Mazhar Khan (18 October 1905 – 24 September 1950) was an actor, producer, and director in
Indian Cinema
The cinema of India, consisting of motion pictures made by the Indian film industry, has had a large effect on world cinema since the second half of the 20th century. Indian cinema is made up of various film industries, each focused on p ...
. He began his career as a police officer, which he left to study law for a short period. After abandoning his studies, he came to
Bombay
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
and started his career in cinema with the silent film ''Fatal Garland'' (1928) opposite the top actress of the time, Ermeline. He became a popular actor, gaining success in several
silent films
A silent film is a film without synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, wh ...
. During his stint in silent films he worked with directors such as Bhagwati Prasad Mishra, Ezra Mir, Moti P. Bhagnani, R. S. Chowdhary, and M. D. Bhavnani. Magazines in the 1940s compared Khan to Hollywood actors such as
Paul Muni
Paul Muni (born Frederich Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund; September 22, 1895 – August 25, 1967) was an American stage and film actor from Chicago. He started his acting career in the Yiddish theater and during the 1930s, he was considered one of ...
,
Bela Lugosi
Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi ( ; ), was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (19 ...
and
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff () and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstei ...
.
Khan transitioned to
talkies
A sound film is a Film, motion picture with synchronization, synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, bu ...
with the end of the Silent Era. ''Nurjehan'' (1931), directed by Ezra Mir, was his first talkie picture. It received a positive response from the audiences establishing Khan as a profitable and dependable actor. He went on to work with the East India Film Company in
Calcutta
Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern ba ...
and
Sagar Movietone
Sagar Movietone also Sagar Films, Sagar Film Company and Sagar Productions was an Indian film production company involved in the making of films for Indian cinema. It was launched by Ardeshir Irani with Chimanlal Desai and Dr. Ambalal Patel in 1 ...
, making films like ''Sultana'', ''Night Bird'', ''Salima'' and ''Sonhera Sansar''. He then moved back to Bombay and worked under
Ranjit Movietone
Ranjit Studios, also known as Ranjit Movietone, was an Indian film production company with studio facilities located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It produced films between 1929 and mid-1970s. The studio was founded by Chandulal Shah along wi ...
. Having established himself in the different roles, he became renowned for his character depictions while also being respected in the film industry.
He formed his own production company, Asiatic Pictures, under which he made ''Yaad'' (1942), starring
Veena
The ''veena'', also spelled ''vina'' ( IAST: vīṇā), is any of various chordophone instruments from the Indian subcontinent. Ancient musical instruments evolved into many variations, such as lutes, zithers and arched harps.
, and ''Pehli Nazar'' (1945), starring Munawwar Sultana. The latter film was considered his directorial triumph in his obituary. His last role was in ''Usha Kiron'' (1952)''.
Early life
Mazhar Khan was born on 18 October 1905, at
Bareilly
Bareilly () is a city in Bareilly district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is among the largest metropolises in Western Uttar Pradesh and is the centre of the Bareilly division as well as the historical region of Rohilkhand. The city ...
,
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, India. He matriculated in
Indore
Indore (; ISO 15919, ISO: , ) is the largest and most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The commercial capital of the state, it has been declared as the List of cleanest cities in India, cleanest city of In ...
,
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...
and then joined the police force in
Dhar
Dhar is a city located in Dhar district of the Malwa region in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The city is the administrative headquarters of the Dhar district. Before Indian independence from Great Britain, it was the capital of the Dhar ...
State. He rose to the rank of a sub-inspector before quitting. Following his father's wishes, he studied law but soon left that to move to Bombay and pursue a career in film. His tenure with the police trained him in horse riding and other "athletic abilities", which were proved helpful to him in his cinematic career.
According to
Baburao Patel
Baburao Patel (1904–1982) was an Indian publisher and writer, associated with films and politics.
Career
Baburao: A Pioneer of Indian Cinema. Baburao was a key figure in the early days of Indian cinema. He started his career as a journalist ...
of ''
Filmindia
''filmindia'' is an Indian monthly magazine covering Indian cinema and published in English language.
Started by Baburao Patel in 1935, ''filmindia'' was the first English film periodical to be published from Bombay. The magazine was reportedly ...
'', B. P. Mishra recognized the "potential box-office attraction" of Khan. Within a week, Khan was given a role in 1928's ''Haiyan No Haar'' (English: ''Fatal Garland'')''.''
Career
Silent films
Khan's debut film, ''Haiyan No Haar'', was directed by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra and starring Ermeline, who was called the "queen of silent films". His role as Prince Ghiasudin was widely applauded and opened him up to new roles. His other films from 1926-1931 during the silent era include ''Durgesh Nandini'' (1926), ''Hoor-E-Baghdad'' (1928), ''Vasl Ni Raat'', ''Be Dhaari Talwar'' (1929), ''Ram Rahim'' (1930), ''Hamara Hindustan'' (1930), ''Sinbad the Sailor'' (1930), '' Raj Tilak'' (1931) and ''Golibar'' (1931). ''Durgesh Nandini'' was directed by B. P. Mishra for Sudarshan Films and starred Ermeline and Madanrai Vakil. In his initial phase, he acted the villain in stunt films produced in that era. With the trend shifting to "mythological, historical and semi-social", he performed roles that required "a touch of extra realism".
