Veteran Actor Farooq Sheikh Dies Due to Heart Attack; Amitabh Bachchan and Others Express Grief

Veteran Bollywood actor Farooq Sheikh, who was last seen in the film "Club 60", passed away on Saturday. Sheikh died of heart attack in Dubai. He was 65.

The "Chashme Baddoor" actor along with his family was in Dubai for the year-end holiday.  His body will be brought to Mumbai for the last rites after completing all the formalities, The Times of India reported.

In his film career spanning 40 years, Sheikh has worked with some well-known directors including Satyajit Ray, Muzaffar Ali and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

He started his film career in 1973 with film "Garam Hawa". He also worked in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi which was released in 1977, Noorie released in 1979, Chashme Baddoor, which became a cult classic film in 1981, Umrao Jaan with Rekha in 1981 and Kissi Se Na Kehna in 1983.

In 2013, Sheikh was seen in two films "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" in which he played the role of Ranbir Kapoor's father and "Club 60" which was released in December.

He also hosted famous television show "Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai" and interviewed several Bollywood celebrities. 

An active theater person, Sheikh has also won National Award in 2010 for Best Supporting Role in film "Lahore".

He is survived by wife Rupa Jain and two daughters Shaista and Sanaa. The sudden demise of the veteran actor has left Bollywood in grief with celebrities taking to twitter to express their sorrow.

"God !! Farooq Sheikh passes away !!? A true gentleman, a wonderful colleague ! A quiet honesty about him. Very very sad," Amitabh Bachchan tweeted.

"Completely Shocked to hear about Farooq Sheikh passing away. RIP. Can't believe this news. Really sad," Kunal Kohli tweeted.

"Really sad to hear about Farooq Sheikh, admired him as a person and as an actor... RIP Farooq Sahab," Arshad Warsi tweeted.

"Woken up to the tragic news of yet another icon passing away .. R I P Farooq Sheikh Sir," Neha Dhupia tweeted. 

"Shocked beyond words - Rip Farooq Sheikh - you will be missed sir," Riteish Deshmukh said.

"Farooq Sheikh passes away! Shocked, numbed and saddened. Was supposed to be shooting with him today. A gentleman actor is no more," Boman Irani tweeted.