Iftekhar

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif (22 February 1920 – 4 March 1995), often mononymously credited as Iftekhar or Iftikhar, was an Indian actor who mainly worked in Hindi cinema. He is known for his film roles as a police officer.

Career
Iftekhar was born in Jalandhar and was the eldest among four brothers and a sister. After completing his matriculation, Iftekhar did a diploma course in painting from Lucknow College Of Arts. Iftekhar had a passion for singing and was impressed with the famous singer Kundanlal Sehgal. In his 20s, Iftekhar travelled to Calcutta for an audition conducted by the music composer Kamal Dasgupta, who was then serving for HMV. Dasgupta was so impressed by Iftekhar's personality that he recommended his name to M. P. Productions as an actor.

Iftekhar made his debut in the 1944 film Taqraar, which was made under the banner of Art Films-Kolkata.

Many of Iftekhar's close relatives, including his parents and siblings, migrated to Pakistan during the partition. He would have preferred to stay in Calcutta, but rioting forced him to leave Calcutta. Along with his wife and daughters, he moved to Bombay, where they struggled to make ends meet. Iftekhar had been introduced to actor Ashok Kumar during his time in Calcutta and contacted him in Bombay, gaining a role in the Bombay Talkies movie Muqaddar (1950). Iftekhar acted in over 400 films in a career that spanned from the 1940s through to the early 1990s.

His brother, Imtiaz Ahmed, was a famous TV character actor of PTV (Pakistan Television), especially Afshan and Tanhaiyan. Like many of the older character actors who populated the Bollywood universe of the 1960s and 1970s, Iftekhar had been a lead actor in his youth during the "golden age" of Bollywood, in the 1940s and 1950s. His roles ranged from father, uncle, great-uncle, grandfather, police officer, police commissioner, courtroom judge and doctor. He also did negative roles in Bandini, Sawan Bhadon, Call Girl,  Khel Khel Mein and Agent Vinod.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Iftekhar graduated to playing uncle, father, and what came to be his speciality: police inspector roles, doctor or senior advocate. Generally he played "sympathetic" characters but, on occasion, he played the heavy. One of his most memorable roles as a heavy was as Amitabh Bachchan's corrupt industrialist mentor in Yash Chopra's classic Deewaar (1975). Another of Iftekhar's classic roles was as the police inspector in Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer. It was a small part, but the scene where Iftekhar reprimands the near-hysteric Amitabh Bachchan for taking the law into his own hands is incredibly powerful. Another important role as a police officer was played by him in the 1978 hit film Don. Some of his major roles came in Rajesh Khanna films such as Joroo Ka Ghulam, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, The Train, Khamoshi, Safar, Raja Rani, Ittefaq, Rajput and Awam.

Besides Deewaar and Zanjeer, Iftekar had character roles in many of the classics of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s Bollywood cinema: Bimal Roy's Bandini, Raj Kapoor's Sangam, Manoj Kumar's Shaheed, Teesri Manzil, Teesri Kasam, Johny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Don, The Gambler (1971 film), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) and Sholay, to name but a few.

Apart from Hindi films, he appeared in two episodes of the American TV series Maya in 1967 as well the English language films Bombay Talkie (1970) and City of Joy (1992).

Personal life
Iftekhar married Hannah Joseph, a Jewish lady from Calcutta, who changed her religion and name to Hina Ahmed. They had two daughters; Salma and Sayeda. Daughter Sayeda died of cancer on 7 February 1995.

