Tariq Khan – Bollywood actor featured in the iconic heart breaking song, ‘Kya Hua Tera Waada’

“Kya Hua Tera Waada …. Woh Kasam Woh Iraada”, when you listen to this heart breaking song, the performer on stage definitely comes in your mind. He is none other than a forgotten hero of 1970s-1980s, Tariq Khan, best known for his association with Nasir Hussain, his uncle. He played parallel lead roles in Yaadon Ke Baarat and Hum Kise Se Kum Nahin, for which he is known most, and also played an important role in Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, all produced and directed by his uncle. His other roles are less-significant in Bollywood. He is also known as the first cousin of Bollywood actors – Aamir Khan and Faisal Khan, producer Nikhat Khan and also Bollywood director Mansoor Khan of QSQT fame.

Tum Kya Jaano sung by R. D, Burman became a part of the string of songs of Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi

He was launched to Bollywood by his uncle through Yaadon Ke Baarat in 1973

Tariq Ali Khan was born in Lucknow into a family with Bollywood links. His mother is the sister of Nasir Hussain and Tahir Hussain, Bollywood filmmakers. Azhar Ali Khan is his father’s name. Yaadon Ke Baarat in 1973 directed by his uncle marked his screen debut. The movie starring Dharmendra, Tariq Khan and Vijay Arora as lost siblings was a super hit, and Tariq’s role as a singer who does gigs at hotels was well-appreciated. The songs – Yaadon Ke Baarat in the movie climax, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil featuring Neetu Singh in a cameo role and Aap Ke Kamre Mein Koi Rehta Hai filmed on him were chartbusters.  

Hum Kise Se Kum Nahin is the most popular movie of his career

He played supporting role in Zakhmee (1975), which was a flop. The movie was produced by his uncle, Tahir Hussain. It was followed by the biggest hit of his career, Hum Kise Se Kum Nahin (1977), directed by his uncle. He sync-lipped Rafi’s hit song, Kya Hua Tera Waada which capitulated to fame. He shared screen space with his co-stars – Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran in this song. Though his role was equally important to Rishi’s, he was nominated in supporting actor category at Filmfare awards, the only recognition he received in his entire career.

He was featured aside Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran in the chain of songs for the movie, Hum Kise Se Kum Nahin. This segment is Chand Mera Dil sung by Rafi

He was paired with debutante Kajal Kiran in the movie, and the song filmed on them, Yeh Ladka Haay Allah was a hit. Tariq also appeared in a chain of songs (an experiment by the director) aside Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran as a stage competition. He sync-lipped to Chand Mera Dil (sung by Rafi) and Tum Kya Jano Mohabbat Kya Hai (sung by Pancham da) song bits. Aa Dil Kya Mehfil Hai Tere sung by Kishore Kumar and Mil Gaya Hum Ko Saathi (sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar) also formed a part of the beautiful song chain.

His career deteriorated after the big success of Hum Kise Se Kum Nahin

He was not successful with other banner films, and he mostly played supporting roles. He was seen in Pasand Apni Apni, Manzil Manzil, Naram Garam, Shaukeen, Zabardast etc. He played an important role in Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai directed by his uncle. He was disheartened when he received flops one after another and took a break in 1987. Offers from films had already seized at this point of time.

Tariq Khan with his wife

Though he became a part of several hit films in the 1980s his roles went unnoticed. He made a comeback through Mera Damad (1995) directed by Partho Ghosh. After the movie’s failure, he never returned to films. He did around 12 movies in his entire career, and managed to leave an impression in audience’s hearts – Thanks to ‘Kya Hua Tera Waada’ song, in which he appears as guitar-strumming Monto! He has left film industry and now works as a supervising executive in a shipment company. He also completed a diploma in triber ticketing and cargo forwarding. His son works in a production team at Filmistan studios, and thus associated with cine buzz.

Tariq Khan – Some interesting and less-known facts

Tariq Khan – Now

1. Aamir Khan played Tariq’s childhood role in Yaadon Ke Baarat, and appeared in the title track filmed in the beginning of the movie. Thus the movie marked screen debut of both these actors.

2. Mohammed Rafi received his single National award for best playback singer for “Kya Hua Tera Waada” composed by R. D. Burman and filmed on Tariq. The song also bagged the last Filmfare award for the legendary singer.

Kya Hua Tera Wada – bagged Rafi his only national film award and last Filmfare award for best male playback

3. He belongs to a family of many freedom fighters, and is a descendant of Zakir Hussain, former president of India. He is also related to India’s first education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

4. His cousin Nikhat Khan (Aamir Khan’s sister) had a brief stint in Bollywood as an actress, producer and costume designer. But she never pursued Bollywood as a full-time profession.

5. Well-known actor Raj Zutshi is related to Hussain family, as Raj is the stepfather of Imran Khan, young actor from the family.