Iftekhar (इफ्तिखार) (or Iftekhar Khan) (1922–4 March 2005)^[1] was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his roles as police officers.

Early life[link]

He was born in Kanpur in 1922.

Career[link]

Iftekhar made his acting debut in 1937, with the film Qazzak Ki ladki.^[2] He acted in over 200 films in a career that spanned from the 1950s through to the early 1990s.

Like many of the older character actors who populated the Bollywood universe of the 1960s and 70s, Iftekar had been a lead actor in his youth during the 'golden age' of Bollywood in the 1940s and 50s. His roles ranged from father, uncle, great-uncle, grandfather, police officer, police commissioner, courtroom judge and doctor.

In the 1960s and 70s Iftekar graduated to playing uncle, father, and what came to be his specialty: police inspector roles. Generally he played 'sympathetic' characters but, on occasion, he played the heavy. One of his most memorable roles as a heavy was as Amitabh Bachchan's corrupt industrialist mentor in Yash Chopra's classic Deewaar (1975). Another of Iftekar's classic roles was as the police inspector in Parkash Mehra's Zanjeer. It was a small part, but the scene where Iftekar reprimands the near hysteric Amitabh Bachchan for taking the law into his own hands is incredibly powerful. Another important role as a police officer was played by him in 1978's Don.

Besides Deewaar and Zanjeer Iftekar had character roles in many of the classics of 1960s and 70s Bollywood cinema: Bimal Roy's Bandini, Raj Kapoor's Sangam, Manoj Kumar's Shaheed, Teesri Manzil, Teesri Kasam, Johnny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Don, The Gambler, and Sholay to name but a few.

Apart from Hindi films he appeared in two episodes of the American TV series Maya in 1967 as well the English language films Bombay Talkie (1970) and City of Joy (1992).

His sister Veena was an actress and acted in movies like Do Raste and others.

Filmography[link]

