, when Amjad Khan was told, “Aapka kirdaar, aapka yogdaan Bharatiya film industry main bohot raha hai (Your character and contribution have been immensely important for the Indian film industry) ,” he immediately interjected with, “Yeh aapki rai hai. Bohot log muttafiq nahi hai isse (That’s your opinion but I’m afraid not many people agree).” Even though the actor later rubbishes the notion that he has been typecast and thanks his directors, it’s hard to dismiss Gabbar Singh’s impact – and chokehold – on Khan’s trajectory. Despite being a gifted actor who began as a theatre actor, Khan was often cast as an exaggerated caricature, usually that of a villain. When his name was suggested for Nawab Wajid Ali Khan in Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977), director Satyajit Ray was initially unsure. Sholay had released only two years before Ray’s Hindi debut and Gabbar loomed large over Indian cinema. Ray decided to take a chance with Khan and the actor’s first day on the set had him performing the tragic “Jab chhod chale Lucknownagari” scene. , Khan moved the 200 people watching him to tears. Ray’s film was perhaps the first glimpse of how versatile Khan truly was. On his 82nd birth anniversary, we look back at some of the roles that showcased the benevolence, humour and depth of the actor Amjad Khan.