Obituary: Kader Khan, the king of emotions and dialogues bids adieu

The screenwriter, dialogue writer and actor gave Hindi cinema some unforgettable films
Kader Khan
Kader Khan

It's hard to fathom how an artiste who made the entire country laugh with his boisterous comic roles and unforgettable dialogues was actually suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a disease that causes difficulty in walking and dementia. Sadly, quite like many other dynamic artistes from his era who left this world silently, Kader Khan too, having given the industry some classic films, dialogues and characters, departed in the same way.

While most people would remember Kader Khan for his comedy during the 1980s and '90s, film buffs will agree that among actors who played supporting characters since the '70s, he was one of the most dependable names. From playing a prosecutor, a cop, a heroine's dad, a rich man, a beggar, a sidekick, and a doctor, to a villain, he was versatile to the hilt. Right from his debut film Daag, Khan made a mark with his effortless acting, dialogue delivery and screen presence. 

If we take a look at his nearly five decade-long career, some of his work that stands out includes films like Jawani Diwani (as a script writer), Roti, Himmatwala, Tohfa, Mr Natwarlal, Satte Pe Satta, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Karma, Agneepath (as screenwriter and dialogues writer) and his roles in films like Khoon Bhari Maang, Bol Radha Bol, Taqdeerwala and Main Khiladi Tu Anari.

What made Khan's stories and dialogues work was the originality of the ideas in them. Whether it was the twists and turns in the Amitabh Bachchan-, Shatrughan Sinha-, Rishi Kapoor-starrer Naseeb, the relatable storyline of Jawani Diwani, or the dialogues in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Kaalia and Do Aur Do Paanch, Khan always added a sense of punch, with some insightful observations. His role as the wicked uncle in Rakesh Roshan's Khoon Bhari Maang revealed another facet to the talented actor. During the same decade, Khan also showed his comic side as Munim Ji in Himmatwala, and as the affable and dutiful husband in films like Biwi Ho Toh Aisi, Ghar Ho Toh Aisa and later during the '90s in Saajan.

Although the list is endless, one actor with whom Khan gave some big hits and memorable characters was Govinda. This 'jodi' worked even better than the lead pair of most of their films. It was Khan's and Govinda's comic chemistry, not just timing, that lit up the screen. Their films together like Coolie No.1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Aunty No.1, Dulhe Raja and Aankhen remain timeless comedies of Hindi cinema.

Today, as the multi-faceted actor bids adieu to the world, we salute him with a little ditty of his from the film from Amar Akbar Anthony: Apan famous aadmi, bada bada paper mein apanka chota chota photo chapta hai (I'm a famous guy, in the biggest of newspapers, they print small pictures of mine).' Rest in peace, Kader Khan. You will never be forgotten.
 

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