Farooq Shaikh (1948-2013) was an Indian actor, humanitarian, and television presenter. He is known for his work in Hindi films such as Garam Hawa (1973), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977), Noorie (1979), Chashme Buddoor (1981), and other important contributions to the Hindi television industry such as hosting Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai. He breathed his last on December 28, 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Wiki/Biography
Farooq Shaikh was born on Thursday, 25 March 1948 (age 65 years; at death) in Amroli, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. His zodiac sign is Aries. He completed his schooling at St. Mary in Bombay (now Mumbai) and graduated from St. Xavier. Farooq went on to study law, following his father in the profession, from Siddharth College of Law. While in college, he participated in a play and developed an interest in acting, which led him to abandon his law studies and choose theatre.
Farooq Shaikh
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Farooq belongs to a land owning family located in Nagpada, Bombay.
Parents & Siblings
Farooq Shaikh was born to Farida and Mustafa Shaikh. His lawyer father worked in Bombay and belonged to a family from Hansot in Gujarat’s Bharuch district. He has five siblings, and he is the eldest.
Wife & Children
He met Roopa at St. Xavier. The couple was actively involved in the theater and later married. They have two daughters, Shaista, and Sanaa. Their daughter Sanaa is involved with an NGO, United Way of Mumbai.
Farooq Shaikh with his wife Roopa
Relationships/Affairs
At the College of St. Xavier, Farooq is engaged to Roopa, whom he marries after nine years of dating.
Farooq Shaikh at the event with Honey Irani and his wife Roopa
Religion/Religious Views
He practices Islam and believes himself to be a liberal Muslim.
Career
Movie
Farooq made his acting debut in his final year of law school with MS Sathyu’s 1973 film Garam Hawa.
Farooq Shaikh in his debut film Garam Hawa
Her active years in theater made her popular with directors like Sagar Sarhadi, who later directed her in films like Noorie (1979), Bazaar (1982), and Faasle (1985). Farooq has also worked in popular films such as Muzaffar Ali Umrao Jaan (1981) and Gaman (1978), Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) and Sai Paranjape Chasme Buddor (1981) and Katha (1982).
Farooq Shaikh in Chashme- Buddoor
Farooq Shaikh on Umrao Jaan
He worked in films like Saas, Bahu aur Sensex (2008), Lahore (2010), Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013), Club 60 (2013), and Youngistaan (2014). His film Youngistaan was released after his death.
Farooq Shaikh with Deepti Naval
Theatre, Radio & Television
Early on, Farooq was active in theatre, performing with IPTA and famous directors. He starred in the drama Tumhari Amrita (1992) with Shabana Azmi, which played for 21 years in countries around the world.
Farooq Shaikh performing Tumhari Amrita alongside Shabana Azmi
He gained immense recognition for serving as an actor in Bombay Doordarshan shows like Yuvadarshan and Young World. He worked as a presenter in the Hindi television industry and hosted the popular show Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai (2002). He also did radio programs with famous radio personalities like Ameen Sayani.
Farooq Shaikh hosts Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai
Social Activism
Apart from acting, Farooq is actively involved in social activism and believes in helping the underprivileged in society. After the 2002 Gujrat riots, he contributed to the rehabilitation of riot victims from his hometown. He also sponsored the education of the two sons of a maintenance worker from the Taj Hotel, who was shot dead during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 after reading about the case in The Indian Express.
Award
- He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Lahore in 2010.
- He was honored by the Bimal Roy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for his contribution and dedication to cinema, theater and television.
Death
Farooq Shaikh died of a heart attack in the early hours of December 28, 2013, in Dubai where he was on holiday with his family.
Facts/Trivia
- His name is also spelled as Farooque Shaikh or Farooq Sheikh.
- He was called ‘Dada’ by the people of his home town because of his philanthropic work and helping nature.
- Farooq received Rs 750 for his first film Garam Hawa by director Ramesh Sathyu, spread over five years.
- He has a passion for horse riding. Farooq once attended a horse race organized in Naswadi.
- He really likes honey.
- Farooq was fond of cricket and played throughout his school and college days. In an interview he said,
Vinoo Mankad conducts coaching classes for the two best students of our school- I always get picked every time. Cricket was my favorite throughout school and college at St. Xavier’s. In college, I was friendly with Sunil Gavaskar. He is an incredible player.”
- On March 25, 2018, Google celebrated Farooq Shaikh with a doodle on his 70th birth anniversary. Google commented:
Farouque Shaikh writes poignant essays and light comedy with equal ease. Behind the silver screen, Shaikh was a staple of Indian theatre, and his epistolary drama, ‘Tumhari Amrita’ with Shabana Azmi delighted audiences for over two decades.
Today is the 75th birthday of legendary Indian actor Farooq Shaikh.
To mark his 70th birthday, Google has released a Doodle by this artist @NimitMalavia. It’s done in the style of a 70s Bollywood poster, and shows Shaikh’s transition from film to TV.#FarooqShaikh # thread (1/4) pic.twitter.com/1CgXMquF47
— ThisDay (@ThisDayStories) March 25, 2023
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