• Kala Coat (1993) .... Professor Khurana
• Bekhudi (1992) (as Iftekhar Khan)
• Khule-Aam (1992) (as Iftikhar) .... Col. Pratap Singh Rana
• City of Joy (1992) .... Hasari's Father
• Jaan-E-Wafa (1990)
• Shiva (1989/I) (as Iftekhar) .... Principal
• Nocturne indien (1989) .... Le professeur de théosophie
• Na-Insaafi (1989) .... Khanna (Ravi's dad)
• Farz Ki Jung (1989) .... Mr. Walia
• Akanksha (1989) (TV) (as Iftekhar) .... Employer
• Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) .... Police Commissioner
• Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga (1988) (as Iftekhar) .... Inspector General of Police
• Commando (1988) (uncredited) .... Restaurant Manager
• Falak (The Sky) (1988) .... Mr. D'Souza
• Tamacha (1988) (as Iftekhar) .... Senior Officer
• Main Tere Liye (1988) .... Advocate Mehta
• Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987) .... Doctor
• Itihaas (1987) (as Iftekhar) .... Senior Police Officer
• Nazrana (1987) .... Advocate
• Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) .... Senior Police Officer
• Marte Dam Tak (1987) .... D.C.P. Lal
• Avam (1987) .... Ram Kumar
• Zindagani (1986) (as Iftekhar) .... Mr. Thakur - Sumitra Devi's Father
• Tan-Badan (1986) (uncredited) .... Diwan Devendra Pratap
• Bhagwaan Dada (1986) .... Doctor
• Locket (1986) ....
• Angaarey (1986) (as Iftekhar) .... Khan Chacha
• Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1985) .... Target's Managing Partner
• Jaanoo (1985) .... Dr. Prabha's senior
• Ek Daku Saher Mein (1985) (as Iftikhar) .... Jailor Shaukat Hussain
• Meri Jung (1985) .... Garewal Saab
• Hum Dono (1985) .... Seth. Mathura Das
• Misaal (1985) .... Nath Saab
• Yudh (1985) .... Commissioner
• Tawaif (1985) .... Lala Fakirchand
• Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985)
• Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) .... Mohamed Riyaz
• Salma (1985) (as Iftikhar) .... Ustadji
• Yaar Kasam (1985)
• Aakhri Chaal (1985) (TV)
• Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan (1984) .... Akhtar Mirza
• Jagir (1984) .... I.G. Praveen Singh
• Phulwari (1984) .... Chowdhury
• Ram Tera Desh (1984) .... Police Commissioner
• Maqsad (1984) .... Doctor
• Boxer (1984) .... Rushie
• Inquilaab (1984) .... Bombay Police Commissioner
• Mashaal (1984) .... Doctor
• Grahasthi (1984) .... Karim
• Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) .... Police Commissioner Samant
• Aaj Ki Awaz (1984) .... Judge V.V. Deshmukh
• Awaaz (1984) .... Police Commissioner
• Dharam Aur Kanoon (1984) .... Dr. John
• The Far Pavilions (TV) .... Nakshaband Khan (1 episode, 1984)
• Part Three: 'Wally and Anjuli' (1984) TV episode (as Iftekhar) .... Nakshaband Khan
• Mawaali (1983) .... Public Prosecutor
• Qayamat (1983) .... Retired Judge Sinha
• Mahaan (1983) (uncredited) .... Police Commissioner
• Sun Meri Laila (1983) .... Abid Khan
• Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
• Sadma (1983) .... Train Passenger
• Main Awara Hoon (1983) .... Dr. Rashid
• Dharti Aakash (1983) (TV) .... Saddanand Chowdhury
• Haadsaa (1983) .... Police Inspector
• Mazdoor (1983) .... Kundanlal Batra
• Rishta Kagaz Ka (1983) .... Bhatnagar
• Nikaah (1982) .... Jumman Chacha
• Sun Sajna (1982) .... Karim
• Rajput (1982) .... Ram Avtaar Singh
• Yeh Vaada Raha (1982) .... Dr. Sahni
• Saath Saath (1982) .... Mr. Gupta
• Apradhi Kaun? (1982) .... Mr. Khanna (public prosecutor)
• Mangal Pandey (1982) (uncredited) .... Police Superintendent R.P. Gupta
• Dil Hi Dil Mein (1982) .... Mr. Sahni
• Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) .... Rita's dad
• Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) .... Dr. Dixit
• Baseraa (1981) .... Dr. B.K. Gokhale
• Sannata (1981)
• Harjaee (1981) .... Dr. Gupta
• Rocky (1981) .... Dr. Bhagwandas
• Wardaat (1981) .... Chief
• Khoon Aur Paani (1981) .... DSP Khan
• Agni Pareeksha (1981) .... Psychiatrist Dr. Sen
• Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) .... Colonel (Diana's dad)
• Krodhi (1981) .... Commissioner of Police
• Bezubaan (1981) .... Amarnath - Kalpana's dad
• Raksha (1981) .... Chief of Secret Services
• Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) .... The Judge
• Humkadam (1980) .... Dr. Farid
• Dostana (1980) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• Karz (1980) .... Dr. Daniel
• Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)
• The Burning Train (1980) .... Railway Board Chair Jagmohan
• Zalim (1980)
• Bombay 405 Miles (1980) .... Ranvir Singh
• Maan Abhiman (1980) .... Thakur Sumer Singh
• Kaala Patthar (1979) .... Mr. Singh
• Surakshaa (1979) .... CBI Head (as Iftakar)
• Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) .... Police Inspector
• The Great Gambler (1979) .... Deepchand
• Shikshaa (1979) .... Rai Bahadur Dwarka Das Gupta
• Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) .... Inspector Shinde
• Mr. Natwarlal (1979).... Natwar's Brother
• Noorie (1979) .... Ghulam Nabi
• Trishul (1978) .... Mr. P.L. Varma
• Don (1978) (as Iftekhar) .... DSP D'Silva
• Bandie (1978) .... Senapati Raghuvir Singh
• Ganga Ki Saugand (1978) .... Gupta
• Vishwanath (1978)
• Khatta Meetha (1978) .... Mr. Cooper (lawyer)
• Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) .... Commissioner Kotwal
• Khoon Ki Pukaar (1978) .... Khan
• Phaansi (1978) .... Retired Sub-Inspector Mahendra Pratap Singh
• Besharam (1978) .... Police Commissioner
• Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) .... Dr. Pradhan
• Janam Janam Na Saath (1977)
• Paapi (1977) .... Inspector (Raj Kumar's foster father)
• Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977) .... Dr. Farid