Selected filmography

 * Qazzak Ki Ladki (1937)
 * Fashionable Wife (1938)
 * Taqrar (1944)
 * Rajlaxmi (1945)
 * Ghar (1945)
 * Patanga (1949) - 'Mali' / Gardener
 * Muqaddar (1950)
 * Lajawab (1950)
 * Sagai (1951) - Chandni's Father
 * Saqi (1952)
 * Ashiana (1952) - Jeevan
 * Ek Do Teen (1953)
 * Aabshar (1953)
 * Mirza Ghalib (1954) - Badshah
 * Biraj Bahu (1954) - Kishorilal, Deodhar's Assistant
 * Naukari (1954)
 * Shree 420 (1955) - Police Inspector
 * Devdas (1955) - Bhijudas
 * Society (1955)
 * Flying Man (1955)
 * Taksaal (1956)
 * Samundari Daku (1956)
 * Jagte Raho (1956) - Chandu (Leader)
 * Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957) - Police Inspector
 * Sitaron Se Aage (1958) - Mohan
 * Ragini (1958) - Villager
 * Night Club (1958)
 * Dilli Ka Thug (1958) - Inspector Dilip Singh
 * Fashionable Wife (1959) - Girdhari
 * Raat Ke Rahi (1959) - Watson
 * Naach Ghar (1959)
 * Mr. John (1959)
 * Kangan (1959) - Ramesh Bhatia
 * Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1959) - Public Prosecutor
 * Kalpana (1960) - Johar
 * Chhabili (1960)
 * Aanchal (1960) - Mohan
 * Modern Girl (1961) - Medicine Dealer
 * Zamana Badal Gaya (1961)
 * Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961) - Fellow Traveller (uncredited)
 * Kismet Palat Ke Dekh (1961)
 * Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961) - Mr. Ghosh
 * Dark Street (1961)
 * Professor (1962) - Artist
 * Soorat Aur Seerat (1962)
 * Rangoli (1962) - Police Inspector
 * Pathan (1962)
 * Gharni Shobha (1963)
 * Bandini (1963) - Chutti Babu
 * Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) - Ashok Kumar's Junior Lawyer
 * Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) - Prakash
 * Grahasti (1963) - Harish's Brother-In-Law
 * Awara Badal (1964) - Darshan Singh
 * Sangam (1964) - Indian Air Force Officer
 * Cha Cha Cha (1964) - Family doctor
 * Shehnai (1964)
 * Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) - Jagga
 * Apne Huye Paraye (1964) - Public Prosecutor
 * Shaheed (1965) - Public Prosecutor – Lahore
 * Guide (1965) - Inspector
 * Ajnabi (1966)
 * Phool Aur Patthar (1966) - Babu
 * Teesri Manzil (1966) - Police Inspector
 * Teesri Kasam (1966) - Zamindar Vikram Singh
 * Sagaai (1966) - Hospital doctor
 * Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) - Police Inspector
 * Hamraaz (1967) - Advocate Jagmohan Kumar
 * Maya (1967, TV Series) - Jank Bahadur
 * Duniya Nachegi (1967) - Jagdish
 * Sunghursh (1968) - Shankar B. Prasad
 * Do Dooni Char (1968) - Police Inspector Bukhari
 * Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) - Saxena
 * Ittefaq (1969) - Inspector Karwe
 * Sajan (1969) - Police Inspector
 * Rahgir (1969)
 * Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) - Keshav
 * Intaquam (1969) - Police Inspector
 * Sau Saal Beet Gaye (1970) - Indrajeet Singh
 * Prem Pujari (1970) - Indian Army Officer
 * The Train (1970) - Police Commissioner
 * Sawan Bhadon (1970) - Gauri Shankar
 * Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970) - Raja Sahab (Anuradha's Father)
 * My Love (1970) - Doctor
 * Johny Mera Naam (1970) - Chief Inspector Mehta
 * Bombay Talkie (1970) - Vizarat Khan
 * The Evil Within (1970) - Hannif
 * Safar (1970) - Prosecuting Lawyer
 * Khamoshi (1970) - Doctor
 * Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970) - Barna
 * Bhai-Bhai (1970) - Police Inspector
 * Irada (1971) - Police Inspector
