Actor Mushtaq Khan, who appeared in dozens of films during his long career, became widely recognised for his memorable role in Anees Bazmee’s 2007 comedy Welcome. His dialogue, “Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bahut bada player tha,” became one of the film’s most remembered moments. Following the actor’s death on Thursday, director Anees Bazmee recalled how the scene came together and how the role became a defining part of Khan’s career.
Speaking to ANI, Bazmee said Mushtaq Khan was initially given a small part in the film, with no major dialogue. He recalled, “I didn’t have any major role for Mushtaq Khan initially. I told him the same and shared that he would be standing behind the bodyguard, but assured him to do something. He loved me so much that he came.”
A few days into the shoot, Khan told the director that he still did not have any lines. Bazmee then decided to create a separate scene for him and said he ‘sat through the night’ writing it. He also spoke to Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor about the sequence.
“I told Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor that they won’t speak, but the man behind them will. They are such good actors, and they are my good friends. They readily agreed,” Bazmee recalled.
The scene introduced the dialogue, “Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bahut bada player tha.” It went on to become one of the film’s most popular lines. Bazmee said Khan often spoke about how audiences continued to recognise him because of it.
“I remember Mushtaq Khan told me some time back, ‘Believe me. I have done so many films, but people still recognise me. Wherever I go, they ask me to say the dialogue’,” the filmmaker added.
Welcome, which released in 2007, featured Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal, Mallika Sherawat and Feroz Khan. Mushtaq Khan played a member of the gang led by Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar’s characters.
Khan passed away on Thursday evening after reportedly battling lung cancer. His business partner Shivam confirmed the news to HT City, saying the actor had been admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital after the cancer relapsed. He was in critical condition and died in the ICU.
The actor’s death prompted tributes from colleagues and friends across the film industry.
