From struggling to pay a hospital bill to becoming an iconic villain, the life of Bollywood legend Amjad Khan was a testament to perseverance, marked by a near-fatal accident and a premature end.
The Early Roadblocks and a Crucial Debt
Amjad Khan, son of veteran actor Jayant, started his acting journey with minor roles as a child. Despite his lineage, his early career saw significant struggles, particularly after his official debut in 1977’s Hindustan Ki Kasam.
A poignant moment in his early life was when his wife gave birth to their son, Shadaab. Amjad found himself unable to pay the hospital bill of just Rs 400, leaving him embarrassed and ashamed to face his family.
It was director Chetan Anand, who had worked with him on Hindustan Ki Kasam, who stepped in to pay the bill, providing much-needed relief during a desperate time for the budding actor.
The Birth of Gabbar Singh
Remarkably, the same day his son was born, Amjad Khan signed the film that would change his destiny: ‘Sholay’. This iconic role, Gabbar Singh, was initially envisioned for actor Danny Denzongpa, but scheduling conflicts led to him backing out.
This turn of events opened the door for Amjad. Screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, impressed by his raw talent, recommended him for the villainous role, setting the stage for a cinematic legend.
Facing the Axe on Set
Amjad approached the role of Gabbar Singh with intense dedication. He went to great lengths, even buying army fatigues from Chor Bazaar and blackening his teeth, to embody the character’s rugged persona.
However, initial days of filming were fraught with nervousness. Director Ramesh Sippy and Amjad struggled to find the right tone for Gabbar, leading to poor takes and whispers among the crew about replacing him. Both Salim-Javed and Sippy even worried his voice wasn’t powerful enough.
Despite these concerns, Sippy decided to give Amjad another chance, a decision that cemented one of Indian cinema’s most unforgettable villains.
A Lingering Grudge
While ‘Sholay’ propelled Amjad Khan to superstardom, a hidden tension arose. Once Amjad learned that Salim-Javed had suggested replacing him or dubbing his voice, he felt deeply hurt.
This personal slight was so profound that Amjad Khan reportedly never worked with the acclaimed writing duo, Salim-Javed, or director Ramesh Sippy again after ‘Sholay’.
A Near-Fatal Accident and Its Aftermath
Just a year after ‘Sholay’s’ release, Amjad Khan suffered a severe car accident while traveling to Goa. The impact left him unconscious with a punctured lung, necessitating immediate surgery.
In a critical moment, his ‘Sholay’ co-star and close friend, Amitabh Bachchan, stepped in. Bachchan signed the crucial hospital admission papers, ensuring Amjad received life-saving surgery when no one else would take responsibility.
This incident forged an even stronger bond between the two actors. Although Amjad survived and recovered, the physical trauma from the accident had long-term health consequences, including significant weight gain that deteriorated his condition over the years.
Legacy and Final Curtain
Despite his health struggles, Amjad Khan continued to deliver powerful performances in numerous films post-‘Sholay’, including Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’. He also shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in many hits like ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ and ‘Satte Pe Satta’.
Sadly, the lingering effects of his 1976 accident and his worsening health led to his premature passing at the age of 48 in 1992.
- Amjad Khan faced severe financial hardship, including being unable to pay a hospital bill, before his ‘Sholay’ breakthrough.
- He almost lost the iconic role of Gabbar Singh due to initial struggles and voice concerns during filming.
- A profound hurt led him to never collaborate with Salim-Javed or Ramesh Sippy again after ‘Sholay’.
- A near-fatal car accident left him with lasting health issues, contributing to his early demise.
Amjad Khan’s journey reminds us of the hidden struggles behind some of cinema’s brightest stars.
From struggling to pay a hospital bill to becoming an iconic villain, the life of Bollywood legend Amjad Khan was a testament to perseverance, marked by a near-fatal accident and a premature end.
The Early Roadblocks and a Crucial Debt
Amjad Khan, son of veteran actor Jayant, started his acting journey with minor roles as a child. Despite his lineage, his early career saw significant struggles, particularly after his official debut in 1977’s Hindustan Ki Kasam.
A poignant moment in his early life was when his wife gave birth to their son, Shadaab. Amjad found himself unable to pay the hospital bill of just Rs 400, leaving him embarrassed and ashamed to face his family.
It was director Chetan Anand, who had worked with him on Hindustan Ki Kasam, who stepped in to pay the bill, providing much-needed relief during a desperate time for the budding actor.
The Birth of Gabbar Singh
Remarkably, the same day his son was born, Amjad Khan signed the film that would change his destiny: ‘Sholay’. This iconic role, Gabbar Singh, was initially envisioned for actor Danny Denzongpa, but scheduling conflicts led to him backing out.
This turn of events opened the door for Amjad. Screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, impressed by his raw talent, recommended him for the villainous role, setting the stage for a cinematic legend.
Facing the Axe on Set
Amjad approached the role of Gabbar Singh with intense dedication. He went to great lengths, even buying army fatigues from Chor Bazaar and blackening his teeth, to embody the character’s rugged persona.
However, initial days of filming were fraught with nervousness. Director Ramesh Sippy and Amjad struggled to find the right tone for Gabbar, leading to poor takes and whispers among the crew about replacing him. Both Salim-Javed and Sippy even worried his voice wasn’t powerful enough.
Despite these concerns, Sippy decided to give Amjad another chance, a decision that cemented one of Indian cinema’s most unforgettable villains.
A Lingering Grudge
While ‘Sholay’ propelled Amjad Khan to superstardom, a hidden tension arose. Once Amjad learned that Salim-Javed had suggested replacing him or dubbing his voice, he felt deeply hurt.
This personal slight was so profound that Amjad Khan reportedly never worked with the acclaimed writing duo, Salim-Javed, or director Ramesh Sippy again after ‘Sholay’.
A Near-Fatal Accident and Its Aftermath
Just a year after ‘Sholay’s’ release, Amjad Khan suffered a severe car accident while traveling to Goa. The impact left him unconscious with a punctured lung, necessitating immediate surgery.
In a critical moment, his ‘Sholay’ co-star and close friend, Amitabh Bachchan, stepped in. Bachchan signed the crucial hospital admission papers, ensuring Amjad received life-saving surgery when no one else would take responsibility.
This incident forged an even stronger bond between the two actors. Although Amjad survived and recovered, the physical trauma from the accident had long-term health consequences, including significant weight gain that deteriorated his condition over the years.
Legacy and Final Curtain
Despite his health struggles, Amjad Khan continued to deliver powerful performances in numerous films post-‘Sholay’, including Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’. He also shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in many hits like ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ and ‘Satte Pe Satta’.
Sadly, the lingering effects of his 1976 accident and his worsening health led to his premature passing at the age of 48 in 1992.
- Amjad Khan faced severe financial hardship, including being unable to pay a hospital bill, before his ‘Sholay’ breakthrough.
- He almost lost the iconic role of Gabbar Singh due to initial struggles and voice concerns during filming.
- A profound hurt led him to never collaborate with Salim-Javed or Ramesh Sippy again after ‘Sholay’.
- A near-fatal car accident left him with lasting health issues, contributing to his early demise.
Amjad Khan’s journey reminds us of the hidden struggles behind some of cinema’s brightest stars.
