Today, Ishtiyak Khan is known for his comic timing and memorable roles alongside Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha and Salman Khan in Bharat. But before the glamour and fame, his life was marked by financial hardships and quiet resilience. Long before becoming a professional actor, Ishtiyak had to rely on side gigs to make ends meet. One such job was running an omelette stall—a detail from his life that many would find surprising given his current success.
A graduate of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Ishtiyak initially worked as an acting instructor. Despite his academic achievements and deep involvement in theatre, he still faced financial limitations that led him to seek alternative sources of income. He once set up an egg stall near the same school where he taught, selling omelettes in the evening to support himself.
A Moment of Humiliation
Ishtiyak’s modest effort to stay afloat took an emotional turn when one of his students unexpectedly appeared at the stall. Recognizing his teacher behind the food counter, the student was visibly shocked. For Ishtiyak, it was a deeply embarrassing moment. Ashamed and unsure how to face his pupils, he skipped work the following day. However, what followed was a life lesson wrapped in kindness. The student returned with his father, respectfully introducing Ishtiyak as their teacher. The father said nothing, but the silent acceptance stayed with him. It was one of his seniors who helped him overcome his shame, reminding him that there was dignity in honest work and that selling eggs was not a disgrace.
Lessons from His Hometown
Ishtiyak attributes much of his grounded nature to the values he inherited from his hometown. Growing up in a modest environment, surrounded by empathy and humility, helped shape his outlook on life. He often recalls how his friends never made him feel inferior despite his financial condition. They would share their bicycles and scooters with him without hesitation, never treating him differently. That sense of equality and shared humanity stayed with him, instilling in him a deep respect for decency and kindness.
Facing Harsh Realities in Mumbai
However, when he moved to Mumbai to pursue his acting dreams, the city’s social structure came as a harsh shock. Ishtiyak, who had been accustomed to inclusivity and emotional warmth, was disturbed by the discrimination he witnessed—particularly housing bias against Dalits and Muslims. Having been friends with people across all social backgrounds, he found this divisive behavior difficult to digest. The cultural differences between his upbringing and the metropolitan mindset created a significant emotional hurdle for him.
A Career Built on Perseverance
Today, Ishtiyak Khan’s filmography includes roles in films like Tees Maar Khan, Maidaan, and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. His journey from selling eggs on the roadside to sharing screen space with Bollywood’s biggest names stands as a quiet testament to perseverance, humility, and the courage to embrace one’s roots—no matter how unglamorous they may seem.
Ishtiyak Khan: A Journey Through Films, Television, and Web Series
Born as Istayak Arif Khan on April 15, 1976, Ishtiyak Khan is a versatile Indian performer widely recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema and television. Over the years, he has become a familiar face in the entertainment world, thanks to his distinct acting style and ability to breathe life into a variety of characters. His career spans across major Bollywood productions, television serials, and digital series, making him one of the most reliable character actors of his generation.
Ishtiyak first garnered widespread attention with his breakout performance as an English teacher in the satirical comedy Phas Gaye Re Obama. His humorous portrayal of the role not only earned him critical acclaim but also turned into a viral sensation on social media, as memes and clips of his scenes were widely circulated and appreciated. This marked the beginning of his journey into public consciousness, laying the foundation for his future roles in cinema.
Another pivotal moment in his career came when he played Rajesh Autowala in Imtiaz Ali's film Tamasha, where he starred alongside Ranbir Kapoor. His portrayal of the lovable auto driver earned him both audience affection and industry respect. From there, his film journey expanded with key roles in several well-received movies.
In Anurag Basu’s anthology crime-comedy Ludo, Ishtiyak appeared as a police inspector, once again showing his flexibility in adapting to various genres. In the socially conscious comedy Janhit Mein Jaari, he played the character of Purushottam, delivering a performance that was both entertaining and socially relevant. In Anaarkali of Aarah, a film addressing gender politics, he contributed to the ensemble cast with a memorable supporting role.
Ishtiyak also made an impression in major commercial films. He portrayed Chaurasia in Salman Khan's Bharat, added humor and authenticity as Vasu, the lawyer from Rohtak, in Jolly LLB, played the role of Sunny in the comedy FryDay, and took on the character of Munna in the family drama Ammaa Ki Boli. Each of these roles reflected his ability to adapt to diverse storylines and characters, establishing him as a dependable supporting actor.
Apart from films, Ishtiyak has also had a strong presence on the small screen. In the 2022 season of The Kapil Sharma Show, he played Kappu Ka Sasur, contributing to the comic energy of the popular sketch comedy series. Earlier, he had portrayed Puttan in the political satire Har Shaakh Pe Ullu Baithaa Hai, where his comic timing and character work received positive feedback.
Ishtiyak has also explored digital platforms, expanding his repertoire to web series. One of his notable roles in the online space was in Bhuvan Bam’s hit YouTube series Dhindora, where he played the role of Boss. This move into digital entertainment showcased his adaptability and relevance in changing media landscapes.
