Bollywood: Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh dies at age 64

Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh passed away late on Friday night in Dubai after suffering a sudden heart attack. Born on 25 March 1948, he died at the age of 65. His body will be brought to Mumbai later in the day after completing the formalities. Sheikh who is best known for his contribution to parallel cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, had been a part of several notable films such as Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Chashme Buddoor, Kissi Se Na Kehna and Noorie.

(File Photo) In this photograph taken on July 30, 2013, Indian Bollywood film actor Farooq Shaikh attends a prayer meeting for the late veteran actor Jagdish Raj, father of actress Anita Raj in Mumbai.

He started his career in Bollywood in 1973 with 'Garm Hava', and two of his last performances in Bollywood were in 'Club 60' and in the commercially hit film 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' where he played the role of Ranbeer Kapoor's father. Apart from films, Sheikh made a tremendous contribution in theatre and TV as well. He was the the host of the famous talk show 'Jeena Isi ka naam hai' on television in which he interviewed many Bollywood celebrities.

The news brought a great sense of loss in the industry. "He was a very fine actor and a very dear friend. His death is a big loss," said an extremely saddened Shabana Azmi. Actor Om Puri too expressed grief over his death, "It is a very tragic and shocking news. He was a very pleasant and non controversial personality," he said. "He was an avid reader and we discussed about books whenever we met," said noted lyricist Javed Akhtar while remembering Sheikh.