Under the Imperial Film Company, Khan acted in 1927 ''Gamdeni Gori'' (English: ''Village Girl''). It was directed by Mohan Dayaram Bhavnani (M. D. Bhavnani) and co-starred Sulochana, Madanrai Vakil and
Raja Sandow
Raja Sandow (born P. K. Nagalingam) was an Indian actor, film director and producer. He began his career as an actor in silent films and later became a prominent actor and director in Tamil and Hindi films of the 1930s. He is considered to be o ...
. The film is stated to be a "part of Imperial's calculated and successful effort to manufacture a star image for the actress (Sulochana)". The next year, Khan acted in B. P. Mishra's ''Hoor-E-Baghdad.'' 1929 had five films starring Khan, variously directed by Mishra, Bhavnani and Altekar, with the production company remaining Imperial.
In 1930, he acted in six films five of which were for Imperial and one for Sagar Film Company. ''Cinema Girl'', which was termed a "Modern Girl" social genre, was directed by Bhagwati Mishra for Imperial Film Company and co-starred
Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor (born Prithvinath Kapoor; 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was an Indian actor who is also considered to be one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema. He was associated with IPTA as one of its founding members and establish ...
and Ermeline. It "presented a fictionalised biography of its maker". The film also marked the debut of actor Prithviraj Kapoor in a prominent role; his first film being ''Do Dhaari Talwar'' directed by Mishra.
Talkies
1930s
''Nurjehan'' (1931) was Khan's debut talkie film. It was made by the Imperial Film Company and directed by Ezra Mir. The film starred Vimala, Mubarak, Nayampally and Jilloobai alongside Khan. The music director was Joseph David. The film "established" Khan in talkies. In 1932 he acted with actor-singer K. L. Saigal and Kumar in '' Subah Ka Sitara'' produced by
New Theatres
New Theatres is an Indian film studio. It was formed in Calcutta by producer B. N. Sircar (Birendranath Sircar, the recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award of 1970 And Padma Bhushan in 1972). It was formed on February 10, 1931. The company motto was ...
Ltd., Calcutta, and directed by
Premankur Atorthy
Premankur Atorthy (1890–1964) was an Indian novelist, journalist, and film director. He was involved in Hindi and Bengali cinema.East India Film Company: ''Nala Damayanti'' was directed by B. H. Rajhans, starring Khan along with Mukhtar Begum, Krishna Chandra Dey, and Indubala. ''Ek Din Ka Badshah'' (English: ''King For A Day)'' was again directed by Rajhans and had Sabita Devi, Indubala, and Bachan as co-stars. ''Aurat Ka Pyar'' (English: ''A Woman's Love)'' was directed by A. R. Kardar and starred Gul Hamid, Mukhtar Begum, Anwaribai and Bachan. Mushtaq Ahmed composed the music and lyrics were by Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who also scripted the film.
In 1934-1935, Khan acted in several films with '' Chandragupta'' (1934) a historical directed by A. R. Kardar, becoming a commercial success at the box-office, and Kardar being termed as a "talented film-maker". The film co-starred Nazir in the title role of Chandragupta, along with Sabita Devi and Gul Hamid. The other significant films of 1933 were '' Sultana'', ''Mumtaz Begum'' and ''Night Bird'', all produced by East India Film Company. His four films in 1935 were ''Sulagto Sansar'' (English: ''Murderer)'' directed by G. R. Sethi, ''Sauteli Ma'' (English: Stepmother) by S. D. Kerawala, ''Selima'' by Modhu Bose, and ''Bidrohi'' (English: ''Freedom Fighter)'' by Dhirendranath Ganguly.
1936 had Khan enacting a significant role along with Gul Hamid in '' Baghi Sipahi'', an adaptation of ''
Cardinal Richelieu
Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu (9 September 1585 – 4 December 1642), commonly known as Cardinal Richelieu, was a Catholic Church in France, French Catholic prelate and statesman who had an outsized influence in civil and religi ...
'' (1935). A costume action drama, it was directed by A. R. Kardar and co-starred Bimla Kumari and Lalita. In 1939, Khan acted in the film ''Aap Ki Marzi, d''irected by
Sarvottam Badami
Sarvottam Badami (1910–2005) was an Indian film director of Hindi, Telugu language, Telugu, and Tamil language, Tamil films. He started his career as a sound recordist for the first talkie in India, ''Alam Ara'' (1931). In 1948 he helped set ...
Edward Buzzell
Edward Buzzell (November 13, 1895 – January 11, 1985) was an American film actor and director whose credits include ''Child of Manhattan (film), Child of Manhattan'' (1933); ''Honolulu (1939 film), Honolulu'' (1939); the Marx Brothers fil ...
directed film ''
Paradise for Three
''Paradise for Three'', titled ''Romance for Three'' in the United Kingdom, is a 1938 American romantic comedy film starring Frank Morgan as a wealthy industrialist who learns about his Austrian workers by surreptitiously living among them. It wa ...
