Full Name: Zulfiqar Ali Shah Khan (Feroz Khan)
Date of Birth: September 25, 1939
Place of Birth: Bangalore, India
Died: April 27, 2009 (aged 69)
Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer
Years Active: 1960–2007
Spouse: Sundari Khan (Divorced)
Children: Fardeen Khan (Actor)
Early Life & Background
Feroz Khan was born into a Pashtun family in Bangalore, Karnataka. He had four siblings, including actor Sanjay Khan. His early education was in Bangalore before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in films.
Film Career
Debut & Initial Struggles
Feroz Khan made his Bollywood debut with Didi (1960). He initially played supporting roles in films like Oonche Log (1965) and Aurat (1967).
Rise to Stardom
His breakthrough came with Raat Aur Din (1967) and Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), for which he won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. His stylish screen presence and action-packed roles made him a star.
As a Director & Producer
Feroz Khan later turned to filmmaking, directing and producing several successful films:
- Apradh (1972) – Introduced Formula 1 racing to Indian cinema.
- Dharmatma (1975) – Bollywood’s first official Godfather-inspired film.
- Qurbani (1980) – A massive hit known for its music and action sequences.
- Jaanbaaz (1986) – A stylish action thriller with an iconic cast.
- Dayavan (1988) – A remake of Tamil classic Nayakan, starring Vinod Khanna.
Later Career & Final Film
In the 1990s and 2000s, he appeared in films like Yalgaar (1992) and Janasheen (2003), which he directed for his son, Fardeen Khan. His last on-screen appearance was in Welcome (2007), where he played the iconic gangster RDX.
Personal Life
Feroz Khan was known for his flamboyant lifestyle, love for luxury, and larger-than-life persona. He married Sundari Khan, but they later divorced. His son, Fardeen Khan, also became an actor.
Death & Legacy
Feroz Khan passed away on April 27, 2009, due to lung cancer. He was buried in Bangalore, where he had spent his early years.
His legacy remains as one of Bollywood’s most stylish and trendsetting actors, known for his bold filmmaking, international outlook, and charisma.
