Did you know Mushtaq Khan's next was with Hanuman Ansh director Vishal Chaturvedi?

Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan's death has deeply affected filmmaker Vishal Chaturvedi, who was set to cast him in his next project. The actor's legacy as a cherished supporting artist continues to be honoured across the industry following his battle with cancer.

In Short

• Mushtaq Khan, noted Bollywood actor, died after cancer battle
• Filmmaker Vishal Chaturvedi expressed personal loss; Khan was to star in his next film
• Chaturvedi's latest film Hanuman Ansh is a box-office success

Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan’s death came as a personal loss for filmmaker Vishal Chaturvedi, who revealed that the late actor was supposed to star in his next film. Chaturvedi, whose latest release Hanuman Ansh has been enjoying a strong run at the box office, remembered Khan as “what an actor” he was in a post on X.

“We were supposed to work together, Mushtaq ji, what an actor you were, what a legacy you left! Om Shanti (sic),” Chaturvedi wrote.

Take a look at his note here:

Mushtaq Khan dies due to cancer

Khan died on Thursday after battling cancer. The actor had been undergoing treatment in Mumbai, with his business partner confirming his death. Reports said he had been diagnosed with cancer earlier and had recovered before the disease returned.

For Chaturvedi, the news meant losing not just a familiar face from Hindi cinema, but an actor he had hoped to work with next. The filmmaker is currently riding the success of Hanuman Ansh, which has emerged as an unexpected box-office success. The film, based on the life of Neem Karoli Baba, stars Chandan Anand and was directed by Chaturvedi.

The tributes have since poured in from across the industry. Welcome director Anees Bazmee remembered Khan as “My Ballu” and described him as a remarkable artist and a beautiful soul. Actors including Sunny Deol, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra and Raza Murad have also mourned his death.

Khan, meanwhile, leaves behind a body of work that made him one of those instantly recognisable supporting actors. He appeared in films including Welcome, Aashiqui, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Gadar 2, Badhaai Do and Stree 2.

He began his film career with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai and went on to work across films and television for more than three decades.

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