'' (1938) from Erich Kastner's novel ''Three Men in the Snow''.
1940s
In 1940, Khan played an important role in '' Achhut'', a film made to "promote Gandhi's movement against untouchability". The cast included Motilal, Gohar Sitara Devi, and
Noor Mohammed Charlie
Noor Mohammed Charlie (，1 July 1911 – 30 June 1983), popularly known as Charlie, was an Indian/ Pakistani actor born in 1911 in Ranavav village, Porbandar, Saurashtra, British India. Best known for his comedy roles, he was the first 'star' ...
. It was produced by
Chandulal Shah
Chandulal Jesangbhai Shah (13 April 1898 – 25 November 1975) was a famous director, producer and screenwriter of Indian films, who founded Ranjit Studios in 1929.
Early life
Shah was born in 1898 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, British India. He st ...
for his company
Ranjit Studios
Ranjit Studios, also known as Ranjit Movietone, was an Indian film production company with studio facilities located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It produced films between 1929 and mid-1970s. The studio was founded by Chandulal Shah along w ...
. The premiere was attended by
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ''Vallabhbhāī Jhāverbhāī Paṭel''; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was an Indian independence activist and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime ...
. In '' Bharosa'', Khan played the role of a man who leaves his wife ( Sardar Akhtar) in the care of his trusted friend ( Chandra Mohan) and his wife when he has to go abroad on work. The resulting consequences form the basis of the story. The film was directed by
Sohrab Modi
Sohrab Merwanji Modi (2 November 1897 – 28 January 1984) was an Indian stage and film actor, director and producer. His films include ''Khoon Ka Khoon'' (1935), a version of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'', ''Sikandar (1941 film), Sikandar'', '' ...
for Minerva Movietone.
In 1941, Khan acted in '' Padosi'', directed by V. Shantaram for his
Prabhat Film Company
Prabhat Film Company (popularly known as Prabhat Films) was an Indian film production company and studio facility founded in 1929 in Kolhapur. It was established by filmmaker V. Shantaram, along with Vishnupant Govind Damle, Keshav Rao Dhaibar, ...
. It was made following communal tension at the formation of Muslim League. The film showed friendly relations between the Hindus and the Muslims. To achieve a better coalition, Shantaram had Khan, a Muslim, played a Hindu character, while Gajanan Jagirdar, a Hindu, played a Muslim character. His role as Thakur garnered critical acclaim.
'' Akela'' (1941) was another box-office success of Khan's. The film was directed by Pesi Karani for producer Kikubhai Desai and co-starred Bibbo and E. Billimoria.
By January 1942, Khan had continuously worked for fourteen years in the film industry and acted in over 112 films. He directed his first film in 1942, called ''Meri Duniya'' on Hindu-Muslim unity, for National Artists, Bombay. Khan played a Sufi philosopher with
Hari Shivdasani
Hari Shivdasani (1909–1994) was an Indian character actor in Hindi cinema from 1930s to 1980s.
Personal life
Hari Shivdasani was a Sindhi Hindu from Karachi and had moved with his family to Mumbai at the time of the partition of the British ...
and Kaushalya in lead roles. Khan set up his production company, Asiatic Pictures the same year, with the foundation ceremony for its maiden production ''Yad'' (Yaad) performed by V. Shantaram.
Under his new banner Mazhar Art Productions, Khan made '' Badi Baat'' (1944) and ''Pehli Nazar'' in 1945. '' Pehli Nazar'' introduced Munawwar Sultana to the Indian film industry. The film was directed by Khan, with story, dialogues and lyrics by Safdar "Aah". Singer
Mukesh Mukesh is an epithet for the Hindu god Shiva, and literally means "conqueror of the Muka demon". It is commonly used as a male given name in India.
People with the name Mukesh include:
* Mukesh (singer) (1923–1976), Indian playback singer from ...
, who made his debut as a
playback singer
A playback singer, as they are usually known in South Asian cinema, or ghost singer in Western cinema, is a singer whose performance is pre-recorded for use in films. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and the performers lip-sync the ...
in 1941, in ''Nirdosh'', gained popularity from ''Pehli Nazar'', with the song, "Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne De" (Let The Heart Smolder), which became "an instant hit".
Personal life and death
Khan was reported to be "a boxer, a polo player, a football champ and an all-round athlete". Khan married Bollywood actress
Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Amanullah Khan (born 19 November 1951), known professionally as Zeenat Aman, is an Indian actress and model who mainly works in Hindi films. One of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema, she established herself as one of the highest paid ...
, who was Hindu, and who did not convert to Islam after marriage; they later separated. They had two sons, Anwar and Afsar. In a 2022 interview, she said that her parents-in-law refused her entry to Khan's funeral in 1998.
Khan cited directors Ezra Mir, S. F. Hasnain, A. R. Kardar, and V. Shantaram as major inspirations.
On September 24, 1950, Khan died of kidney failure in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was 45. Aman, his ex-wife, later claimed that he had been addicted to prescription drugs.