Nasir Khan – Younger brother of actor Dilip Kumar

Do you know who played lead hero in the first Pakistani film, Teri Yaad (1948) soon after partition? It’s none other than Bollywood’s star Dilip Kumar’s younger brother Nasir Khan. But the movie was a flop, and Jinnah’s sudden death also attributed to its failure at box office. He appeared in Indian films in the pre-independent era, moved to Pakistan following partition, played a few lead roles as well. But when he couldn’t make it big, he returned to Bollywood, and played lead and supporting roles and received limited success. Dilip supported his younger brother throughout his film journey and also offered him to play the character Jamuna in his iconic film, Ganga Jamuna, the role for which he is remembered most. Nasir also delivered Bollywood hits with Nutan, Surayya and Meena Kumari in the 1950s, playing lead roles.

Nasir Khan (1924-1974) was born in Peshawar. His father was a landlord and fruit merchant who owned orchards in Peshawar and Deolali. As a film actor he marked his debut with 1945 film, Mazdoor. By that time his elder brother Dilip had a few hit movies. His second release was Shehnai in 1947 which was a box office hit. Though he had a successful start in Bollywood cinema, he preferred to move to Pakistan, only to deliver two flops in a row – Teri Yaad and Shahida. Disheartened Nasir returned to India in 1951. By that time his elder brother was already a huge star, and he supported Nasir as well.

Though he delivered many hits in the 1950s with top heroines in a lead role, luck didn’t favour him and with 1960s he moved to character roles, through which he received limited success. Ganga Jamuna, Nakhare, Nazneen Phoolon Ke Haar, Yadon Ki baraat, Bairaag, Saudagar etc are some of his noted roles. He died at a comparatively young age of 49 and Dilip Kumar starrer Bairaag (1976) in which he played the brief role of Dr. Mishra was released posthumously.

Nasir Khan – Some interesting facts

1. He played lead hero in the first Pakistani film, Teri Yaad (1948), but it was a box office flop.

2. Nasir and his brother Dilip Kumar played siblings – Jamuna and Ganga respectively in the iconic movie of 1960s – Ganga Jamuna, which was a blockbuster.

3. He was married to Begum Para, well-known actress of 1950s, and their son Ayub Khan appears in Bollywood films and TV roles.

4. His first wife Suraiya Nazir was the daughter of well-known filmmaker Nazir Ahmed Khan.

5. Through his marriage with Begum Para, he is related to well-known socialite of 1970s, Rukhsana Sultana and her daughter Amrita Singh, a Bollywood actress of 1980s. Amrita Singh was formerly married to Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, son of Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his wife Sharmila Tagore, a Bollywood actress. Rukhsana Sultana was the niece of Begum Para.

6. Rehana was his heroine of his first box office hit, Shehnai, and he also delivered three hit movies – Nagina, Aagosh and Shisham opposite Nutan.

7. He worked with Meena Kumari in Daera, Suraiya in Lal Kunwar and Nargis in Angarey.

8. Popular Bollywood songs such as Aana meri jaan meri jaan Sunday kai Sunday and Mar katari mar jana were filmed on him.