Mumbai: Veteran actor Raza Murad has called out Bollywood’s big names for staying away from Mushtaq Khan’s funeral.
The actor, who entertained audiences with memorable roles, including Akshay Kumar’s Welcome, died on September 24 after battling cancer. His last rites were held the following day, September 25.
In a video shared on his Instagram handle on Saturday morning, Raza paid tribute to Khan while questioning the absence of Bollywood celebrities from the veteran actor’s funeral.
“Afsoos baat yeh hai koi bhi star unhe apna aakhiri salaam pesh karne nahi aaya (Sadly, no star came forward to pay him their last respects),” he said.
He added, “Koi bada chehra nahi aaya (No big name showed up).”
While Murad did not single out any celebrity, he expressed disappointment that actors could not even spare 50 minutes to attend Khan’s last rites and pay their respects.
He went on to speak about the late actor’s contribution to the film industry, stating, “Na unhone kisi ki chamcha giri ki, voh bas apne kaam ke balboote pe yahan tak phouche hai. (He never resorted to sycophancy; he reached this far solely on the strength of his work.)”
Before signing off, Murad reminded everyone that wealth and fame are temporary, stressing the importance of staying humble despite success.
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Annu Kapoor, Gajendra Chauhan and Rajpal Yadav were among the few industry colleagues spotted at Mushtaq Khan’s funeral.
Speaking to the media outside the crematorium, Kapoor paid an emotional tribute to his “dear friend and colleague”.
Recalling their last professional interaction, he revealed that he and Khan had worked together around six months ago.
“That is precisely why I am even more deeply pained, because just about six months ago, we worked together in Kanpur. He appeared completely cheerful and happy, or perhaps he was hiding [his illness]… He was wonderful. Three years ago as well, I had the privilege and good fortune of working alongside him in a film,” he said.
