Iftekhar

Sayaddana Iftekhar Ahmed Shareef, often mononymously credited as Iftekhar (इफ्तिखार) (22 February 1920 – 4 March 1995) was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his roles as police officer. Note:
It is stated that actress Veena was Iftekhar's sister. Their individual biographies are conflicting and there is no indication that these two persons are related.

Iftekhar was born in Jallandhar 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 twenties Iftekhar travelled to Calcutta(Kolkata)for an audition conducted by the renowned 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. Production 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 relative including his parents and siblings migrated to Pakistan during partition. Iftekhar preferred to stay in India though due to the riots he was forced to leave Calcutta. He, along with his wife and daughters migrated to Bombay(Mumbai) where they struggled to make ends meet. Iftekhar had been introduced to actor Ashok Kumar during his time in Calcutta. He contacted Ashok Kumar in Mumbai who not only recognized Iftekhar but also gave him a role in the Bombay Talkies movie "Muqaddar" which released in 1950. Iftekhar acted in over 400 films in a career that spanned from the 1940s through to the early 1990s.

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, 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 1978 hit film Don.Some of his major roles came in Rajesh Khanna films like Joroo Ka Ghulam, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, The Train , Khamoshi, Safar, Raja Rani, Ittefaq, Rajput, 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 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).

His sister Veena, original name Tajour Sultana (1926–2004) was an actress and acted in movies like Taj Mahal for which she got the 'Best Supporting Actress Award, Pakeezah, Do Raaste, Ashirwad, Parichay, Shehzada and others.

Iftekhar married Hannah Joseph, a Jewish girl from Calcutta (now Kolkata), renamed Rehana Ahmed,( who expired on 27th may, 2013). His elder daughter, Salma was born in 1946 and the younger one, Sayeeda, was born 1946. Salma married Vipin Chandra Jain of Dehradun in 1964 and has one married daughter, now in London and also one son, Vishal Jain. Sayeeda, married M.I. Sheikh, but she expired in 1995. Iftekhar died on 1st March 1995, a few days after his younger daughter's passing away.

