Meet Amitabh Bachchan’s co-star and Zeenat Aman’s uncle who acted in 500 films but couldn’t afford a house or car; his son studied under a lamp post

Stories of old-time actors struggling in their later years aren’t rare. Many big stars who ruled the film industry in the 1950s and 60s ended up with little to their name because they didn’t think of saving for the future. This is exactly what happened with veteran actor Murad.

He was seen alongside some of the biggest legends in Indian cinema, from 'Mughal-E-Azam' to 'Do Bigha Zamin'. But behind the fame, Murad’s life was far from glamorous. Even after acting in over 500 films, he never owned a house or a car.


His son, actor Raza Murad, recently spoke about this in an interview that shines a light on the tough truths of showbiz. What he shared is not just a touching look at his father’s legacy but also a lesson on why planning for the future is so important.
‘I witnessed difficulties in life’
Speaking on the Filmy Charcha YouTube channel, Raza Murad opened up about how hard life really was behind the scenes. Despite Murad’s long and iconic career, their family struggled with money.

“I witnessed difficulties in life,” Raza said, remembering his childhood days in Bhopal. He shared that their home didn’t even have electricity. “I used to study for my exams under a lamp post. I would start at midnight and finish at 6 am.” It’s hard to believe that while Murad was busy acting in hit films, his own son was preparing for exams under the streetlights.


No car, rented house, and no savings
Murad was known for memorable roles in films like 'Devdas' (1955), 'Sanyasi', 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat' and 'Tarzan Goes to India' (1962). He was truly one of the most popular character actors of his time.

Yet, Raza revealed a surprising truth. “We never had a car. We used to live in a rented house,” he said. Many actors from the 1950s and 60s didn’t think much about saving for the future. Raza added, “Those actors should have planned for the future.” It shows how being famous doesn’t always mean being rich, especially if you don’t plan ahead.


‘He lived like he wanted to’
Even though their family faced money problems, Raza made it clear he never wanted to criticise his father’s choices. “He lived like he wanted to,” he said.

Seeing these struggles, however, shaped Raza’s own thinking. He decided early on that he wanted a more secure life. That’s why the first thing he did after making it in films was to buy a house.
Related to Zeenat Aman
Not many people know this, but Murad was also related to Bollywood icon Zeenat Aman — she is his niece. The family gave Indian cinema two generations of unforgettable talent.
A lesson behind the fame
Murad’s story is a touching reminder that life on screen is often very different from life off it. Though he acted in more than 500 films, he never owned a house or car. His son Raza’s words give us a clear picture of the ups and downs behind the sparkling world of cinema.