 * Do Raha (1971) - Thakur / Geeta's Father
 * Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) - Nawab Safdarjung
 * Elaan (1971) - Police Chief
 * Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) - Ram's Friend
 * Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) - IGP
 * Sharmeelee (1971) - Colonel
 * Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1971) - Dr. Verma
 * Gambler (1971)
 * Door Ka Raahi (1972) - Uncle John
 * Kundan (1972)
 * Dastaan (1972) - Prosecuting Lawyer
 * Apradh (1972) - Police Inspector
 * Jawani Diwani (1972) - Thakur
 * Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972) - Kalpana's uncle
 * Zindagi Zindagi (1972) - Ismail
 * Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) - Vijay's Captain
 * Tanhai (1972) - Barrister Madanlal Kapoor
 * Rani Mera Naam (1972)
 * Pyaar Diwana (1972)
 * Parchhaiyan (1972) - Choudhary Shyamlal
 * Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972)
 * Bees Saal Pehle (1972) - Laxman
 * Sonal (1973)
 * Raja Rani (1973) - Suresh's Father
 * Loafer (1973) - Police Commissioner
 * Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) - Inspector Singh
 * Zanjeer (1973) - Police Commissioner Singh
 * Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) - Diwanji
 * Joshila (1973)
 * Nirdosh (1973)
 * Nanha Shikari (1973)
 * Haathi Ke Daant (1973)
 * Gaddar (1973) - Professor
 * Ek Nari Do Roop (1973) - Dinesh
 * Black Mail (1973) - Mr. Mehta
 * Anamika (1973) - Dr. Irshad Husain
 * Achanak (1973) - Colonel Bakshi
 * Dak Bangla (1974)
 * Chor Chor (1974)
 * Patthar Aur Payal (1974) - DIG B.K. Varma
 * Call Girl (1974) - Sonachand
 * Benaam (1974) - Police Commissioner (as Iftekhar)
 * Majboor (1974) - Police Inspector Khurana
 * Zehreela Insaan (1974) - Principal Vishamber Nath
 * Jeevan Sangram (1974) - Police Inspector
 * Woh Main Nahin (1974) - Prosecution Lawyer
 * Ujala Hi Ujala (1974) - Mr. Jamuna Prasad
 * Raja Shiv Chhatrapati (1974)
 * Raja Kaka (1974)
 * Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) - Seth Dhanraj
 * Jeevan Sangram (1974) - Police Inspector
 * Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) - Ghumli
 * Badla (1974) - DSP Lobo
 * Azad Mohabbat (1974)
 * 36 Ghante (1974) - Vijay's Father
 * Phanda (1975)
 * Deewaar (1975) - Mulk Raj Daavar
 * Ek Hans Ka Jora (1975) - Tina's Father
 * Dharmatma (1975) - Vikram Singh
 * Chori Mera Kaam (1975) - Police Commissioner (as Iftikar)
 * Zakhmee (1975) - Judge Ashok Ganguly
 * Sholay (1975) - Narmalaji (Radha's Father)
 * Saazish (1975) - Interpol Officer Mohanlal Saxena
 * Mazaaq (1975) - Moushumi's Father
 * Khel Khel Mein (1975) - Inspector Bhupendra Singh / Black Cobra
 * Jaan Hazir Hai (1975)
 * Badnaam (1975)
 * Aakhri Daao (1975) - Inspector Khurana
 * Kabhi Kabhie (1976) - Mr. Malhotra (uncredited)
 * Jaaneman (1976) - Police Commissioner
 * Fakira (1976) - Commissioner Sujit (Neeta's Father)
 * Ek Se Badhkar Ek (1976) - Police Commissioner (uncredited)
 * Laila Majnu (1976) - Emir Sharwari
 * Zindagi (1976) - Verma
 * Gumrah (1976) - Professor Gupta
 * Phir Janam Lenge Hum/Janam Janam Na Saathi (1977)
 * Do Dilwale (1977)
 * Dangal (1977)
 * Karm (1977) - Judge Shyamlal Kumar
 * Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) - Deepak's Father
 * Videsh (1977) - CBI Inspector Prasad Sinha
 * Paapi (1977) - Inspector (Raj Kumar's Foster Father)
 * Kali Raat (1977)
 * Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977) - Dr. Farid
 * Chandi Sona (1977) - Police Commissioner
 * Apnapan (1977) - Kishan Agarwal
 * Agent Vinod (1977) - Madanlal
 * Vishwanath (1978) - Police Commissioner Mahanta
 * Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978) - Gupta
 * Phaansi (1978) - Retired Sub-Inspector Mahendra Pratap Singh
 * Bandie (1978) - Senapati Raghuvir Singh
 * Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) - Dr. Pradhan
 * Besharam (1978) - Police Commissioner
 * Trishul (1978) - Mr. P.L. Varma
 * Don (1978) - DSP D'Silva
 * Tere Pyaar Mein (1978)
 * Khoon Ki Pukaar (1978) - Khan
 * Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) - Commissioner Kotwal
 * Khatta Meetha (1978) - Mr. Cooper (Lawyer)
 * Shikshaa (1979) - Rai Bahadur Dwarka Das Gupta
 * Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) - Inspector Shinde
 * Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) - Police Inspector
 * The Great Gambler (1979) - Deepchand
 * Noorie (1979) - Ghulam Nabi
 * Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
 * Surakshaa (1979) - CBI Head (as Iftakar)
 * Kaala Patthar (1979) - Col. Harpal Singh
 * Shaayad (1979) - Public Prosecutor
 * Love in Canada (1979) - Mr.Do Shatru Khanna
 * Cobra (1980)
 * Zalim (1980) - Inspector Kamat
 * The Burning Train (1980) - Railway Board Chair Jagmohan
 * Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)
 * Karz (1980) - Dr. Daniel
 * Dostana (1980) - Prosecuting Lawyer
 * Humkadam (1980) - Dr. Farid
 * Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) - The Judge
 * Sanjh Ki Bela (1980)
 * Maan Abhiman (1980) - Thakur Sumer Singh
 * Ganga Aur Suraj (1980)
 * Do Shatru (1980) - Karan sing
 * Bombay 405 Miles (1980) - Ranvir Singh
 * Naari (1981) - Hakeem Noor Ali
 * Krodhi (1981) - Commissioner of Police
 * Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) - Colonel (Diana's Father)
 * Agni Pareeksha (1981) - Psychiatrist Dr. Sen
 * Khoon Aur Paani (1981) - DSP Khan
 * Wardaat (1981) - Chief
 * Rocky (1981) - Dr. Bhagwandas
 * Harjaee (1981) - Dr. Gupta
 * Sannata (1981)
 * Baseraa (1981) - Dr. B.K. Gokhale
 * Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) - Dr. Dixit
 * Raksha (1981) - Head of the Secret Service
 * Raaz (1981) - Mr. Sharma
 * Laparwah (1981) - Inspector
 * Saath Saath (1982) - Mr. Gupta
 * Yeh Vaada Raha (1982) - Dr. Sahni
 * Rajput (1982) - Ram Avtaar Singh
 * Sun Sajna (1982) - Karim
 * Nikaah (1982) - Jumman Chacha
 * Bezubaan (1982) - Amarnath (Kalpana's Father)
 * Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) - Seth Daulatrai walia
 * Dil Hi Dil Mein (1982) - Mr. Sahni
 * Dard Ka Rishta (1982) - Head - Tata hospital
 * Apradhi Kaun ? (1982) - Mr. Khanna (Public Prosecutor)
 * Mangal Pandey (1983) - Police Superintendent R.P. Gupta (uncredited)
 * Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
 * Rachana (1983) - Doctor
 * Sun Meri Laila (1983) - Abid Khan
 * Mahaan (1983) - Police Commissioner (uncredited)
 * Jaane Jaan (1983) - Mr. Kapoor
 * Sadma (1983) - Train Passenger
 * Mazdoor (1983) - Kundanlal Batra
 * Qayamat (1983) - Retired Judge Sinha
 * Mawaali (1983) - Public Prosecutor
 * Rishta Kagaz Ka (1983) - Bhatnagar
 * Main Awara Hoon (1983) - Dr. Rashid
 * Haadsa (1983) - Police Inspector
 * Dharti Aakash (1983, TV Movie) - Saddanand Chowdhury
 * Prarthana (1984)
 * The Far Pavilions (1984, TV Mini-Series) - Nakshaband Khan (as Iftekhar)
