Hera Pheri, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Wanted and Oh My God!.

His most recognisable role for a younger generation came in Anees Bazmee’s Welcome (2007), where he played Ballu, a member of Uday Shetty’s gang. His comic sequence involving his artificial leg and former hockey career became one of the film’s most remembered moments.

Khan also appeared as Gul Khan in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and returned for Gadar 2 more than two decades later. His later credits included Stree 2, Badhaai Do and Jaat, reflecting the longevity of a career that moved between comedy, drama and supporting character parts.

Final farewell in Mumbai

Khan was laid to rest at Yari Road Cemetery in Mumbai on September 25. His family, friends and members of the film industry attended the final rites, with his son Mohsin Khan among those present.

The actor’s death has brought renewed attention to a career defined not by headline-making lead roles, but by the ability to make supporting characters memorable across generations of Hindi cinema.