Gulfam Khan is an Indian actress, writer, and stand-up comedian. She is known for playing the role of Rajni Amma in the SAB television show R K Laxman Ki Duniya (2011).
Wiki/Biography
Gulfam Khan Hussain was born on Friday, 6 June 1975 (age 53 years; as of 2022) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her zodiac sign is Gemini. She attended Silver Beach High School, Juhu, Mumbai. After that, she pursued Bachelor’s degree in Commerce at the Tolani College of Commerce, Mumbai, India. Inclined towards acting since childhood, Gulfam Khan used to participate in various plays in school.
Gulfam Khan’s (left) childhood image with her brother
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Gulfam Khan belongs to a Pathan family.
Parents & Siblings
Gulfam Khan’s father’s name is Rehmatulla Khan. He is a businessman.
A picture of Gulfam Khan Hussain and her father, Rehmatullah Khan
Her mother’s name is Chandbi Khan, she is a housewife.
Gulfam Khan and her mother, Chandbi Khan
She has a brother named Shakir Khan and three sisters named Noor Jhan Khan, Rubina Khan, and Amina Khan. During the partition of India, her grandparents migrated from Pakistan to India and settled in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. Later, her family relocated to Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Gulfam Khan’s image with her brother
Husband
On 1 May 2013, Gulfam Khan got married to Sajjad Ali, who is settled in London. In an interview, Gulfam Khan talked about her marriage and said,
Yes, it is a pleasant feeling to be married. My husband works with the British Government, and keeps traveling a lot. I will now shuttle between Mumbai and London, as my work is based here. Well, as of now we will have some good family bonding. When I am working, I will be here. When I am not working, I will move to London.”
Gulfam Khan with her Husband, Sajjad Ali
Religion
Gulfam Khan follows Islam.
Career
Television
Gulfam Khan started her acting career in 1998 with Sony’s episodic television show C.I.D. After her debut in C.I.D, she appeared in the StarPlus television show Jeet (2003), where she played the role of Mrs Makhija. In 2018, she appeared in the Hindi television show Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga in which she played the role of Naznin. In a media interview, Gulfam Khan talked about the television show and said,
I really enjoy doing such shows. I am a voracious reader and I love reading and watching Harry Potter series. So I like such kind of shows and stories which include magic. I watch more of kids shows and barely any daily soaps. I enjoy things which are around fantasy and something that’s unanswered really intrigues me. Thats the same reason I love magical and mystical shows.”
Gulfam Khan as ‘Naznin’ in the Hindi television show Aladdin- Naam Toh Suna Hoga (2018)
Subsequently, she went on to appear in many Hindi television shows, such as Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka (2005), Lipstick(2002), Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan, and Kanpur Ke Sholay (2028). In 2021, she appeared in the SAB television show Ziddi Dil Maane Na in which she portrayed the role of Mr Batra. In an interview, she talked about her role in the show and said,
I never see myself getting typecast. It is very rare that an actor plays a comic and a negative character at the same time. I played a comic role in ‘Chi and Me’ and a negative in ‘Betiyaan’ simultaneously. It was a challenge yet enjoyable. The television industry is a very huge yet a close knit unit and that’s what your goodwill is built on. I have always come out powerful on screen. Television shows have given me family like friends. I am grateful to them.”
Gulfam Khan in a still from the Hindi television show Ziddi Dil Maane Na (2021)
Films
Gulfam Khan is also known for playing cameo roles in Bollywood movies such as Ek Haseena Thi (2004), Gayab (2004), Mod (2011), Talaash (2012), Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum (2012), Lakshmi (2014), and The Legend of Michael Mishra (2016). In an interview, she talked about her appearance in the Hindi film Lakshmi and said,
Yes, it feels great because I want people to watch good cinema. Lakshmi may not be a conventional film but it’s hard-hitting and very bold. It actually shows you what happens to girls, both in the interiors and in urban areas. Nagesh Kukunoor has taken up a subject which people usually shy away from.”
Writer
In 2003, she started writing screenplays and scripted some renowned shows such as Comedy Circus, the International movie ‘Hisss’, etc. In a media interview, she talked about her career in writing and said,
I would not say an alternate career but a parallel career. In fact, I have a couple of scripts ready with me and I am also writing a book called Jalebi.”
Favourites
- Food: Cheese Chilly, Mutton Curry
- Film(s): Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
- Song(s): Tere Mast Mast Do Nain from the Hindi film Dabangg (2010), Surili Akhiyon Wale from the film Veer (2010)
Facts/Trivia
- Gulfam Khan is a tech junkie. In an interview, she expressed her love for electronic gadgets and said,
I love gizmos and keep purchasing new ones. It is not for show off, but because I want to keep a track of the latest technologies. I make it a point to keep myself updated. I own a Kindle, a Sony reader, Xbox etc. My latest buy is an iPhone 5S, which my husband has picked up in the UK for me. I’m waiting for him to come with bated breath so that I can lay my hands on the phone.”
- Her hobbies include reading books, painting, shopping, and travelling.
- In a media interview, Gulfam Khan said that despite her parents being sceptical about the entertainment industry, she wanted to pursue a career in acting. She quoted,
My family is very critical about my work. But when I entered my sister’s house three days ago, my niece called out to me, ‘Aao Aladdin ki Chachi’, that in itself is an achievement for me. It feels so nice when you are known by the character you have portrayed.”
- Apart from acting, she has also appeared in commercials for various brands such as ‘Ayush Shampoo’, ‘Laxmi ginger garlic’, ‘Haldirams’, ‘Laxmi Atta, and ‘Onida.’
Gulfam Khan in Haldiram Gulabjamun and Rasgulla advertisement
- She follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Gulfam Khan’s Instagram post about her food habit
- According to Gulfam Khan, she can imitate any accent quickly. In an interview, she talked about this and said,
I can pick up accents very fast! From Hyderabadi Hindi to Punjabi and a Tamilian accent, I can imitate anyone if I listen to them for a few minutes. I have done 20 projects in my career so far and have played 16 different characters, each of which had different accents and looks.”
- Gulfam Khan, in an interview, said that she observes fast on both festivals, Ramzan, the 30-day fasting for Muslims and Navratra, a nine-day festival for Hindus.
I fast on the days when I am not shooting because I suffer from migraine and that gets aggravated if I fast. So when I have a holiday I fast because then I don’t have to worry about work. I have always enjoyed fasting and hence Ramzan is not the only month when I fast. I do it even during Navratri and Lent. Religious rituals always have a scientific base and fasting heals your body cells. Hence the idea of fasting is a healthy way of living and it works for me.”