Career

Abbas Khan made his debut in Chetan Anand's 1964 film Haqeeqat followed by the Rajshri film Dosti. In the 1960s and 1970s, Khan starred in hit movies like Dus Lakh, Ek Phool Do Mali, Intaqam etc. He co-starred with his elder brother Feroz Khan in the films Upaasna (1971), Mela (1971) and Nagin (1976).

He turned producer and director of three films in which he played the leading role and scripted popular films like Chandi Sona (1977), Abdullah (1980) and Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986).

In 1990 he starred in and directed India's first mega historical fiction television series The Sword of Tipu Sultan based on the novel of the same name. On the first shooting schedule of The Sword of Tipu Sultan in Premier Studios in Mysore, he survived a major fire accident with 65% third-degree burns. He recovered after 13 months in hospital and had the courage and conviction to complete this classic. It is admired for his great performance in the title role of Tipu Sultan besides scripting and directing the series.

He produced and directed the mega Indian TV series, based on life of Maratha General Mahadji Scindia: The Great Maratha. It captures the third Panipat war depicting the courage and tenacity of the Marathas who faced a formidable army of the Afghan invader Ahmed shah Abdali in 1769. This historical serial was presented in a manner never before seen in the Indian television history for its authentic presentation.

In the mid-1990s he produced and directed the mega TV-series Jai Hanuman (1997-2000). This immensely popular drama was highly appreciated by for its presentation of the birth and childhood of Lord Hanuman for the first time in cinema/television history. He also created dramas like 1857 Kranti and Maharathi Karna.

The Golden Palms Hotel and Spa five-star deluxe hotel at Bengaluru, his hometown was conceived designed and constructed by him.

Achievements

• Uttar Pradesh Film journalists Association Award 1981.
• Andhra Pradesh journalist award 1986.
• The Gem of India Award for Excellence 1993.
• The Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award 1993.
• The Udyog Ratna Gold Medal Award 1994.
• The Aashirwad Award 1994.
• The Arch of Excellence Award 1994.
• National Citizen's Award 1994.
• The Glory of India Award 1995.
• The Super Achiever of India Award 1995.
• Hind Gaurav Award 1997.
• Kashi Pandit Sansad Award.
• Business Initiation Development Award 1997.
• Honour of Lifetime Achiever Award 1996.
• Achiever of Millennium Award 1999.
• The Millennium Achievers 2000.
• American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin 2006.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award by Screen Star 2009.

Resort

In 1997, he launched his dream project — the five-star deluxe Golden Palms Hotel and Spa in Bangalore. He completed this 150-room hotel with built up area of approximately 300,000 sq ft, with the largest swimming pool ever built in India containing 300,000 litres of water. It has sprawling gardens with majestic fountains creating an ambiance which has been widely acclaimed and admired. Golden Palms Hotel and Spa was conceived, designed, constructed was owned by him till 2010; his wife Zarine Katrak designed the interiors.

Personal life

Shah Abbas Khan alias Sanjay Khan was born in Bangalore to a Ghaznavi Pathan Muslim liberal family. Khan is married to Zarine Katrak (a well-known model of the 60s). Zarine acted as the secretary of Devanand in the film Tere Ghar Ke Saamne in 1963 and post her marriage to Sanjay in 1966, she quit acting They have three daughters and a son. Elder daughter Farah was born on 28 December 1969 (married to DJ Aqeel), second daughter Simone was born on 12 February 1971 (married to Ajay Arora managing director and owner of D'decor), and his youngest daughter Sussanne Khan was born on 26 October 1978 (formerly married to actor Hrithik Roshan). Son Zayed Khan was born on 5 July 1980. Actor Fardeen Khan is his nephew.

Sanjay Khan has a passion for cars, especially imported ones. He loves animals like horses and dogs; he is a first-class horse rider and has owned the great champion horse Prince Khartoum. Prince Khartoum was the first horse in the history of Indian horseracing to win the triple crown of Bangalore Derby 1971, the Indian Derby in 1972 and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup 1972. He has owned and bred many dogs like Saluki hounds, Great Danes, Alsatians, Dalmatians, Schipperkes and miniature Pomeranians.

Sanjay Khan has reserved a large parcel of land to build a charity general hospital, a college of arts and science, and a vocational training centre for widows. He is a voracious reader.

Fire accident

A major fire accident took place on 8 February 1990 in the Premier Studios of Mysore where the serial The Sword of Tipu Sultan was being shot. Loose wiring and absence of ventilators were further causes for the fire to spread. Instead of fire-proofing material, the walls had gunny bags and the temperature rose to around 120 °C (248 °F) because of huge lights being used. All these factors contributed to the massive fire, and the final death toll was 52. Sanjay Khan suffered major burns and had to spend 13 months in hospital and undergo 73 surgeries.

Filmography

Actor

• The Sword of Tipu Sultan (TV serial) (1990-1991) .... Tipu Sultan
• Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986) .... Raja
• Abdullah (1980) .... Emir-e-Rajasthan Sheikh Mohammed Al Qamal
• Chingaari (1977)
• Chandi Sona (1977) .... Mayur
• Mastan Dada (1977)
• Mera Vachan Geeta Ki Kasam (1977)
• Nagin (1976) .... Suraj
• Zindagi Aur Toofan (1975)
• Asliyat(1974)
• Duniya Ka Mela (1974)
• Trimurti (1974) .... Vijay
• Dhund (1973) .... Advocate Suresh Saxena
• Sone Ke Haath'' (1973)
• Daaman Aur Aag (1973)
• Madhavi (1973)
• Chingari (1973) with Leena Chandrivarkar
• Anokhi Pehchan (1972)
• Babul Ki Galiyaan (1972)
• Sab Ka Saathi(1972)
• Dharkan (1972)
• Wafaa (1972) .... Shyam Thakur
• Upaasna (1971)
• Haseenon Ka Devata (1971) .... Jai
• Mela (1971)
• Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971)
• Maharaja (1970)
• Pushpanjali (1970) .... Dinesh Khanna
• Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (1970)
• Beti (1969) .... Dr. Rajesh Anand
• Intaquam (1969) .... Rajpal/Rajoo
• Ek Phool Do Mali (1969)
• Shart (1969) .... Raj
• Abhilasha (1968)
• Milan Ki Raat (1967)
• Dil Ne Pukara (1967)
• Dillagi (1966) .... Joseph Amrine
• Dus Lakh (1966)
• Haqeeqat (1964) .... Soldier
• Dosti (1964)

Director

• Maha Kavya Mahabharat1 (2001) (mini) TV series
• Jai Hanuman (1997-2000) TV series
• The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1989)
• Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986)
• Abdullah (1980)
• Chandi Sona (1977)
• The Great Maratha 1992

Producer

• Abdullah (1980) (producer)
• Chandi Sona (1977) (producer)
• Kala Dhandha Gore Log (1986) (producer)

Scripting

• Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986)
• The Sword of Tipu Sultan
• The Great Maratha
• Jai Hanuman
• 1857 Kranti
• Maharathi karn

Miscellaneous crew

• Abdullah (1980) (presenter)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]