• Kala Coat (1993) .... Professor Khurana
• Bekhudi (1992) (as Iftekhar Khan)
• Khule-Aam (1992) (as Iftikhar) .... Col. Pratap Singh Rana
• City of Joy (1992) .... Hasari's Father
• Jaan-E-Wafa (1990)
• Shiva (1989) (as Iftekhar) .... Principal
• Nocturne Indien (1989) .... Le professeur de théosophie
• Na-Insaafi (1989) .... Khanna (Ravi's dad)
• Farz Ki Jung (1989) .... Mr. Walia
• Akanksha (1989) (TV) (as Iftekhar) .... Employer
• Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) .... Police Commissioner
• Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga (1988) (as Iftekhar) .... Inspector General of Police
• Commando (1988) (uncredited) .... Restaurant Manager
• Falak (The Sky) (1988) .... Mr. D'Souza
• Tamacha (1988) (as Iftekhar) .... Senior Officer
• Main Tere Liye (1988) .... Advocate Mehta
• Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987) .... Doctor
• Itihaas (1987) (as Iftekhar) .... Senior Police Officer
• Nazrana (1987) .... Advocate
• Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) .... Senior Police Officer
• Marte Dam Tak (1987) .... D.C.P. Lal
• Avam (1987) .... Ram Kumar
• Zindagani (1986) (as Iftekhar) .... Mr. Thakur – Sumitra Devi's Father
• Tan-Badan (1986) (uncredited) .... Diwan Devendra Pratap
• Bhagwaan Dada (1986) .... Doctor
• Locket (1986)
• Angaarey (1986) (as Iftekhar) .... Khan Chacha
• Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1985) .... Target's Managing Partner
• Jaanoo (1985) .... Dr. Prabha's Senior
• Ek Daku Saher Mein (1985) (as Iftikhar) .... Jailor Shaukat Hussain
• Meri Jung (1985) .... Garewal Saab
• Hum Dono (1985) .... Seth. Mathura Das
• Misaal (1985) .... Nath Saab
• Yudh (1985) .... Commissioner
• Tawaif (1985) .... Lala Fakirchand
• Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985)
• Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) .... Mohamed Riyaz
• Salma (1985) (as Iftikhar) .... Ustadji
• Yaar Kasam (1985)
• Aakhri Chaal (1985) (TV)
• Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan (1984) .... Akhtar Mirza
• Jagir (1984) .... I.G. Praveen Singh
• Phulwari (1984) .... Chowdhury
• Ram Tera Desh (1984) .... Police Commissioner
• Maqsad (1984) .... Doctor
• Boxer (1984) .... Rushie
• Inquilaab (1984) .... Bombay Police Commissioner
• Mashaal (1984) .... Doctor
• Grahasthi (1984) .... Karim
• Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) .... Police Commissioner Samant
• Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984) .... Judge V.V. Deshmukh
• Awaaz (1984) .... Police Commissioner
• Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984) .... Dr. John
• The Far Pavilions (1984) .... Nakshaband Khan (TV Serial, 1 episode)
• Part Three: 'Wally and Anjuli' (1984) (TV episode) (as Iftekhar) .... Nakshaband Khan
• Mawaali (1983) .... Public Prosecutor
• Qayamat (1983) .... Retired Judge Sinha
• Mahaan (1983) (uncredited) .... Police Commissioner
• Sun Meri Laila (1983) .... Abid Khan
• Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
• Sadma (1983) .... Train Passenger
• Main Awara Hoon (1983) .... Dr. Rashid
• Dharti Aakash (1983) (TV) .... Saddanand Chowdhury
• Haadsaa (1983) .... Police Inspector
• Mazdoor (1983) .... Kundanlal Batra
• Rishta Kagaz Ka (1983) .... Bhatnagar
• Nikaah (1982) .... Jumman Chacha
• Sun Sajna (1982) .... Karim
• Rajput (1982) .... Ram Avtaar Singh
• Yeh Vaada Raha (1982) .... Dr. Sahni
• Saath Saath (1982) .... Mr. Gupta
• Apradhi Kaun ? (1982) .... Mr. Khanna (Public Prosecutor)
• Mangal Pandey (1982) (uncredited) .... Police Superintendent R.P. Gupta
• Dil Hi Dil Mein (1982) .... Mr. Sahni
• Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) .... Rita's Father
• Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) .... Dr. Dixit
• Baseraa (1981) .... Dr. B.K. Gokhale
• Sannata (1981)
• Harjaee (1981) .... Dr. Gupta
• Rocky (1981) .... Dr. Bhagwandas
• Wardaat (1981) .... Chief
• Khoon Aur Paani (1981) .... DSP Khan
• Agni Pareeksha (1982) .... Psychiatrist Dr. Sen
• Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) .... Colonel (Diana's Father)
• Krodhi (1981) .... Commissioner of Police
• Bezubaan (1981) .... Amarnath (Kalpana's Father)
• Raksha (1982) .... Head of the Secret Service
• Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) .... The Judge
• Humkadam (1980) .... Dr. Farid
• Dostana (1980) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• Karz (1980) .... Dr. Daniel
• Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)
• The Burning Train (1980) .... Railway Board Chair Jagmohan
• Zalim (1980)
• Bombay 405 Miles (1980) .... Ranvir Singh
• Maan Abhiman (1980) .... Thakur Sumer Singh
• Kaala Patthar (1979) .... Mr. Singh
• Surakshaa (1979) .... CBI Head (as Iftakar)
• Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) .... Police Inspector
• The Great Gambler (1979) .... Deepchand
• Shikshaa (1979) .... Rai Bahadur Dwarka Das Gupta
• Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) .... Inspector Shinde
• Mr. Natwarlal (1979) ....
• Noorie (1979) .... Ghulam Nabi
• Trishul (1978) .... Mr. P.L. Varma
• Don (1978) (as Iftekhar) .... DSP D'Silva
• Bandie (1978) .... Senapati Raghuvir Singh
• Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978) .... Gupta
• Vishwanath (1978)
• Khatta Meetha (1978) .... Mr. Cooper (Lawyer)
• Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) .... Commissioner Kotwal
• Khoon Ki Pukaar (1978) .... Khan
• Phaansi (1978) .... Retired Sub-Inspector Mahendra Pratap Singh
• Besharam (1978) .... Police Commissioner
• Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) .... Dr. Pradhan
• Janam Janam Na Saath (1977)
