Iftekhar

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Veteran character actor Iftekar had a career in films that spanned over 50 years. He is one of the handful of elite Hindi film actors who belong to what I term “The 300 Club“, meaning Iftekar has acted in over 300 films. 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.

In the 1960s and 70s Iftekar graduated to playing uncle, father, and what came to be his specialty the 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.

Besides “Deewaar” and “Zanjeer” Iftekar also 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”, “Jony Mere Naam”, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, “Don”, “The Gambler”, and “Sholay” to name but a few.

 

Movies Done By Iftekhar

  • Qazzak Ki Ladki (1937)
  • Fashionable Wife (1938)
  • Taqrar (1944)
  • Rajlaxmi (1945)
  • Ghar (1945)
  • Patanga (1949) – ‘Mali’ / Gardener
  • Muqaddar (1950)
  • Lajawab (1950)
  • Sagai (1951) – Chandni’s Father
  • Saqi (1952)
  • Ashiana (1952) – Jeevan
  • Ek Do Teen (1953)
  • Aabshar (1953)
  • Mirza Ghalib (1954) – Badsha
  • Biraj Bahu (1954) – Kishorilal, Deodhar’s Assistant
  • Naukari (1954)
  • Shree 420 (1955) – Police Inspector
  • Devdas (1955) – Bhijudas
  • Society (1955)
  • Flying Man (1955)
  • Taksaal (1956)
  • Samundari Daku (1956)
  • Jagte Raho (1956) – Chandu (Leader)
  • Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) – Police Inspector
  • Sitaron Se Aage (1958) – Mohan
  • Ragini (1958) – Villager
  • Night Club (1958)
  • Dilli Ka Thug (1958) – Inspector Dilip Singh
  • Fashionable Wife (1959) – Girdhari
  • Raat Ke Rahi (1959) – Watson
  • Naach Ghar (1959)
  • Mr. John (1959)
  • Kangan (1959) – Ramesh Bhatia
  • Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1959) – Public Prosecutor
  • Kalpana (1960) – Johar
  • Chhabili (1960)
  • Aanchal (1960) – Mohan
  • Modern Girl (1961) – Medicine Dealer
  • Zamana Badal Gaya (1961)
  • Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961) – Fellow Traveller (uncredited)
  • Kismet Palat Ke Dekh (1961)
  • Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961) – Mr. Ghosh
  • Dark Street (1961)
  • Professor (1962) – Artist
  • Soorat Aur Seerat (1962)
  • Rangoli (1962) – Police Inspector
  • Pathan (1962)
  • Gharni Shobha (1963)
  • Bandini (1963) – Chutti Babu
  • Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) – Ashok Kumar’s Junior Lawyer
  • Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) – Prakash
  • Grahasti (1963) – Harish’s Brother-In-Law
  • Awara Badal (1964) – Darshan Singh
  • Sangam (1964) – Indian Air Force Officer
  • Cha Cha Cha (1964) – Family doctor
  • Shehnai (1964)
  • Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) – Jagga
  • Apne Huye Paraye (1964) – Public Prosecutor
  • Shaheed (1965) – Public Prosecutor – Lahore
  • Guide (1965) – Inspector
  • Ajnabi (1966)
  • Phool Aur Patthar (1966) – Babu (as Iftikhar)
  • Teesri Manzil (1966) – Police Inspector
  • Teesri Kasam (1966) – Zamindar Vikram Singh
  • Sagaai (1966) – Hospital doctor
  • Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) – Police Inspector
  • Hamraaz (1967) – Advocate Jagmohan Kumar
  • Maya (1967, TV Series) – Jank Bahadur
  • Duniya Nachegi (1967) – Jagdish
  • Sunghursh (1968) – Shankar B. Prasad
  • Do Dooni Char (1968) – Police Inspector Bukhari
  • Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) – Saxena
  • Ittefaq (1969) – Inspector Karwe
  • Sajan (1969) – Police Inspector
  • Rahgir (1969)
  • Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) – Keshav
  • Intaquam (1969) – Police Inspector
  • Sau Saal Beet Gaye (1970) – Indrajeet Singh
