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House of Khan: Mansehra man finds fame as Game of Thrones doppelganger

House of Khan: Mansehra man finds fame as Game of Thrones doppelganger

The 25-year-old so resembles actor Peter Dinklage that he gets regularly stopped by strangers desperate for a picture.
Updated 22 Mar, 2019

Pakistani waiter Rozi Khan had never heard of the Game of Thrones — or its hugely popular character Tyrion Lannister — until his striking resemblance to the dwarf anti-hero got heads turning at home.

The 25-year-old so resembles actor Peter Dinklage — who has played the witty and wily nobleman since the hit series' first season in 2010 — that he gets regularly stopped by strangers desperate for a picture.

In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan, 25, waves to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP
In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan, 25, waves to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP

“I don't mind. A lot of my pictures have been taken, that's why I have become very famous everywhere,” he said.

Not only are Khan and Dinklage's faces strikingly similar, they are also the same height at around 135 cms (4 ft 5in).

Photographs of the pair have unsurprisingly made their way onto social media showing the doppelgangers side-by-side.

“Wherever I go, someone says to me: 'Sir, who is this man with you on Facebook', I say that he is my friend. 'He looks like you'. I tell them he is my brother. It's not a bad thing,” said Khan.

The television series has won 47 Emmys — more than any other fictional show in history — along with a Golden Globe for Dinklage, 49, for best supporting actor in 2012.

A much anticipated final series is set to premiere on April 17.

In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan, 25, prepares to serve food to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP
In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan, 25, prepares to serve food to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP

Khan works at a small Kashmiri restaurant down a narrow line in Rawalpindi, serving customers hearty dishes such as mutton and spinach curries.

Owner Malik Aslam Pervez described him as a hard-worker — and also a drawcard for the eatery.

“When he takes a day off or gets sick, people look for him and ask where did he go? They get upset. They love him. There is always a crowd here but it has boomed because of him,” he said.

Born in Mansehra in northern Pakistan, Khan says he would love to meet Dinklage, describing him as a friend and brother.

“I love him very much, he is my friend... he is my height so I like him a lot,” said Khan.

In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan serves food to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP
In this picture taken on Feb 22, 2019, Rozi Khan serves food to customers at Dilbar Hotel in Rawalpindi. — AFP

For customers, seeing Tyrion Lannister in the flesh is also a thrill.

“When I saw him, I'm happy, I feel that I met with Lannister in real [life],” said Zain Hadri, 20.

“Game of Thrones” tells the story of noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne, all the while keeping one eye on the “White Walkers” leading hordes of the undead toward an invasion from the North.

Comments

Sabir Pakistani Mar 23, 2019 12:43am
Nice to hear this. I live in Rawalpindi and need to goto this restaurant
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s Mar 23, 2019 02:56am
Despite of physical similarities, there are striking differences-one lives in poverty & the other enjoys high profile life.
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Observer#1 Mar 23, 2019 03:25am
DNA test could reveal if their family chain cross somewhere in history.
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Murtaza Mandviwala Mar 23, 2019 07:36am
Hopefully they call him and it makes his life
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ABCD Mar 23, 2019 07:50am
Previously a handsome chaiwala and now a waiter. Pakistan is in deed full of talents untapped.
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Nshaik Mar 23, 2019 06:06pm
They both share a medical condition called Achondroplasia and that is why there facial features are similar. Infact, any person with this disease be it a child wven will look similar to Peter Dinklage. Sorry to burst the bubble.
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Faysal Mar 26, 2019 03:29am
i have met this guy long time back - he used to live in Mansehra but he is basically from Kabul Afghanistan.
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