Actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his roles in over 500 films including hits such as Welcome, Gadar and Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke, passed away in Mumbai on Thursday night. He was 56.

Mushtaq died after a battle with cancer, his son Mohsin said.

The actor was admitted to Nanavati hospital in suburban Mumbai about a fortnight ago. "He passed away due to cancer at Nanavati hospital at around 7pm. He had complained of stomach pain, so we took him to the hospital where doctors discovered that he has cancer. His health worsened in the last few days," his son Mohsin told PTI.

"He was perfectly fine, he had no major issues, rather he was shooting for the debut film of Shera's (Salman Khan's bodyguard) son prior to his hospitalization," he said.

In a career spanning five decades, Khan acted in over 500 movies and garnered wide popularity through his supporting roles. Some of his other popular movies include Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Aashiqui (1990), Hera Pheri (2000), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Khiladi 786 (2012), Stree (2018), Badhaai Do (2022), Gadar 2 (2023), Stree 2 (2024), and Baby John (2024). He is particularly remembered for his funny bit in Welcome (2007) where he played a disabled hockey player.

He is survived by his wife, son and a daughter. His funeral will be held on Friday.