Meet actor who was once a dreaded villain, debuted with Ajay Devgn, got addicted to drugs, quit acting to become a Maulana, now difficult to recognise, he is…
GH News October 14, 2025 04:06 PM

Its not easy to leave the glitz and glamour of Bollywood and choose a simple spiritual life. After entering the world of name fame and glamour its hard to imagine walking away from it. However today well tell you the story of an actor who after reaching the heights of fame and fortune renounced everything and embraced the path of religion. This is the story of actor Arif Khan who today lives a new life as a Maulana and motivational speaker. Arif who once won hearts with his fierce roles in films has now completely transformed and his lifes purpose is no longer the same.
Debut with Ajay Devgn
While Ajay Devgn made a spectacular entry into Bollywood with the superhit film Phool Aur Kaante released in 1991 the character of the villain Rocky also captured attention. This role was played by Arif Khan who also entered the industry with this film. Sharing the screen with Ajay Devgn Arif impressed audiences with his acting. After Phool Aur Kaante Arif Khan played powerful negative roles in films like Mohra Diljale and Veergati. He also appeared in several TV serials and became a well-known face in the 90s. However as quickly as he gained recognition he quietly left the industry.
Then I Chose the Path of Religion
In 2024 Arif Khan shocked everyone by sharing a video on social media. He revealed that despite having all the glamour money and fame he still couldnt find peace of mind. He said “I was only 23 years old when I did Phool Aur Kaante. After that I worked in many films and TV shows. I got everything but no peace. Then Allah guided me and my whole life changed.”
Now Arif Khan has left Mumbai and settled in Bengaluru. He has completely distanced himself from the film world and has become a Maulana. Along with Islamic teachings he works to inspire people through his experiences.
Motivational Speaker and Entrepreneur
Today Arif Khan is the founder of a motivational project called Pani Kum Chai. He also runs a travel company named AK Tours & Travels which specializes in Hajj and Umrah trips. His social media accounts are filled with religious and inspirational messages offering glimpses into his new life.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arif Khan (@arifkhanofficial_)
You might be surprised to know that Arif also worked in the 2007 Hollywood film A Mighty Heart in which he played a taxi driver alongside Angelina Jolie.
Drug Addiction and Self-Reflection
In an interview Arif also shared details about his dark times. He said that he was constantly overlooked in the industry and that big banners were not giving him opportunities. This restlessness pushed him towards addictions that made him unhappy. He said “I was looking for peace and started resorting to drugs. But even they did not provide relief.”
Ultimately he left the industry and its glamour and turned to religion in search of solace. Released in 1991 Phool Aur Kaante was one of the biggest hits of that year. Made on a budget of just ₹2.5 crore the film proved to be a blockbuster grossing Rs 11.50 crore. This film not only made Ajay Devgn a star but also brought recognition to actors like Arif Khan.