The late Bollywood actor Faraz Khan captured attention in the 1990s with his strong personality and acting skills. Few know that he was the first choice for the blockbuster film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya.’ However, due to health issues, he could not take on the role, which eventually went to Salman Khan. Interestingly, years later, when Faraz was fighting for his life, it was Salman who stepped in to help him.
Faraz Khan was born on May 27, 1970, in Mumbai. He was the eldest son of actor Yusuf Khan, known in the film industry as Jibisco, who played significant roles in various films. From a young age, Faraz dreamed of entering the film industry. His big break came when director Sooraj Barjatya was searching for new faces for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya.’
Many young actors auditioned for the film, including Salman Khan and Deepak Tijori. Reports suggest that Sooraj Barjatya favored Faraz Khan and was close to casting him. Unfortunately, just before shooting began, Faraz fell ill with jaundice, which prevented him from participating in the film. Consequently, the role went to Salman Khan, launching his illustrious career.
Faraz finally made his Bollywood debut in 1996 with the film ‘Fareb,’ alongside Suman Ranganathan and Milind Gunaji. The song ‘Teri Aankhein Jhuki Jhuki’ from the film became quite popular. He later appeared in ‘Prithvi’ with Suniel Shetty.
In 1998, the film ‘Mehndi’ brought Faraz Khan considerable recognition. He starred opposite Rani Mukerji, playing the role of a greedy husband. The film, based on the social issue of dowry, garnered significant attention at the time. However, the recognition did not translate into a successful career for Faraz.
Following ‘Mehndi,’ Faraz worked in films like ‘Dulhan Banu Main Teri,’ ‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya,’ and ‘Chaand Bujh Gaya,’ but none achieved major success. Gradually, his film appearances dwindled, leading him to shift focus to television. He appeared in shows like ‘Lipstick,’ ‘Achanak 37 Saal Baad,’ and ‘Shh… Koi Hai.’
In 2020, Faraz Khan’s health began to deteriorate. He battled a neurological disease and chest infection, requiring hospitalization in Bengaluru, where he was placed on a ventilator. His family needed financial assistance for his treatment, prompting Pooja Bhatt to appeal for help on social media. Salman Khan generously covered Faraz Khan’s medical bills, as revealed by Kashmera Shah on social media.