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 the 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. Sajid Khan was adopted by Mehboob Khan’s family, and later he appeared in the last directorial venture of Mehboob Khan. After moving to US, he made his film debut in the US with ‘Maya’ in 1966 and also appeared in its small screen adaptation. 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 the Philippines, and in the mid-1970s, he started appearing in several Indian movies.
Sajid Khan – Some interesting and lesser-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 a guest appearance in the TV show, The Big Valley, and was a celebrity judge of the musical show, It’s Happening. He was also featured on 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 the lead role in the 1975 Bollywood film, Zindagi Aur Toofan, and played Dacoit Chief in Shashi Kapoor starrer Heat and Dust.
Good luck man, I still remember your role as a child Birju and can never forget you awesome performance and the dance you did in the Trade market is still a guidance to the present choreographers.
Good luck and blessings
Where are you Sajid, post your latest photos, hope you are doing well.