From viral memes to impactful roles across various platforms, Ishtiyak Khan continues to build a dynamic career shaped by versatility, sincerity, and talent.
A graduate of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Ishtiyak initially worked as an acting instructor. Despite his academic achievements and deep involvement in theatre, he still faced financial limitations that led him to seek alternative sources of income. He once set up an egg stall near the same school where he taught, selling omelettes in the evening to support himself.
A Moment of Humiliation
Ishtiyak’s modest effort to stay afloat took an emotional turn when one of his students unexpectedly appeared at the stall. Recognizing his teacher behind the food counter, the student was visibly shocked. For Ishtiyak, it was a deeply embarrassing moment. Ashamed and unsure how to face his pupils, he skipped work the following day. However, what followed was a life lesson wrapped in kindness. The student returned with his father, respectfully introducing Ishtiyak as their teacher. The father said nothing, but the silent acceptance stayed with him. It was one of his seniors who helped him overcome his shame, reminding him that there was dignity in honest work and that selling eggs was not a disgrace.
Lessons from His Hometown
Ishtiyak attributes much of his grounded nature to the values he inherited from his hometown. Growing up in a modest environment, surrounded by empathy and humility, helped shape his outlook on life. He often recalls how his friends never made him feel inferior despite his financial condition. They would share their bicycles and scooters with him without hesitation, never treating him differently. That sense of equality and shared humanity stayed with him, instilling in him a deep respect for decency and kindness.
Facing Harsh Realities in Mumbai
However, when he moved to Mumbai to pursue his acting dreams, the city’s social structure came as a harsh shock. Ishtiyak, who had been accustomed to inclusivity and emotional warmth, was disturbed by the discrimination he witnessed—particularly housing bias against Dalits and Muslims. Having been friends with people across all social backgrounds, he found this divisive behavior difficult to digest. The cultural differences between his upbringing and the metropolitan mindset created a significant emotional hurdle for him.
A Career Built on Perseverance
Today, Ishtiyak Khan’s filmography includes roles in films like Tees Maar Khan, Maidaan, and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. His journey from selling eggs on the roadside to sharing screen space with Bollywood’s biggest names stands as a quiet testament to perseverance, humility, and the courage to embrace one’s roots—no matter how unglamorous they may seem.
Ishtiyak Khan: A Journey Through Films, Television, and Web Series
Born as Istayak Arif Khan on April 15, 1976, Ishtiyak Khan is a versatile Indian performer widely recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema and television. Over the years, he has become a familiar face in the entertainment world, thanks to his distinct acting style and ability to breathe life into a variety of characters. His career spans across major Bollywood productions, television serials, and digital series, making him one of the most reliable character actors of his generation.
Ishtiyak first garnered widespread attention with his breakout performance as an English teacher in the satirical comedy Phas Gaye Re Obama. His humorous portrayal of the role not only earned him critical acclaim but also turned into a viral sensation on social media, as memes and clips of his scenes were widely circulated and appreciated. This marked the beginning of his journey into public consciousness, laying the foundation for his future roles in cinema.
Another pivotal moment in his career came when he played Rajesh Autowala in Imtiaz Ali's film Tamasha, where he starred alongside Ranbir Kapoor. His portrayal of the lovable auto driver earned him both audience affection and industry respect. From there, his film journey expanded with key roles in several well-received movies.
In Anurag Basu’s anthology crime-comedy Ludo, Ishtiyak appeared as a police inspector, once again showing his flexibility in adapting to various genres. In the socially conscious comedy Janhit Mein Jaari, he played the character of Purushottam, delivering a performance that was both entertaining and socially relevant. In Anaarkali of Aarah, a film addressing gender politics, he contributed to the ensemble cast with a memorable supporting role.
Ishtiyak also made an impression in major commercial films. He portrayed Chaurasia in Salman Khan's Bharat, added humor and authenticity as Vasu, the lawyer from Rohtak, in Jolly LLB, played the role of Sunny in the comedy FryDay, and took on the character of Munna in the family drama Ammaa Ki Boli. Each of these roles reflected his ability to adapt to diverse storylines and characters, establishing him as a dependable supporting actor.
Apart from films, Ishtiyak has also had a strong presence on the small screen. In the 2022 season of The Kapil Sharma Show, he played Kappu Ka Sasur, contributing to the comic energy of the popular sketch comedy series. Earlier, he had portrayed Puttan in the political satire Har Shaakh Pe Ullu Baithaa Hai, where his comic timing and character work received positive feedback.
Ishtiyak has also explored digital platforms, expanding his repertoire to web series. One of his notable roles in the online space was in Bhuvan Bam’s hit YouTube series Dhindora, where he played the role of Boss. This move into digital entertainment showcased his adaptability and relevance in changing media landscapes.
From viral memes to impactful roles across various platforms, Ishtiyak Khan continues to build a dynamic career shaped by versatility, sincerity, and talent.
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