This star writer-actor who grew up in red-light area, was a construction worker, later did over 300 films, carved career of Amitabh Bachchan, he is...

When we talk about Bollywood's popular writers, Salim-Javed instantly pop into our minds. However, apart from this talented duo, there was another talented mind who wrote dialogues for several blockbusters of the 1970s and 1980s. In an old interview, Amitabh Bachchan admitted that this popular writer-actor has given him an identity in Bollywood. Hailing from the lower middle class, this talented gem of Bollywood was born and brought up in the red light area of Mumbai, Kamathipura, but with his hard work and dedication, he went on to become one of the most proficient writers and actors. He's none other than Kader Khan. 

Kader Khan's background

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, on October 22, 1937, Kader Khan had three brothers, Shams ur Rehman, Fazal Rehman and Habib ur Rehman. Later, Khan and his family moved from Kabul and were migrated to the Kamathipura neighbourhood of Mumbai. Khan used to stay in a slum with his family. His friends, along with other locality kids, were busy doing odd jobs to earn Rs 2 per day. Kader thought to do the same, to support the family. But at that time, his mother advised him to complete his studies and not opt for shortcuts or daily wages, else he would be stuck in poverty forever.

Who discovered Kader Khan? 

Kader enlisted in a local municipal school and later Ismail Yusuf College, where he graduated in Engineering, specialising in Civil Engineering. Between 1970 and 1975, he worked as a professor at M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering in Byculla. While teaching, he used to perform a play named Taash Ke Patey, where he got noticed by Dilip Kumar. The late acting legend approached him and signed him up for his next films- Sagina and Bairaag. Soon Dilip found his true calling and started writing plays for theatres, and was offered to write the script of Jawani Diwani, for which he reportedly got Rs 1500 to co-write the film. 

Kader Khan's journey from writer to actor 

Rajesh Khanna gave him the break as a dialogue writer in his film Roti, and thereafter, he wrote dialogue for his films, Maha Chor, Chhailla Babu, Dharam Kanta, Fifty Fifty, Naya Kadam, and Masterji. Kader further wrote the script and screenplay for blockbusters, including Himmatwala, Jaani Dost, Sarfarosh, Justice Chaudhury, Farz Aur Kanoon, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Tohfa, Qaidi and Haisiyat. Khan also played an important role in carving Amitabh Bachchan's career by penning dialogue and screenplay in Mr Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Do Aur Do Paanch, Satte Pe Satta, Inquilab, Giraftaar, Hum and Agneepath. With Daag, he also ventured in acting, and started playing character roles, mostly comic relief in the films. A few of his popular titles include  Bol Radha Bol, Aankhen, Taqdeerwala, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dulhe Raja, Coolie No. 1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Sooryavansham, Judaai, Aunty No. 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Raja Babu.

Watch Kader Khan speaking about his rift with Amitabh Bachchan

Kader Khan was ignored by Bollywood? 

In his last few years, Kader Khan moved to Toronto, Canada, due to health issues. The Coolie No. 1 actor suffered from supranuclear palsy, a degenerative disease. After battling with disease for years, Kader Khan passed away on December 31, 2018. In an interview, Kader Khan's son, Sarfaraz, said that his father was ignored by the film industry.