  • Prem Pujari (1970) – Indian Army Officer
  • The Train (1970) – Police Commissioner
  • Sawan Bhadon (1970) – Gauri Shankar
  • Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970) – Raja Sahab (Anuradha’s Father)
  • My Love (1970) – Doctor
  • Johny Mera Naam (1970) – Chief Inspector Mehta
  • Bombay Talkie (1970) – Vizarat Khan
  • The Evil Within (1970) – Hannif
  • Safar (1970) – Prosecuting Lawyer
  • Khamoshi (1970) – Doctor
  • Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970) – Barna
  • Bhai-Bhai (1970) – Police Inspector
  • Irada (1971) – Police Inspector
  • Do Raha (1971) – Thakur / Geeta’s Father
  • Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) – Nawab Safdarjung
  • Elaan (1971) – Police Chief
  • Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) – Ram’s Friend
  • Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) – IGP
  • Sharmeelee (1971) – Colonel
  • Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1971) – Dr. Verma
  • Gambler (1971)
  • Door Ka Raahi (1972) – Uncle John
  • Kundan (1972)
  • Dastaan (1972) – Prosecuting Lawyer
  • Apradh (1972) – Police Inspector
  • Jawani Diwani (1972) – Thakur
  • Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972) – Kalpana’s uncle
  • Zindagi Zindagi (1972) – Ismail
  • Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) – Vijay’s Captain
  • Tanhai (1972) – Barrister Madanlal Kapoor
  • Rani Mera Naam (1972)
  • Pyaar Diwana (1972)
  • Parchhaiyan (1972) – Choudhary Shyamlal
  • Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972)
  • Bees Saal Pehle (1972) – Laxman
  • Sonal (1973)
  • Raja Rani (1973) – Suresh’s Father
  • Loafer (1973) – Police Commissioner
  • Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) – Inspector Singh
  • Zanjeer (1973) – Police Commissioner Singh
  • Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) – Diwanji
  • Joshila (1973)
  • Nirdosh (1973)
  • Nannha Shikari (1973)
  • Haathi Ke Daant (1973)
  • Gaddar (1973) – Professor
  • Ek Nari Do Roop (1973) – Dinesh
  • Black Mail (1973) – Mr. Mehta
  • Anamika (1973) – Dr. Irshad Husain
  • Achanak (1973) – Colonel Bakshi
  • Dak Bangla (1974)
  • Chor Chor (1974)
  • Patthar Aur Payal (1974) – DIG B.K. Varma
  • Call Girl (1974) – Sonachand
  • Benaam (1974) – Police Commissioner (as Iftekhar)
  • Majboor (1974) – Police Inspector Khurana
  • Zehreela Insaan (1974) – Principal Vishamber Nath
  • Jeevan Sangram (1974) – Police Inspector
  • Woh Main Nahin (1974) – Prosecution Lawyer
  • Ujala Hi Ujala (1974) – Mr. Jamuna Prasad
  • Raja Shiv Chhatrapati (1974)
  • Raja Kaka (1974)
  • Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) – Seth Dhanraj
  • Jeevan Sangram (1974) – Police Inspector
  • Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) – Ghumli
  • Badla (1974) – DSP Lobo
  • Azad Mohabbat (1974)
  • 36 Ghante (1974) – Vijay’s Father
  • Phanda (1975)
  • Deewaar (1975) – Mulk Raj Daavar
  • Ek Hans Ka Jora (1975) – Tina’s Father
  • Dharmatma (1975) – Vikram Singh
  • Chori Mera Kaam (1975) – Police Commissioner (as Iftikar)
  • Zakhmee (1975) – Judge Ashok Ganguly
  • Sholay (1975) – Narmalaji (Radha’s Father)
  • Saazish (1975) – Interpol Officer Mohanlal Saxena
  • Mazaaq (1975) – Moushumi’s Father
  • Khel Khel Mein (1975) – Inspector Bhupendra Singh / Black Cobra
  • Jaan Hazir Hai (1975)
  • Badnaam (1975)
  • Aakhri Daao (1975) – Inspector Khurana
  • Kabhi Kabhie (1976) – Mr. Malhotra (uncredited)
  • Jaaneman (1976) – Police Commissioner
  • Fakira (1976) – Commissioner Sujit (Neeta’s Father)
  • Ek Se Badhkar Ek (1976) – Police Commissioner (uncredited)
  • Laila Majnu (1976) – Emir Sharwari
