By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Tall, well built & rough looking Villain of yesteryears Shaikh Mukhtar was part of many films in the 1950s & 1960s . He made his presence adequately felt in some movies & featured prominently in a few, too, like ‘Changez Khan’ & ‘Hum Sab Ustad Hai’ starring Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar & Shakila. A suspense thriller, the movies is still remembered for for its songs – “Sau Baar Janam Lenge” & “Milte Hi Nazar Tumse Hum Ho Gaye Deewane” rendered by Rafi & others. I had seen the film at Capital cinema, Kanpur in 1970.

In ‘Mr. Lambu’ he worked alongside Suraiya, the then leading actress and ace-singer. It was one of the earlier films of dancer-actress Helen. Earlier Mehboob Khan had cast him in “Bahen” (1941 along side Nalini Jayant & later in “Roti” (1942).

He worked in an era when K.N.Singh was the leading villain & character actor. Both worked alongside in ”An Evening in Paris & ‘Mangu Dada’. After his dream project ‘Noor Jehan’, starring Meena Kumari, Pradeep Kumar Rehman & Helen flopped on its release in India , a disappointed and broken – hearted Shaikh Mukhtar migrated to Pakistan where & died in early 1980s. His film released in Pakistan after his death reportedly did fairly well. Born to Chaudhary Ashfaq Ahmed on 24 December 1914 in Delhi.

Photos: Respective Film/Current Owner/Bollywoodsplendour.in