Yousuf Khan (actor)


Yousuf Khan was one of Pakistan's most respected actors.
He appeared in more than four hundred films in Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto languages over his 46 year long career. Among his important movies were Ziddi, which turned him into a leading actor, and But Shikan, both recipients of Nigar Awards. His 1974 Punjabi film Khatarnak became one of the first Punjabi films to achieve Diamond Jubilee status, running for over 100 weeks in both Lahore and Karachi. He played leading roles till his last active years in the industry, including in Budha Gujjar.

Early life and education

According to family sources, Yousuf Khan was born in 1933 in Ferozepur, British India. Following the Partition of India in 1947, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan. His father, Khan Nawaz Khan, was a barrister by profession. Khan received his early education at Islamia High School, Bhatti Gate, Lahore. During his studies one of his classmates would be future filmmaker Riaz Shahid, the father of actor-director Shaan.
Khan was an avid pigeon enthusiast who brought his prized pigeons with him during the 1947 migration. His beloved pigeons remained a lifelong hobby and part of his public image.

Career

Yousuf Khan first appeared on film sets as a spectator during a shoot in Lahore’s Bagh-e-Jinnah; he made his debut in the film Parwaaz in 1954. He started his film career as a supporting actor, but later matured into a lead actor, especially with Ziddi. He started his film career when the Pakistani film industry was ruled by big name actors like Sudhir, Santosh Kumar, Darpan and Aslam Pervaiz. He made a name for himself first as a romantic hero in Urdu language films. Later on, in the late 1970s till the mid-1990s, he became known as an action hero in Punjabi and Pashto language films.

Death

Yousuf Khan died on 19 September 2009 at age 76 at Lahore, Pakistan of cardiac arrest. He was buried in the town of his birth, his hometown Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan.

Awards and recognition

Selected filmography

Parwaaz Hasrat Nagin Laggan Do Raste Susral Khamosh Raho Malangi Maa Baap Imam Din Gohavia Taj Mahal Dil-i-Betaab Babul Gharnata Khoon Da Darya Ziddi Jawab Do Seedha Raasta Khatarnak Khooni Sharif Badmash Chitra Te Shera Phool aur Sholay Warrant Yaar da Sehra Yarana Takrao General Bakht Khan Dushman Dar Rustam Tey Khan Wadda Khan Ghulami Joora Disco Dancer Khuda Gawah Umar Mukhtar Allah RakhaBau JiBharosaChann PuttarChann VeerChhanga Tay MangaDushman Mera YaarJapani GuddiKhan -E- AzamKhatarnakNaginQissa KhawaniSher Maidaan DaSheraSohni MahiwalTere Ishq NachayaBuddha Gujjar
  • ''Arrain Da Kharak''