  • Zindagi (1976) – Verma
  • Gumrah (1976) – Professor Gupta
  • Do Dilwale (1977)
  • Dangal (1977)
  • Karm (1977) – Judge Shyamlal Kumar
  • Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) – Deepak’s Father
  • Videsh (1977) – CBI Inspector Prasad Sinha
  • Paapi (1977) – Inspector (Raj Kumar’s Foster Father)
  • Kali Raat (1977)
  • Janam Janam Na Saath (1977)
  • Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977) – Dr. Farid
  • Chandi Sona (1977) – Police Commissioner
  • Apnapan (1977) – Kishan Agarwal
  • Agent Vinod (1977) – Madanlal
  • Vishwanath (1978) – Police Commissioner Mahanta
  • Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978) – Gupta
  • Phaansi (1978) – Retired Sub-Inspector Mahendra Pratap Singh
  • Bandie (1978) – Senapati Raghuvir Singh
  • Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) – Dr. Pradhan
  • Besharam (1978) – Police Commissioner
  • Trishul (1978) – Mr. P.L. Varma
  • Don (1978) – DSP D’Silva (as Iftekhar)
  • Tere Pyaar Mein (1978)
  • Khoon Ki Pukaar (1978) – Khan
  • Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) – Commissioner Kotwal
  • Khatta Meetha (1978) – Mr. Cooper (Lawyer)
  • Shikshaa (1979) – Rai Bahadur Dwarka Das Gupta
  • Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) – Inspector Shinde
  • Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) – Police Inspector
  • The Great Gambler (1979) – Deepchand
  • Noorie (1979) – Ghulam Nabi
  • Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
  • Surakshaa (1979) – CBI Head (as Iftakar)
  • Kaala Patthar (1979) – Col. Harpal Singh
  • Shaayad (1979) – Public Prosecutor
  • Love in Canada (1979) – Mr. Khanna
  • Cobra (1980)
  • Zalim (1980) – Inspector Kamat
  • The Burning Train (1980) – Railway Board Chair Jagmohan
  • Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)
  • Karz (1980) – Dr. Daniel
  • Dostana (1980) – Prosecuting Lawyer
  • Humkadam (1980) – Dr. Farid
  • Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) – The Judge
  • Sanjh Ki Bela (1980)
  • Maan Abhiman (1980) – Thakur Sumer Singh
  • Ganga Aur Suraj (1980)
  • Do Shatru (1980) – Karan sing
  • Bombay 405 Miles (1980) – Ranvir Singh
  • Naari (1981) – Hakeem Noor Ali
  • Krodhi (1981) – Commissioner of Police
  • Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) – Colonel (Diana’s Father)
  • Agni Pareeksha (1981) – Psychiatrist Dr. Sen
  • Khoon Aur Paani (1981) – DSP Khan
  • Wardaat (1981) – Chief
  • Rocky (1981) – Dr. Bhagwandas
  • Harjaee (1981) – Dr. Gupta
  • Sannata (1981)
  • Baseraa (1981) – Dr. B.K. Gokhale
  • Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) – Dr. Dixit
  • Raksha (1981) – Head of the Secret Service
  • Raaz (1981) – Mr. Sharma
  • Laparwah (1981) – Inspector
  • Saath Saath (1982) – Mr. Gupta
  • Yeh Vaada Raha (1982) – Dr. Sahni
  • Rajput (1982) – Ram Avtaar Singh
  • Sun Sajna (1982) – Karim
  • Nikaah (1982) – Jumman Chacha
  • Bezubaan (1982) – Amarnath (Kalpana’s Father)
  • Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) – Seth Daulatrai walia
  • Dil Hi Dil Mein (1982) – Mr. Sahni
  • Dard Ka Rishta (1982) – Head – Tata hospital
  • Apradhi Kaun ? (1982) – Mr. Khanna (Public Prosecutor)
  • Mangal Pandey (1983) – Police Superintendent R.P. Gupta (uncredited)
  • Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
  • Rachana (1983) – Doctor
  • Sun Meri Laila (1983) – Abid Khan
  • Mahaan (1983) – Police Commissioner (uncredited)
  • Jaane Jaan (1983) – Mr. Kapoor
  • Sadma (1983) – Train Passenger
  • Mazdoor (1983) – Kundanlal Batra
  • Qayamat (1983) – Retired Judge Sinha
  • Mawaali (1983) – Public Prosecutor
  • Rishta Kagaz Ka (1983) – Bhatnagar
  • Main Awara Hoon (1983) – Dr. Rashid
  • Haadsaa (1983) – Police Inspector
  • Dharti Aakash (1983, TV Movie) – Saddanand Chowdhury
  • Prarthana (1984)
  • The Far Pavilions (1984, TV Mini-Series) – Nakshaband Khan (as Iftekhar)
  • Inquilaab (1984) – Bombay Police Commissioner
  • Mashaal (1984) – Doctor
  • Boxer (1984) – Rushie
  • Maqsad (1984) – Doctor
  • Ram Tera Desh (1984) – Police Commissioner
  • Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984) – Dr. John
  • Phulwari (1984) – Chowdhury
  • Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984) – Judge V.V. Deshmukh
  • Jagir (1984) – I.G. Praveen Singh
  • Awaaz (1984) – Police Commissioner
  • Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan (1984) – Akhtar Mirza
  • Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984) – CBI Officer
  • Mujhe Shakti Do (1984) – Jyoti’s father – police commissioner
  • Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) – Police Commissioner Samant
  • Grahasthi (1984) – Karim
  • Aaj Ka Daur (1985) – Wealthy Man
  • Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985) – Pappa
  • Tawaif (1985) – Lala Fakirchand
  • Hum Dono (1985) – Seth. Mathura Das
  • Yudh (1985) – Commissioner
  • Misaal (1985) – Nath Saab
  • Meri Jung (1985) – Garewal Saab
  • Ek Daku Saher Mein (1985) – Jailor Shaukat Hussain (as Iftikhar)
  • Jaanoo (1985) – Dr. Prabha’s Senior
  • Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1985) – Target’s Managing Partner
  • Awara Baap (1985) – Bihari
  • Yaar Kasam (1985)
  • Salma (1985) – Ustadji (as Iftikhar)
  • Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) – Mohamed Riyaz
  • Maujaan Dubai Diyan (1985) – Roshanlal
  • Bond 303 (1985) – Commissioner of Police
  • Aakhri Chaal (1985, TV Movie)
  • Khamosh Nigahen (1986)
  • Locket (1986)
  • Tan-Badan (1986) – Diwan Devendra Pratap (uncredited)
  • Bhagwaan Dada (1986) – Doctor
  • Peechha Karro (1986) – Commissioner
  • Zindagani (1986) – Mr. Thakur – Sumitra Devi’s Father (as Iftekhar)
  • Angaaray (1986) – Khan Chacha (as Iftekhar)
  • Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) – Senior Police Officer
  • Nazrana (1987) – Advocate
  • Itihaas (1987) – Senior Police Officer (as Iftekhar)
  • Awam (1987) – Ram Kumar
  • Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987) – Doctor
  • Marte Dam Tak (1987) – D.C.P. Lal
  • Razia (1988)
  • Nagin Ke Do Dushman (1988)
  • Tamacha (1988) – Senior Officer (as Iftekhar)
  • Falak (The Sky) (1988) – Mr. D’Souza
  • Commando (1988) – Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
  • Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga (1988) – Inspector General of Police (as Iftekhar)
  • Woh Phir Aayegi (1988) – Raju’s Dad
  • Main Tere Liye (1988) – Advocate Mehta
  • Dharam Shatru (1988)
  • Saaya (1989)
  • Guru (1989) – Dead in photograph (uncredited)
  • Farz Ki Jung (1989) – Mr. Walia
  • Na-Insaafi (1989) – Khanna (Ravi’s dad)
  • Nocturne Indien (1989) – Le professeur de théosophie
  • Shiva (1989) – Principal (as Iftekhar)
  • Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) – Police Commissioner
  • Akanksha (1989, TV Movie) – Employer (as Iftekhar)
  • Vidrohi (1990)
  • Karishma Kismat Ka (1990)
  • Maha-Sangram (1990) – Rahim
  • Kanoon Ki Zanjeer (1990) – Jailor
  • Kaaranama (1990) -Suraj’s Father
  • Jaan-E-Wafa (1990)
  • Iraada (1991) – Ali
  • Lakhpati (1991)
  • Hayratt (1992)
  • City of Joy (1992) – Hasari’s Father
  • Khule-Aam (1992) – Col. Pratap Singh Rana (as Iftikhar)
  • Bekhudi (1992) – (as Iftekhar Khan)
  • Kala Coat (1993) – Professor Khurana
  • Yaar Meri Zindagi (2008) – Munim