 * Inquilaab (1984) - Bombay Police Commissioner
 * Mashaal (1984) - Doctor
 * Boxer (1984) - Rushie
 * Hanste Khelte (1984)-Lawyer Shanti Prasad Goel
 * Maqsad (1984) - Doctor
 * Ram Tera Desh (1984) - Police Commissioner
 * Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984) - Dr. John
 * Phulwari (1984) - Chowdhury
 * Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984) - Judge V.V. Deshmukh
 * Jagir (1984) - I.G. Praveen Singh
 * Awaaz (1984) - Police Commissioner
 * Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan (1984) - Akhtar Mirza
 * Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984) - CBI Officer
 * Mujhe Shakti Do (1984) - Jyoti's father - police commissioner
 * Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) - Police Commissioner Samant
 * Grahasthi (1984) - Karim
 * Aaj Ka Daur (1985) - Wealthy Man
 * Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985) - Pappa
 * Tawaif (1985) - Lala Fakirchand
 * Hum Dono (1985) - Seth. Mathura Das
 * Yudh (1985) - Commissioner
 * Misaal (1985) - Nath Saab
 * Meri Jung (1985) - Garewal Saab
 * Ek Daku Saher Mein (1985) - Jailor Shaukat Hussain
 * Jaanoo (1985) - Dr. Prabha's Senior
 * Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1985) - Target's Managing Partner
 * Awara Baap (1985) - Bihari
 * Yaar Kasam (1985)
 * Salma (1985) - Ustadji (as Iftikhar)
 * Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) - Mohamed Riyaz
 * Maujaan Dubai Diyaan (1985) - Roshanlal
 * Bond 303 (1985) - Commissioner of Police
 * Aakhri Chaal (1985, TV Movie)
 * Khamosh Nigahen (1986)
 * Locket (1986)
 * Tan-Badan (1986) - Diwan Devendra Pratap (uncredited)
 * Bhagwaan Dada (1986) - Doctor
 * Peechha Karro (1986) - Commissioner
 * Zindagani (1986) - Mr. Thakur – Sumitra Devi's Father (as Iftekhar)
 * Angaaray (1986) - Khan Chacha (as Iftekhar)
 * Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) - Senior Police Officer
 * Nazrana (1987) - Advocate
 * Itihaas (1987) - Senior Police Officer
 * Awam (1987) - Ram Kumar
 * Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987) - Doctor
 * Marte Dam Tak (1987) - D.C.P. Lal
 * Razia (1988)
 * Nagin Ke Do Dushman (1988)
 * Tamacha (1988) - Senior Officer (as Iftekhar)
 * Falak (1988 film) - Mr. D'Souza
 * Commando (1988) - Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
 * Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga (1988) - Inspector General of Police (as Iftekhar)
 * Woh Phir Aayegi (1988) - Raju's Dad
 * Main Tere Liye (1988) - Advocate Mehta
 * Dharam Shatru (1988)
 * Saaya (1989)
 * Guru (1989) - Dead in photograph (uncredited)
 * Farz Ki Jung (1989) - Mr. Walia
 * Na-Insaafi (1989) - Khanna (Ravi's dad)
 * Nocturne Indien (1989) - Le professeur de théosophie
 * Shiva (1989) - Principal (as Iftekhar)
 * Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) - Police Commissioner
 * Akanksha (1989, TV Movie) - Employer (as Iftekhar)
 * Vidrohi (1990)
 * Karishma Kismat Ka (1990)
 * Maha-Sangram (1990) - Rahim
 * Kanoon Ki Zanjeer (1990) - Jailor
 * Kaaranama (1990) -Suraj's Father
 * Jaan-E-Wafa (1990)
 * Patthar Ke Phool (1991) Smuggler, Cameo Role
 * Iraada (1991) - Ali
 * Lakhpati (1991)
 * Hayratt (1992)
 * City of Joy (1992) - Hasari's Father
 * Khule-Aam (1992) - Col. Pratap Singh Rana (as Iftikhar)
 * Bekhudi (1992) - (as Iftekhar Khan)
 * Kala Coat (1993) - Professor Khurana
 * Yaar Meri Zindagi (2008) - Munim