He expresses no overt resentment, but the late and great writer-actor Kader Khan’s son Sarfarazs bitterness spills through when he talks of the way his illustrious father was neglected by the film industry after he migrated to Canada to live with his three sons.
Shakti Kapoor, David Dhawan and Govinda were others who worked very closely with Kader Khan during the 1980s and 1990s. Govinda has gone on record to say Kader Khan was like a father figure to him.
Sarfaraz laughed mirthlessly, and said: “Please ask Govinda how many times he inquired about his father figure’s health. Has he even bothered to call us even once after my father’s passing away? This is the way our film industry has become.
Sarfaraz said: “It is the way the Indian film industry has become now. There are too many fragmented camps and loyalties. The out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality can’t be helped.
“My father always told us, his sons, not to expect anything from anybody and we grew up with the belief that one must do what is required in life and expect nothing in return.”
#KaderKhan’s son on #Govinda’s ‘father figure’ comment: He didn’t call us even oncehttps://t.co/tDsJlVtrqt pic.twitter.com/BSB8D6eGoM
— HT Entertainment (@htshowbiz) January 3, 2019
Govinda and Kader made one of the most adored on-screen pairs of 90’s Hindi cinema. They have worked in films like Dulhe Raja, Sajan Chale Sasural, Coolie No. 1, Aankhen, Haseena Maan Jayegi and many more.
Raveena Tandon, who has also worked with Govinda and Khan in many films, expressed her grief over the actor’s death. “I was always bowled over by his comic timing on screen and his erudition between takes. He was a scholar and an entertainer, a rare combination in the entertainment industry,” she said.
“Waking up to such a sad news was really disheartening for me. Kader Khan was such a rare talent and whatever parts he played he would add a different charm to it. Someone who can portray a comedian and a villain at same time with such ease is rare,” she sighed.
RIP Kader Khan Saab.
He was not just my "ustaad" but a father figure to me, his midas touch and his aura made every actor he worked with a superstar. The entire film industry and my family deeply mourns this loss and we cannot express the sorrow in words.#ripkaderkhansaab🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/NISPM1UMs1— Govinda (@govindaahuja21) January 1, 2019