Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who entertained audiences for decades with his memorable supporting roles, has passed away at the age of 67. The actor died on September 24, 2026, after battling cancer.

Among his many performances, his role in the popular comedy film Welcome remains one of his most memorable. His comic timing and scenes with Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor became hugely popular, and several of his dialogues continue to circulate in memes and reels.

However, despite the popularity the film brought him, Mushtaq Khan once revealed that he was paid only ₹1 lakh for his work in the movie.

“I was paid only ₹1 lakh”

In an interview, Mushtaq Khan recalled the circumstances surrounding his payment for Welcome.

He explained that when the agreement was signed, he was told that the film would require around 20–25 days of shooting and that he would receive ₹1 lakh for the assignment.

However, the shooting schedule eventually stretched much longer.

According to Khan, after completing the initial 25 days, the team asked him to continue for another 10 days. He was subsequently asked to work for another 15 days as well.

Despite the additional shooting days, his remuneration was not increased.

He felt the payment arrangement was unfair

Mushtaq Khan said he found the situation disappointing because the film's crew members were being paid on a daily basis, while his payment had already been fixed for the agreed shooting period.

He explained that had he also been paid on a daily basis, the total amount he received for the film would have been considerably higher.

The actor's comments highlighted a common challenge faced by supporting actors, particularly when shooting schedules extend beyond the original agreement.

His ‘Welcome’ character became iconic

In Welcome, Mushtaq Khan played Ballu, a member of Uday Shetty's gang.

His character became particularly memorable because of the now-famous dialogue:

“Meri ek tang fake thi, main hockey ka bahut bada khiladi tha.”

The line became a part of popular culture and continues to appear in memes, social-media reels and comedy clips even years after the film's release.

The film featured Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles, with Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor delivering some of its most celebrated performances.

He continued working until his final days

Even during the final phase of his life, Mushtaq Khan remained connected to his profession.

According to the report, the actor was still shooting for a film featuring Shera's son, who is known as Salman Khan's bodyguard's son. He was also expected to work on another upcoming project from the director of Hanuman Ansh.

Mushtaq Khan's death has left the film industry mourning the loss of a versatile supporting actor whose performances often turned even brief appearances into memorable moments.

His role in Welcome may have earned him only ₹1 lakh, but the character of Ballu gave him something far more enduring — a place in the memories of generations of Bollywood audiences.