Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif Birth Anniversary: What Iftekhar Wanted to Be vs. What He Became

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, was known for his distinctive mannerisms and strong screen presence, often playing roles like police inspectors, lawyers, and fathers, leaving a lasting impression on audiences

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Born in Kanpur on February 22, 1920, Iftekhar initially aspired to be a singer, driven by his passion for music during his mischievous childhood, rather than pursuing an acting career

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

After completing his education at Christ Church College and studying art in Lucknow, Iftekhar's journey into the film industry was serendipitous, beginning when he auditioned for HMV as a singer

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

His fluency in Bengali impressed industry professionals, leading to a chance meeting with Hemant Kumar and Talat Mahmood, which opened doors to the film world

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Composer Pankaj Ji offered Iftekhar a lead role after recognizing his talent, and with his father’s blessing, he moved to Mumbai to pursue acting more seriously

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

A pivotal encounter with Ashok Kumar introduced Iftekhar to various producers, eventually landing him significant roles in films like 'Muqaddar', 'Mirza Ghalib', 'Jaagte Raho', and 'Sangam'

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

His performance in the film 'Ittefaq' cemented his reputation, leading to frequent casting as a police inspector or lawyer, although he occasionally missed his original dream of singing

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Iftekhar’s contribution to films such as 'Mirza Ghalib', 'Noorie', and 'Nikaah' included deeply moving scenes that stayed with him throughout his career

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Reflecting on his life, Iftekhar cherished every moment and hoped that his legacy would be remembered fondly by his admirers, viewing their tears as a testament to his impact

Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif

Despite the twists in his career path, Iftekhar embraced his journey, valuing the roles he played and the memories he created within the film industry