Mumbai: Veteran actor Raza Murad has expressed disappointment over the absence of prominent film industry personalities at the funeral of actor Mushtaq Khan, who died on September 24 following an illness.
Mushtaq Khan’s last rites were performed on September 25. In a video shared on Instagram, Murad questioned why more leading names from the film industry did not attend the funeral to pay their final respects to the veteran actor.
Murad said the absence of major stars was unfortunate and stressed that Khan deserved a final farewell from colleagues who had worked alongside him during his long career.
Raza Murad says ‘no big face’ attended
Speaking in the video, Murad said, “Afsoos baat yeh hai koi bhi star unhe apna aakhiri salaam pesh karne nahi aaya,” which means that it was sad that no star came to offer his final salute.
He further said, “koi bada chehra nahi aaya,” questioning the absence of prominent faces from the industry.
Murad did not name any specific actor or filmmaker while making his remarks. Instead, he spoke more broadly about the industry’s response to the death of a fellow actor.
He also pointed out that people could have made time to attend the funeral, referring to the limited amount of time required to be present for the final farewell.
The actor used the occasion to reflect on the temporary nature of fame and wealth and called for greater humility among people working in the entertainment industry.
Murad remembers Mushtaq Khan’s career
Murad also highlighted Khan’s journey in the film industry and described him as someone who built his career through his own work.
He said Khan did not rely on flattering influential people to make his way in the industry and instead reached his position through his performances.
The remarks were therefore not limited to the attendance at the funeral. Murad used Khan’s death to make a broader point about the value of relationships and professional recognition within the film fraternity.
His comments have drawn attention because Mushtaq Khan was a familiar face to Hindi film audiences and had worked across several commercially successful movies during his career.
Mushtaq Khan’s final days
Mushtaq Khan had been hospitalised in the days before his death.
His son, Mohsin Khan, later spoke about his father’s illness and final days during a conversation with ANI.
According to Mohsin, the illness initially appeared to be at an early stage but progressed rapidly.
“Yes. For the past little while, he was dealing with an illness… Well, he wasn’t distressed at all, because his end came with a smile,” Mohsin said.
He confirmed that his father had cancer and said the disease became aggressive and advanced through the stages quickly.
Mohsin also urged people to remember his father for his life and work rather than focusing only on his death.
He said the actor remained spirited despite his illness and described his final moments as peaceful.
Known for memorable supporting roles
Mushtaq Khan worked extensively in Hindi cinema and became known for his supporting performances in films across different genres.
Among the movies associated with his career are Welcome, Aashiqui, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Gadar, Hera Pheri and Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke.
His appearance in Welcome introduced him to another generation of mainstream Hindi cinema audiences, while his work in several other popular films established him as a recognisable supporting actor.
Although he was not generally positioned as a leading star, his long filmography reflected the important role character and supporting actors play in Hindi cinema.
Raza Murad stresses the fleeting nature of fame
Towards the end of his video message, Murad shifted the focus from the funeral attendance to the broader lessons he believed could be drawn from Khan’s death.
He emphasised that fame and wealth do not last forever and suggested that people in the industry should remain grounded despite professional success.
His comments came as a reflection on the way the film fraternity remembers its members after their deaths.
By questioning the absence of prominent colleagues, Murad also brought attention to the importance of personal connections within an industry where actors often work together across decades.
A career that spanned decades
Mushtaq Khan’s career covered a substantial period of Hindi cinema, during which he appeared in films featuring several generations of actors.
His work largely involved supporting and character roles, allowing him to contribute to stories without necessarily being the central lead.
That body of work made him a recognisable presence for audiences, particularly through appearances in popular commercial films.
His death has prompted colleagues and viewers to look back at those performances and his contribution to Hindi cinema.
Funeral attendance sparks discussion
Murad’s comments have added another dimension to the public discussion surrounding Khan’s death.
Rather than focusing only on the actor’s filmography, Murad questioned the level of representation from the wider film industry at the final rites.
His remarks were framed around the idea that colleagues should make time to honour an actor who spent years contributing to the industry.
At the same time, the absence of particular personalities at a funeral does not by itself establish their reasons for not attending, and Murad did not identify specific individuals in his comments.
Mushtaq Khan’s legacy
For audiences, Mushtaq Khan’s legacy remains closely connected with the many supporting and character roles he played in Hindi films.
From Aashiqui and Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke to Gadar, Hera Pheri, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Welcome, his performances formed part of films that remain familiar to Hindi cinema audiences.
As tributes continue following his death, Murad’s comments have prompted discussion about how the industry remembers its veteran performers.
While Murad questioned the low turnout at Khan’s funeral, his larger message centred on the temporary nature of fame and wealth and the importance of valuing people and their contributions during their lifetime.