Rajpal Yadav met Mushtaq Khan just two hours before his death, recalls heartbreaking final moment: ‘He shook my hand…’

Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan, whose memorable supporting and comic performances made him a familiar face to generations of moviegoers, has died after battling cancer.

He was 56, according to multiple reports.

As tributes poured in from across the Hindi film industry, one particularly emotional message came from Rajpal Yadav, who revealed that he had met Mushtaq in hospital just two hours before his death.

Rajpal said Mushtaq was conscious enough during their meeting to recognise him, listen to the conversation and shake his hand.

Only a few hours later, he received the news that his friend was gone.

‘I still can’t believe it’

Taking to Instagram, Rajpal shared a photograph of Mushtaq and recalled their final interaction.

He said he had visited “Mushtaq Bhai” that afternoon and spoken to him. Despite being seriously ill, Mushtaq looked at him, listened to those around him and responded during the meeting.

The detail that appeared to stay with Rajpal most was their final handshake.

“I still can’t believe that the person I met two hours ago, the person I shook hands with, is no longer among us,” Rajpal wrote in his emotional tribute.

He added that Mushtaq would continue to be remembered as a popular actor and personality, before offering his heartfelt tribute with a “heavy heart.”

Hospital video showed their final meeting

Rajpal had initially also shared a video from the hospital visit, but later deleted it and replaced it with a photograph while retaining his tribute.

The clip subsequently resurfaced after being reposted by a social media user.

In the emotional footage, Mushtaq Khan could be seen lying in a hospital bed while holding Rajpal’s hand. Rajpal attempted to comfort his friend and reassure him during what would tragically become one of their final conversations.

At that moment, there was seemingly still hope that Mushtaq’s condition might improve.

Within hours, everything had changed.

Mushtaq Khan’s cancer had reportedly relapsed

Mushtaq had been undergoing treatment at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai after his health deteriorated.

His business partner Shivam confirmed his death and said Mushtaq had previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and had initially recovered. However, the illness reportedly returned shortly before his death.

According to Shivam, the cancer relapsed around eight days earlier, forcing Mushtaq to return to hospital. His condition was described as last-stage cancer, and he died at around 7 pm on Thursday.

Sunny Deol remembers his Gadar co-star

Sunny Deol, who worked with Mushtaq in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, was among the film personalities who paid tribute following the news.

Remembering his former co-star, Sunny described Mushtaq as “a nice human being and a fine actor” and said he had fond memories of working with him.

He also extended condolences to Mushtaq’s family and wished them strength during the difficult period.

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who directed Mushtaq in Welcome, also mourned his death, remembering him as a remarkable performer and a beautiful soul.

Other members of the film fraternity, including Sanjay Mishra, Anupam Kher, Raza Murad and Sunil Pal, also paid tribute.

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The familiar face behind countless memorable roles

For many viewers, Mushtaq Khan was one of those actors whose face became instantly recognisable even when his name was not always prominently displayed on film posters.

His screen career began with Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai in 1980, after which he went on to build a long career as a character actor.

Over the decades, he appeared in films including Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Hera Pheri, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Welcome, Rowdy Rathore, Gadar 2, Badhaai Do and Stree 2.

One of his most widely remembered comic appearances came in Welcome (2007), where his character’s story about being a hockey player became one of the film’s enduring comic moments.

Mushtaq also returned to the Gadar franchise in Gadar 2, while his later appearances ensured that a career beginning decades earlier continued to reach younger audiences.

A goodbye Rajpal Yadav never expected

Among the many tributes following Mushtaq’s death, Rajpal’s account stands apart because of how little time separated an ordinary hospital visit from an irreversible goodbye.

There was a conversation. There was reassurance. There was a handshake.

And just two hours later, Rajpal learned that the friend whose hand he had held was no longer alive.

For an actor who spent decades making audiences laugh through supporting roles, Mushtaq Khan’s final farewell has left colleagues and admirers remembering not merely the characters he played, but the man they knew behind them.