Sajid Khan – Child artist of ‘Mother India’ and ‘Maya’ fame

Sajid Khan is a former actor and singer, and the adopted son of famed film director Mehboob Khan. Sajid Khan played the childhood role of Sunil Dutt in the iconic movie, Mother India in 1957 and also played the lead role in its sequel, Son of India (1962) which happens to be the last film of Mehboob Khan. Born into a poor family in the slums of Mumbai, the director Mehboob Khan and his wife adopted him soon after he appeared in Mother India and also gave him the name Sajid Khan. Following Mehboob Khan‘s death in 1964, he was sent to US, where he had a successful career in US television and films in the 1960s and in Philippines in the early 1970s.

Sajid Khan in ‘Maya’

Sajid Khan was born in 1951. He was unknown to the outer world till he appeared in Mother India. After he was adopted by Mehboob Khan’s family, he appeared in the last directorial venture of Mehboob Khan. After moving to US, he marked his film debut in US with ‘Maya’ in 1966 and also appeared in its small screen adaption. His role as an Indian boy who befriends Terry became extremely popular and he enjoyed “teen idol” status for a brief period. In the early 1970s he appeared in a few films made in Philippines and with mid-1970s he appeared in several Indian movies.

Sajid Khan – Some interesting and less-known facts

Sajid Khan in Mother India

1. He got 750 Indian rupees as remuneration for his child role in Mother India. Definitely it was a big amount that time. 

2. Soon after the success of ‘Maya’ in 1966, he made guest appearance in TV show, The Big Valley and was a celebrity judge of the musical show – It’s Happening. He was also featured in many magazine covers then.

3. He has been a part of Ismail Merchant’s drama productions such as Mahatma and the Mad Boy.

4. As a film actor Pilak in 2001 was his last release.

5. Actress Rekha who was new to the industry in the early 1970s had a romantic relationship with Sajid during 1970-1972. But later Sajid married another girl whom he divorced in 1990.

6. Currently he is into costume jewellery business and owns a factory.

7. He played lead role in 1975 Bollywood film, Zindagi Aur Toofan, and played Dacoit Chief in Shashi Kapoor starrer Heat and Dust.