Farooq Sheikh Biography

Farooq Shaikh (25 March 1948, - 28 December 2013) was an Indian actor, who did most of his films during the 1970s and 1980s. His major contribution was in Parallel Cinema or the New Indian Cinema. He has worked with directors like Satyajit Ray, Muzaffar Ali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta.

He has acted in many comedies on television and performed on stage in famous productions such as Tumhari Amrita (1992), alongside Shabana Azmi, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, and also presented the TV show, Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai.

Early life

Shaikh was born to Mustafa Shaikh,hansot a Mumbai Lawyer and Farida Shaikh in Amroli Dist. Baroda. His family was zamindari, and he grew up in a luxurious surroundings. He was eldest of the five children.

He went to St Mary’s School, Mumbai and then to St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He studied Law at Siddharth College of Law. He attended the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Career

In his early days, he was active in theatre, doing plays with IPTA and with well-known directors like Sagar Sarhadi. His first major film role was in the 1973 film Garam Hawa. He went onto act in several notable films such as Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi (Chess Players) (1977), Noorie (1979), Chashme Buddoor (1981) and Kissi Se Na Kehna (1983).

In the 1990s he acted in fewer films and made his last few film appearance in Lahore (2010) and Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (2008).

He has been the host of very popular TV show "Jeena issi ka naam hai" in which he interviewed many Bollywood celebrities.

Personal life

Shaikh is married to Rupa Jain, whom he courted for nine years before tying the knot. He has two daughters Shaista and Sanaa.

Death

Farooque Sheikh passed away of a heart attack in Dubai on the morning of 28th December 2013. He was on a holiday in Dubai with his family.