Versatility personified

Farooque Sheikh 1948-2013

He played a common man as convincingly as he played a nawab. Such was Farooque Sheikh's versatility on the big screen, small screen and on the stage in his over four decades of association with showbiz.

The veteran actor died following a cardiac arrest while he was in Dubai late Friday night.

He made his debut with 1973 film ‘Garam Hawa’ and was known for his roles in films like ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Chashme Buddoor’, ‘Saath Saath’. On TV, he starred in shows like ‘Chamatkar’ and ‘Ji Mantriji’, while his play ‘Tumhari Amrita’ was a crowdpuller. Here's a look at some of his memorable films.

• 1973 Garam Hawa
• 1974 Mere Saath Chal
• 1977 Shatranj Ke Khilari
• 1979 Noorie
• 1980 Main Aur Meri Tanhai
• 1981 Chashme Buddoor
• 1982 Bazaar
• 1983 Kissi Se Na Kehna
• 1983 Katha
• 1985 Faasle
• 1988 Biwi Ho To Aisi
• 1989 Toofan
• 1995 Ab Insaf Hoga
• 2010 Lahore
• 2012 Shanghai
• 2013 Listen... Amaya
• 2013 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
• 2013 Club 60

Was to shoot with Farooque today: Boman Irani

Actor Boman Irani was due to shoot with Farooque Sheikh for an upcoming film in Indore Saturday. But the news of the latter's sudden death left Boman "shocked, numbed and saddened".

He was working with Boman for the film ‘Youngistan’. "Shot with him last month. Had the warmest conversation and were to meet here in Indore today. Was to join us from Dubai. Alvida Farooque saab (Goodbye Farooque Sheikh)," Boman tweeted Saturday.

"Shocked, numbed and saddened. Was supposed to be shooting with him today. A gentleman actor is no more," he added.

"I am in shock to hear about Farooque sir's death...I am still in denial. Please tell me this is not true," Jackky posted on Twitter.

"Thank you for being like a father to me and teaching me so much through this film. Your teachings will always stay with me," he added.

Directed by debutant Syed Afzal Ahmad, ‘Youngistan’ also features Neha Sharma and Kayoze Irani.

Shabana distraught over news of Farooque's death

Actress Shabana Azmi, Farooque Sheikh's co-star for 21 years in the popular play ‘Tumari Amrita’ who had also worked with the actor in several films, is devastated with the news of his sudden death.

One of Indian cinema's finest actors, Farooque was on a holiday with his wife and two daughters in Dubai when he suddenly died of a massive heart attack.

Devastated by the suddenness of the tragedy, Shabana said: "I can't believe he's gone so suddenly and so cruelly! Farooque was in Dubai with his wife and daughters when he suddenly suffered a massive heart attack. He just collapsed! Just like that. Is that any way to go?"

Shabana did some of her best films with Farooque. These include Sagar Sarhadi's ‘Lorie’, Kalpana Lajmi's ‘Ek Pal’ and Muzaffar Ali's ‘Anjuman’. Not to mention the play ‘Tumhari Amrita’, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan.

"We were close friends from before we worked together. We were in college together. I can't believe he's gone," she said.