• Chandi Sona (1977) .... Police Commissioner
• Agent Vinod (1977) .... Madanlal
• Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) .... Deepak's Father
• Karm (1977) .... Judge Shyamlal Kumar
• Apnapan(1977) .... Kishan Agarwal
• Zindagi (1976) .... Verma
• Fakira (1976) .... Commissioner Sujit (Neeta's Father)
• Jaaneman (1976) .... Police Commissioner
• Kabhi Kabhie - Love Is Life (1976) (uncredited) .... Mr. Malhotra
• Laila Majnu (1976) .... Emir Sharwari
• Gumrah (1976) .... Professor Gupta
• Ek Se Badhkar Ek (1976) (uncredited) .... Police Commissioner
• Sholay (1975) .... Narmalaji (Radha's father)
• Zakhmee (1975) .... Judge Ashok Ganguly
• Chori Mera Kaam (1975) (as Iftikar) .... Police Commissioner
• Dharmatma (1975) .... Vikram Singh
• Ek Hans Ka Jora (1975) .... Tina's father
• Saazish (1975) .... Interpol Officer Mohanlal Saxena
• Jaan Hazir Hai (1975)
• Deewaar (1975) .... Mulk Raj Dhabaria
• Aakhri Dao (1975) .... Inspector Khurana
• Mazaaq (1975) .... Moushumi's Father
• Khel Khel Mein (1975) .... Inspector Bhupendra Singh / Black Cobra
• Majboor (1974) .... Police Inspector Khurana
• Benaam (1974) (as Iftekhar) .... Police Commissioner
• Call Girl (1974) .... Sonachand
• Patthar Aur Payal(1974) .... DIG B.K. Varma
• Chor Chor (1974)
• Badla (1974) .... DSP Lobo
• Jeevan Sangram (1974) .... Police Inspector
• Zehreela Insaan (1974) .... Principal Vishamber Nath
• 36 Ghante (1974) .... Vijay's Father
• Ujala Hi Ujala (1974) .... Mr. Jamuna Prasad
• Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) .... Ghumli
• Woh Main Nahin (1974)
• Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) .... Seth Dhanraj
• Joshila (1973)
• Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) .... Diwanji
• Zanjeer (1973) .... Police Commissioner Singh
• Loafer(1973) .... Police Commissioner
• Raja Rani (1973) .... Suresh's Father
• Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) .... Inspector Singh
• Black Mail (1973) .... Mr. Mehta
• Gaddar (1973) .... 'Professor'
• Achanak(1973) .... Colonel Bakshi
• Anamika (1973) .... Dr. Irshad Husain
• Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972)
• Jawani Diwani (1972) .... Thakur
• Dastaan (1972) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972)
• Parchhaiyan (1972)
• Pyaar Diwana (1972)
• Rani Mera Naam(1972)
• Apradh (1972) .... Police Inspector
• Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) .... Vijay's Captain
• Zindagi Zindagi (1972) .... Ismail
• Hare Raama Hare Krishna (1971) .... IGP
• Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) .... Ram's Friend
• Gambler (1971)
• Mehboob Ki Mehndi(1971) .... Nawab Safdarjung
• Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1971) .... Dr. Verma
• Sharmeelee (1971) .... Colonel
• Elaan (1971) .... Police Chief
• Bombay Talkie (1970) .... Vizarat Khan
• Johny Mera Naam(1970) .... Chief Inspector Mehta
• Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970) .... Raja Sahab (Anuradha's dad)
• The Train (1970) .... Police Commissioner
• Prem Pujari (1970) .... Indian Army Officer
• Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970)
• Bhai-Bhai (1970)
• Sawan Bhadon (1970)
• Safar (1970) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• My Love (1970) .... Doctor
• Ittefaq(1969) .... Inspector Karwe
• Intaquam (1969) .... Police Inspector
• Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) .... Keshav
• Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) .... Saxena
• Rahgir (1969)
• Sajan (1969) .... Police Inspector
• Khamoshi (1969) .... Doctor
• Do Dooni Char (1968)
• Sunghursh (1968) .... Shankar B. Prasad
• Hamraaz(1967) .... Advocate Jagmohan Kumar
• Maya .... Jank Bahadur / ... (2 episodes, 1967)
• Duniya Nachegi(1967)
• Sagaai (1966) .... Hospital doctor
• Phool Aur Patthar (1966) (as Iftikhar) .... Babu
• Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) .... Police Inspector
• Teesri Kasam (1966) .... Zamindar Vikram Singh
• Teesri Manzil (1966) .... Police Inspector
• Guide(1965) .... Inspector
• Shaheed (1965) .... Public Prosecutor - Lahore
• Cha Cha Cha (1964) .... Family doctor
• Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964)
• Sangam (1964) .... Indian Air Force Officer
• Shehnai (1964)
• Apne Huye Paraye (1964) .... Public Prosecutor
• Grahasti(1963) .... Harish's brother-in-law
• Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) .... Prakash
• Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) .... Ashok Kumar's junior lawyer
• Bandini (1963) .... Chutti Babu
• Pathan (1962)
• Rangoli (1962) .... Police Inspector
• Professor (1962) .... Artist
• Soorat Aur Seerat (1962)
• Zamana Badal Gaya (1961)
• Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961)
• Dark Street (1961)
• Chhabili (1960)
• Kalpana (1960) .... Johar
• Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1959) .... Public Prosecutor
• Kangan (1959) .... Ramesh Bhatia
• Night Club (1958)
• Dilli Ka Thug (1958)
• Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) .... Police Inspector
• Samundari Daku (1956)
• Jagte Raho (1956) .... Chandu (Leader)
• Shree 420 (1955) .... Police Inspector
• Society (1955)
• Devdas (1955) .... Bhijudas
• Biraj Bahu(1954) .... Kishorilal, Deodhar's assistant
• Mirza Ghalib (1954) .... Badshah
• Ek Do Teen (1953)
• Saqi (1952)
• Ashiana (1952) .... Jeevan
• Sagai (1951) .... Chandni's dad
• Ghar (1945)
• Rajlaxmi (1945)
• Fashionable Wife (1938)
• Qazzak Ki Ladki (1937)

Self:

• Aaj Ka Daur (1985) .... Wealthy man

References[link]

External links[link]

• Iftekhar at the Internet Movie Database
• Iftekhar www.myasia.net.

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