Iftekhar

Iftekhar
Sayedna Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif (22 February 1920 – 4 March 1995), often mononymously credited as Iftekhar, was an Indian actor who mainly worked in Hindi cinema. He is known for his role as a police officer.
Career
Iftekhar was born in Jalandhar and was the eldest among four brothers and a sister. After completing his matriculation, Iftekhar did a diploma course in painting from Lucknow College Of Arts. Iftekhar had a passion for singing and was impressed with the famous singer Kundanlal Sehgal. In his 20s, Iftekhar travelled to Calcutta for an audition conducted by the music composer Kamal Dasgupta, who was then serving for HMV. Dasgupta was so impressed by Iftekhar's personality that he recommended his name to M. P. Productions as an actor.
Iftekhar made his debut in the 1944 film Taqraar, which was made under the banner of Art Films-Kolkata.
Many of Iftekhar's close relatives, including his parents and siblings, migrated to Pakistan during the partition. He would have preferred to stay in India, but rioting forced him to leave Calcutta. Along with his wife and daughters, he moved to Bombay, where they struggled to make ends meet. Iftekhar had been introduced to actor Ashok Kumar during his time in Calcutta and contacted him in Bombay, gaining a role in the Bombay Talkies movie Muqaddar (1950). Iftekhar acted in over 400 films in a career that spanned from the 1940s through to the early 1990s.
His brother, Imtiaz Ahmed, was a famous TV character actor of PTV, especially Afshan and Tanhaiyan .
Like many of the older character actors who populated the Bollywood universe of the 1960s and 1970s, Iftekhar had been a lead actor in his youth during the "golden age" of Bollywood, in the 1940s and 1950s. His roles ranged from father, uncle, great-uncle, grandfather, police officer, police commissioner, courtroom judge and doctor. He also did negative roles in Bandini, Sawan Bhadon, “Call Girl”, Khel Khel Mein and Agent Vinod.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Iftekhar graduated to playing uncle, father, and what came to be his speciality: police inspector roles, doctor or senior advocate. 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 Iftekhar's classic roles was as the police inspector in Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer. It was a small part, but the scene where Iftekhar reprimands the near-hysteric Amitabh Bachchan for taking the law into his own hands is incredibly powerful. Another important role as a police officer was played by him in the 1978 hit film Don. Some of his major roles came in Rajesh Khanna films such as Joroo Ka Ghulam, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, The Train , Khamoshi, Safar, Raja Rani, Ittefaq, Rajput and Awam.
Besides Deewaar and Zanjeer, Iftekar had character roles in many of the classics of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s Bollywood cinema: Bimal Roy's Bandini, Raj Kapoor's Sangam, Manoj Kumar's Shaheed, Teesri Manzil, Teesri Kasam, Johny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Don, The Gambler (1971 film), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) and Sholay, to name but a few.
Apart from Hindi films, he appeared in two episodes of the American TV series Maya in 1967 as well the English language films Bombay Talkie (1970) and City of Joy (1992).
Personal life
Iftekhar married Hannah Joseph, a Jewish lady from Calcutta, who changed her religion and name to Rehana Ahmed. They had two daughters; Salma and Sayeda. Daughter Sayeda died of cancer on 7 February 1995.
Selected filmography
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)
Nanha 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
Phir Janam Lenge Hum/Janam Janam Na Saathi (1977)
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)
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.Do Shatru 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
Haadsa (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
Hanste Khelte (1984)-Lawyer Shanti Prasad Goel
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 Diyaan (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 (1988 film) - 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)
Patthar Ke Phool (1991) Smuggler , Cameo Role
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
References
External links
Male actors in Hindi cinema
Indian male film actors
1995 deaths
1920 births
20th-century Indian male actors