2019 began on a sad note for many Hindi film fans with the news of veteran actor and dialogue writer, Kader Khan’s death on 1 January. The actor was 81. Actor Govinda today paid tribute to his long time co-star as his ‘ustaad’ and father figure.
In an official statement, Govinda said, “Janaab Kader Khan Saheb is no longer with us. He was not just my ustaad, but a father figure in my life. There was such magic in his hands that any artist he would work with, or supported, went on to become a star, a superstar [sic].”
RIP Kader Khan Saab.
He was not just my “ustaad” but a father figure to me, his midas touch and his aura made every actor he worked with a superstar. The entire film industry and my family deeply mourns this loss and we cannot express the sorrow in words.#ripkaderkhansaab???????? pic.twitter.com/NISPM1UMs1— Govinda (@govindaahuja21) January 1, 2019
The actor formed a defining partnership with Kader Khan in films like Hero No.1 (1997) , Coolie No.1 (1995), Rajaji (1999), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) among others. Their partnership resulted in some of the most memorable roles in both the actors’ careers through the 1990s.
Kader Khan (1937 – 31 December 2018): A master at writing dialogue as well as delivering it
Praising Khan as his teacher, Govinda said, “Kader Khan sir was not just my teacher, and I gave many hit films with him. In the starting years of my career, I had done many films as second lead. He had a prominent role in those films. Govinda would dance, and Kader Khan would act, they would say.”
The actor went on to say, “I always remember that he would record his dialogues and send it to me to help me, so that I do not make a mistake in dialogue delivery. He was a teacher, and always took care that if you are a co-artist, people will notice your work in the film. The film will be appreciated. Whether that was Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, or me, the reason for the success of many of our films goes to his dialogues.”
Kader Khan’s career took off right in front of my eyes, recalls Satish Shah
As good as Khan was a writer, Govinda pointed out that his acting was no less. The actor credited the veteran as the reason for his success. He said, “Even in acting, he was not any less than anyone. Dulhe Raja (1998), Aankhen (1993), Deewana Mastana (1997), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Jodi No.1 (2001), were some of the prominent films we did together. I feel that he has a very large role to play in my success.”
Govinda signed off by saying, “I would like to thank him, and would pray that he rests in peace.”
Khan passed away on Tuesday after suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy.