I Khan't Keep Track!
a brief ramble on bollywood's many khans
by
Faizan Qureshi
©
bollywhat.com 2003-2004
Bollywood
is virtually ruled by "The Khans." Most new Bollywood
addicts often ask, "Are they all related?" Well,
yes and no. Khan is a common Muslim surname in India, and there
are lots of different film families who share it.
Let's
start with one of the very first, and most famous, of the Khans:
YUSUF KHAN, a legendary actor better known by his screen
name of Dilip Kumar. During the 1940s, the decade which saw
the mass bloodshed of Partition and the birth of Pakistan, strife
between Hindu and Muslim communities was at an all-time high.
Yusuf therefore decided it would be a good career move to adopt
an identifiably Hindu name. One of his most famous movies was
"Devdas" by Bimal Roy (a film remade in 2002 by Sanjay
Leela Bansali, starring another Khan, Shahrukh). Dilip Kumar
later got married to the famous 60's Bollywood actress Saira
Banu. Unfortunately, they had no children.
Dilip
Kumar has a nephew in the film industry, AYUB KHAN ,
who acted in some of the light romances of the 1990s. If you're
not sure who he is, watch Farhan Akhtar's "Dil Chahta Hai",
in which he plays Preity Zinta's macho boyfriend.
Next
on my check list is AMJAD KHAN, another celebrity considered
the "villian of all time" thanks to his role as Gabbar
Singh in Sholay. He has now stopped acting, but the family tradition
continues via his son SHABAAB KHAN, who starred opposite
Rani Mukherji in her first Hindi film, "Raja Ki Aayegi
Baraat."
FEROZ
KHAN? I knew you'd be wondering about him. Feroz acted in
some of the great hits of the 1970s, and has since produced
and directed a number of films, the most successful of which
was the blockbuster "Qurbani" (famous for the songs
sung by the late Nazia Hassan, and the great dance skills of
Zeenat Aman). Feroz is now back to directing now; his next project
is a film called "Jaanasheen" starring his son, up-and-coming
screen idol FARDEEN KHAN.
Oh,
did I forget to mention that Feroz's brother is none other than
SANJAY KHAN? Sanjay is now best known for being the father
of Suzanne Khan Roshan, the wife of (Hindu) superstar Hrithik
Roshan.
KADER
KHAN is a famous comedian who can be seen in some movies
as an extra. As far as we know, he is not yet related to anyone.
The
most famous Khan of the century, sometimes called the King Khan,
does not need an introduction. SHAHRUKH KHAN has a style
all his own. He has played different kinds of roles, from romantic
to negative, from shy lover to psycho killer, comic
to serious, and everything in between. His fans usually like
his "jodi" (pairing) with actress Kajol; his hits
with her include Karan Arjun, Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le
Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Shahrukh
is married to a Hindu, Gauri, and they have two children, Aryan
& Suhana. We've seen Aryan in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (playing
SRK's character in a flashback to his childhood). Remarkably,
Shahrukh is not related to any other Khan in filmdom. He's a
self-made superstar.
SALMAN
KHAN was once famous for his great romantic and action
hero roles; thanks to several brushes with the law, he's now
better known as the Bad Boy of Bollywood. His father is SALIM
KHAN, who co-wrote some of Bollywood's biggest hits in the
1970s. Salman has two other actor brothers, SOHAIL and
ARBAAZ, the latter of which can be seen alongside
Salman in "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya". Salman's mother,
Salma, is Hindu; his step-mother, Helen, was the biggest screen
vamp of the 1960s and 70s. This large, unconventional family
lives together in a VERY BIG HOUSE.
AAMIR
KHAN is a well respected actor, technically the best of
the current generation. Aamir is the son of famous director
Tahir Hussain, and the nephew of another great director, Nasir
Hussain. But back to the Khans... Aamir's cousin is director
MANSOOR KHAN, who directed smash hit "Jo Jeeta Wohi
Sikander", as well as the Shahrukh Khan-starrer "Josh."
Aamir
Khan's brother FAISAL KHAN also acts but hasn't met with
much success. His only film of note was one in which he starred
with Aamir — the poorly-received "Mela."
SAIF
ALI KHAN is the son of famous actress Sharmila Tagore and
the Nawab Pataudi, a well-known cricket player and aristocrat.
Saif is married to Amrita Singh and has two children. To judge
Saif's acting skills, you should watch "Dil Chahta Hai",
one of his best films.
SAHIL
KHAN, a newcomer, made his acting debut in "Style"
— not a very good choice, in my opinion.
Thus
draws to a close our lecture on the world of Khans. Next time
someone asks, "Are all these Khans related?", feel
free to volunteer your expertise. But don't rest too comfortably
on your laurels: in Bollywood, the only thing surer than a dance
across the meadow is a new Khan lurking in the trees!
(Thanks
to Kalpana, ScreenQueen and other BollyWHATers for providing
me with the facts.)
—
Faizan
Qureshi
