In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about a very stylish actor who never got his due from Bollywood. During his career, he got slotted as a supporting actor only, and most of his hit films were of this genre. He first acted as a hero in some B-grade films but during the latter part of his career, he started getting the leading man’s role. Friends I am talking about FEROZ KHAN.
He was born on 25th September 1939 in Bangalore. His original name was Zulfiqar Ali Shah Khan. He made his acting debut in the 1960 film Didi as a side artist. He came into the limelight with Oonche Log (1965), after that he acted in some B-grade films also. But with the 1965 film Arzoo he got slotted as a supporting actor.
There will never be another Feroz Khan. He was by far the coolest actor in India. He spent most of the 1960s playing the guy who loses the heroine to another guy, mostly played by actors who did not have even half of his charm. Losing Saira Banu to Dharmendra in Aadmi Aur Insaan (1970) is ok, as Dharmendra was equally handsome, and Sharmila Tagore to Rajesh Khanna in Safar (1970). Bit how he could lose Mumtaz to Sanjay Khan (his real-life brother) in Mela and Upasana, both 1970 films
In the 1970s he reinvented his career as a leading man and became Indian cinema’s cowboy in Khote Sikkay (1973) and Kala Sona (1975). By the mid-1970s it was clear Bollywood could not decide where to position this urbane cowboy. It was time for him to create his own destiny by becoming a producer & director in the 1970s.
His first film as producer/director was a slick action thriller Apradh (1972) with Mumtaz as his leading lady. The film’s main portion was shot in Germany. The film was a big success. In 1974, he adopted Godfather and named it Dharmatama with Premnath in title role and Feroz as his son. He had two heroines in this film, Hema Malini and Rekha. The film was a huge success with some wonderful music. A major part of the film was shot in Afghanistan.
Then in 1980 came his most successful film Qurbani, with Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman & Amjad Khan. He spared no effort to make the film very stylish production value. The film had a piece of wonderful music and the song “ Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mein Aaye” became the cult song of the 80s. He made two more films in this decade Jaanbaaz (1986) and Dayavan(1988). Both these films were successful.
His other successful films as an actor were Reporter Raju (1962), Raat Aur Din (1967), CID 909 (1967), Kashmakash (1973), Geeta Mera Naam (1974), International Crook (1974), Naagin (1975), Yalgaar (1992), Welcome (2007).
He launched his son Fardeen Khan in Prem Aggan (1998) and again directed him in Janasheen( 2003).
He had married Sundari Khan in 1965 and they divorced in 1985. They had two children son Fardeen Khan and a daughter Laila Khan.
In the early part of the 2000s, he was detected with Lung Cancer, and he succumbed to cancer on 27th April 2009.
Some of the famous songs picturised on him
1 Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wohi Baat Karenge- 1970 –Safar (Film), Mukesh (Singer), Indeevar (Lyricist), Kalyanji Anand Ji (Music Director). On-screen with Sharmila Tagore.
2 Dil Ki Girah Khol Do Chup Na Baitho- 1967 Raat Aur Din-Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On-screen with Nargis.
3 Darpan Ko Dekha Tune Jab Jab Kiya Shringar-1970-Upasana (F), Mukesh (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen with Mumtaz.
4 Jeevan Mein Tu Darna Nahin- 1973-Khottey Sikkay (F), Kishore Kumar (S, Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD)
5 Tere Chehre Mein Who Jaadu Hai- 1975- Dharmatma (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen with Hema Malini.
6 Kya Khoob Lagti Ho, Badi Sundar Dikhti Ho- 1975- Dharmatma (F), Mukesh & Kanchan (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen with Hema Malini
7 Allah Ko Pyari Hai Qurbani- 1980-Qurbani- Kishore Kumar & Anwar (S), Farooque Kaiser (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen with Vinod Khanna.
8 Har Kisi Ko Nahin Milta Pyar Zindagi Mein- 1986 –Jannabaz (F), Indeevar (L), Manhar Udhas & Sadhana Sargam (S)., Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen with Sridevi
9 Chahe Meri Jaan Tu Lele- 1988- Dayavan- Jolly Mukherjee (S), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On-screen with Vinod Khanna
Hope you liked the above info.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th May 2021
R. N. Mungale.
I liked the information .
Sapna wadhwa
I was not aware of his original name.
Sapna wadhwa
I was not aware of his original name.
Thanks.