Farooq Sheikh: 'A Natural Actor' Farooq Sheikh Was an Actor, Philanthropist and a Popular Television Presenter
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SWAPNIL SANSAR, ENGLISH WEEKLY,LUCKNOW, 21,MARCH, 2019 (06) Farooq Sheikh: 'A natural actor' Farooq Sheikh was an actor, philanthropist and a popular television presenter. the late 90s, Farooq Sheikh acted in a number of television serials. Chamatkar He was best known for his work in Hindi films from 1977 to 1989 and for his on Sony and Ji Mantriji on Star plus are among the few. He also worked in a TV work in television between 1988 and 2002. He returned to acting in films in 2008 serial Shrikant which aired from 1985 to 1986. and He compered in the Binny Double or Quits Quiz contest which was telecast over Remembering on his contin - Vividh Bharathi. He also performed on stage in famous plays such as Tumhari ued to Amrita directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, featuring Shabana Azmi.The play was Birth Anniversary (25th Mar.) do so appreciated by audiences the world over for 12 years till 2004. A sequel to this until his play was staged in India in 2004 titled "Aapki Soniya" with Farooq Sheikh and death on 28 December 2013. His major contribution was in Parallel Cinema or Sonali Bendre as main leads. "Tumhari Amrita" completed its 20-year run on 26 February 2012.He direct - ed Azhar Ka Khwab, an adaptation of Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion in 2004.He had been the host of the popular TV show Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai in which he inter - viewed many Bollywood celebrities. His sense of humor and direct humble approach was the USP of the show.Farooq Sheikh died of a heart attack in Dubai on 28 December 2013. He was on a holiday in Dubai with his family. His funeral prayers were held in Mumbai at Millat Nagar Mosque on 30 December 2013 in the evening. He is buried in Muslim Qabristan, Andheri West. His grave is next to his mother's grave.Lahore National the New Indian Cinema. He had worked with directors like Satyajit Ray, Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Won.Youngistaa, Children of War (2014) Muzaffar Ali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta.He had acted in serials Museed Club 60,Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) Shanghai (2012) Listen... and shows on television and performed on stage in famous productions such as Amaya, Tell Me O Khuda (2011) Accident on Hill Road (2009) Lahore,Saas Tumhari Amrita (1992), alongside Shabana Azmi, directed by Feroz Abbas Bahu Aur Sensex (2008) Lépidoptère, Le (1998) Le ollègue du jongleur Khan, and presented the TV show, Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (Season 1). He won Mohabbat (1997) Ab Insaf Hoga Mera Damad (1995) Maya Memsaab (1992) the 2010 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Lahore.He died on Jaan-E-Wafa (1990) Toofan Doosra Kanoon (1989) Biwi Ho To Aisi Gharwali 27 December 2013 following a cardiac arrest.Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi Baharwali (1988) Peechha Karo Rajlakshmi,Mahananda (1987) Khel Mohabbat were there at funeral of Farooq Sheikh on 30 December 2013.Shaikh was born Ka (1986) Anjuman Ek Pal (1986) Faasle Salma Lorie Ab Ayega Mazaa Yahan in Amroli, (25March)Baroda District, Gujarat in 1948 to Muslim father Mustafa Wahan Lakhon Ki Baat Rang Birangi Ek Baar Chale Aao Katha Kissi Se Na Shaikh and Parsi Mother Farida.His father Mustafa Shaikh was a lawyer from Kehna (1983) Aparoopa/ Apeksha Bazaar Saath Saath (1982) Chashme Mumbai; whilst his original ancestral heritage was Hansot village (Bharuch dis - Buddoor Umrao Jaan (1981) Noorie (1979) Gaman (1978) Shatranj Ke Khilari trict, Gujarat). His family were Zamindars, and he grew up in luxurious surround - (1977) Mere Saath Chal (1974) Garam Hawa (1973) Agency. ings. He was the eldest of five children.He went to St. Mary's School, Mumbai, and then to St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He studied law at Siddharth College Contd.From Page no.01 of Law, Mumbai.His father had a successful law practice, which prompted Shaikh to take up law initially. Shaikh came to acting after failing to relate to his Festival of Colours Holi profession in law. He met Roopa during his college days when they were active in theatre and later the couple got married. He was contemprory of Sunil The Bhils in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have their own special way to Gavaskar during his college days at St. Xaviers. Shaikh's wife Roopa was his mark the festival. It is interesting to note that these tribes have retained many of junior at St Xavier's College in Mumbai, and actor Shabana Azmi her classmate. their pre-Hindu customs. They light a bonfire on the eve and worship the god - He has