• Paapi (1977) .... Inspector (Raj Kumar's Foster Father)
• Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977) .... Dr. Farid
• Chandi Sona (1977) .... Police Commissioner
• Agent Vinod (1977) .... Madanlal
• Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) .... Deepak's Father
• Karm (1977) .... Judge Shyamlal Kumar
• Apnapan(1977) .... Kishan Agarwal
• Zindagi (1976) .... Verma
• Fakira (1976) .... Commissioner Sujit (Neeta's Father)
• Jaaneman (1976) .... Police Commissioner
• Kabhi Kabhie (1976) (uncredited) .... Mr. Malhotra
• Laila Majnu (1976) .... Emir Sharwari
• Gumrah (1976) .... Professor Gupta
• Ek Se Badhkar Ek (1976) (uncredited) .... Police Commissioner
• Sholay (1975) .... Narmalaji (Radha's Father)
• Zakhmee (1975) .... Judge Ashok Ganguly
• Chori Mera Kaam (1975) (as Iftikar) .... Police Commissioner
• Dharmatma (1975) .... Vikram Singh
• Ek Hans Ka Jora (1975) .... Tina's Father
• Saazish (1975) .... Interpol Officer Mohanlal Saxena
• Jaan Hazir Hai (1975)
• Deewaar (1975) .... Mulk Raj Daavar
• Aakhri Daao (1975) .... Inspector Khurana
• Mazaaq (1975) .... Moushumi's Father
• Khel Khel Mein (1975) .... Inspector Bhupendra Singh / Black Cobra
• Majboor (1974) .... Police Inspector Khurana
• Benaam (1974) (as Iftekhar) .... Police Commissioner
• Call Girl (1974) .... Sonachand
• Patthar Aur Payal (1974) .... DIG B.K. Varma
• Chor Chor (1974)
• Badla (1974) .... DSP Lobo
• Jeevan Sangram (1974) .... Police Inspector
• Zehreela Insaan (1974) .... Principal Vishamber Nath
• 36 Ghante (1974) .... Vijay's Father
• Ujala Hi Ujala (1974) .... Mr. Jamuna Prasad
• Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) .... Ghumli
• Woh Main Nahin (1974)
• Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) .... Seth Dhanraj
• Joshila (1973)
• Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) .... Diwanji
• Zanjeer (1973) .... Police Commissioner Singh
• Loafer (1973) .... Police Commissioner
• Raja Rani (1973) .... Suresh's Father
• Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) .... Inspector Singh
• Black Mail (1973) .... Mr. Mehta
• Gaddar (1973) .... Professor
• Achanak (1973) .... Colonel Bakshi
• Anamika (1973) .... Dr. Irshad Husain
• Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972)
• Jawani Diwani (1972) .... Thakur
• Dastaan (1972) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972)
• Parchhaiyan (1972)
• Pyaar Diwana (1972)
• Rani Mera Naam(1972)
• Apradh (1972) .... Police Inspector
• Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) .... Vijay's Captain
• Zindagi Zindagi (1972) .... Ismail
• Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) .... IGP
• Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) .... Ram's Friend
• Gambler (1971)
• Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) .... Nawab Safdarjung
• Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1971) .... Dr. Verma
• Sharmeelee (1971) .... Colonel
• Elaan (1971) .... Police Chief
• Bombay Talkie (1970) .... Vizarat Khan
• Johny Mera Naam (1970) .... Chief Inspector Mehta
• Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970) .... Raja Sahab (Anuradha's Father)
• The Train (1970) .... Police Commissioner
• Prem Pujari (1970) .... Indian Army Officer
• Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970)
• Bhai-Bhai (1970)
• Sawan Bhadon (1970)
• Safar (1970) .... Prosecuting Lawyer
• My Love (1970) .... Doctor
• Ittefaq (1969) .... Inspector Karwe
• Intaquam (1969) .... Police Inspector
• Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) .... Keshav
• Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) .... Saxena
• Rahgir (1969)
• Sajan (1969) .... Police Inspector
• Khamoshi (1969) .... Doctor
• Do Dooni Char (1968)
• Sunghursh (1968) .... Shankar B. Prasad
• Hamraaz(1967) .... Advocate Jagmohan Kumar
• Maya (1967) .... Jank Bahadur (TV Serial, 2 episodes)
• Duniya Nachegi (1967)
• Sagaai (1966) .... Hospital doctor
• Phool Aur Patthar (1966) (as Iftikhar) .... Babu
• Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) .... Police Inspector
• Teesri Kasam (1966) .... Zamindar Vikram Singh
• Teesri Manzil (1966) .... Police Inspector
• Guide (1965) .... Inspector
• Shaheed (1965) .... Public Prosecutor – Lahore
• Cha Cha Cha (1964) .... Family doctor
• Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964)
• Sangam (1964) .... Indian Air Force Officer
• Shehnai (1964)
• Apne Huye Paraye (1964) .... Public Prosecutor
• Grahasti (1963) .... Harish's Brother-In-Law
• Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) .... Prakash
• Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) .... Ashok Kumar's Junior Lawyer
• Bandini (1963) .... Chutti Babu
• Pathan (1962)
• Rangoli (1962) .... Police Inspector
• Professor (1962) .... Artist
• Soorat Aur Seerat (1962)
• Zamana Badal Gaya (1961)
• Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961)
• Dark Street (1961)
• Chhabili (1960)
• Kalpana (1960) .... Johar
• Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1959) .... Public Prosecutor
• Kangan (1959) .... Ramesh Bhatia
• Night Club (1958)
• Dilli Ka Thug (1958)
• Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) .... Police Inspector
• Samundari Daku (1956)
• Jagte Raho (1956) .... Chandu (Leader)
• Shree 420 (1955) .... Police Inspector
• Society (1955)
• Devdas (1955) .... Bhijudas
• Biraj Bahu (1954) .... Kishorilal, Deodhar's Assistant
• Mirza Ghalib (1954) .... Badsha
• Naukari (1954)
• Ek Do Teen (1953)
• Saqi (1952)
• Ashiana (1952) .... Jeevan
• Sagai (1951) .... Chandni's Father
• Ghar (1945)
• Rajlaxmi (1945)
• Fashionable Wife (1938)
• Qazzak Ki Ladki (1937)
• Aaj Ka Daur (1985) .... Wealthy Man