three daughters, Sanaa, Shaaista and Rubina Sheikh. His younger dess. Villagers bring kesudo and mango spring flowers and grains signifying daughter Sanaa works with the NGO Aseema in Bandra.In his early days, he new life. When the fire is lit, loud cries of Holimata rend the air. Young people in was active in theatre, doing plays with IPTA and with well-known directors like the tribes have their own reason to look forward to the festival as they are Sagar Sarhadi. In 1973, while Farooq was in final year of law school, MS Satyu allowed to form liaisons leading into marriages on Holi. No wonder they depict approached him for Satyu's directorial debut Garam Hawa. His first major film high level of enthusiasm when it comes to Holi.Holi in Barsana role was in the 1973 film Garam Hawa where Farooq had a supporting role and Holi in Barsana Holi of Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, a village, 42 kms leading man was Balraj Sahni. The film is credited for being a pioneer of a new away from Mathura, is of particular interest. Here, men from Nandgaon, the land wave of Hindi Art cinema. His salary for his debut film was only Rupees 750. He of Krishna come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana and hope of raising their first gained popular recognition as a quiz master on radio, but it was his partic - flag over Shri Radhikaji's temple. But, instead of colours they are greeted with ipation, as an anchor on Bombay Doordarshan shows such as Yuvadarshan sticks by the gopis. Hence, the Holi get its new name here-Lathmaar Holi. Smart and Young World that made him a household name.Sheikh in Gaman (1978) enough, men come fully padded as they are fully aware what kind of welcome acted as the migrant Bombay taxi driver from Badaun in Uttar Pradesh dream - awaits them and also the fact that they are not allowed to retaliate on that day. ing about returning home to meet his wife, but never saves up enough to return In this mock battle of sorts, they try their best not to be captured. The unlucky home. He went on to act in several notable films such as Satyajit Ray's Shatranj one's however, are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the Ke Khiladi (Chess Players) (1977), Noorie (1979), Chashme Buddoor (1981), women. Further, they are made to wear a female attire and dance in public. All Umrao Jaan, Bazaar, Saath Saath, Rang Birangi, Kissi Se Na Kehna (1983) in the spirit of Holi. Renowned poets like Surdas, Nand-das, Kumbhan-das and and Biwi Ho To Aisi(1988). He formed a successful pair with Deepti Naval. He others have picturesquely described how Lord Krishna received similar treat - also did a slightly negative role in Katha. However his films between 1985 and ment and was forced to don a sari and wear make-up and perform dance before 1997 were not successful at the box office beginning with Yash Chopra's Faasle being released by the gopies. The next day, it is the turn of men of Barsana. in 1985.He was paired opposite Shabana Azmi in Sagar Sarhadi's 'Lorie', They reciprocate by invading Nandgaon and drench the womenfolk of Kalpana Lajmi's 'Ek Pal' and Muzaffar Ali's Anjuman (1986) and then in the play Nandgaon in colours of kesudo, naturally occurring orange-red dye and palash. Tumhari Amrita. His onscreen pair with Deepti Naval was very popular with audi - Today, the women of Nadagow beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colourful ences and they worked as pair in 7 films like Chashme Badoor, Katha, Saath site. However, in the interest of tourism and safety, the state tourist board has Saath, Kisise Na Kehna, Rang Birangi, Tell Me Oh Khuda and Listen... set up excellent vantage points for the public. A large open ground, on the out - Amaya.In 2002, in an interview to Times of India he quoted "I have never been skirts of the town is specially set aside for the most magnificent display of the commercially viable: People recognise me, smile and wave at me but I have festivities.The week long Holi celebrations also continue in the various Krishna never received marriage proposals written in blood. In his heyday, when Rajesh temples on different days. The celebrations are filled with clouds of colours and Khanna drove down a street, the traffic stopped I don't mind not receiving this of course, much fun. Holi in Bhil Tribes of North West India Holi in Bhil Tribes kind ofFadulation. But I do miss not having been able to command the kind of of North West IndiaThe Bhils in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have their own work I wanted. I miss not being 100 per cent commercially viable."In the 1990s special way to mark the festival. It is interesting to note that these tribes have he acted in fewer films and made his last few film appearance in Saas Bahu Aur retained many of their pre-Hindu customs.