Remembering Farooq Sheik, one of the finest Indian actors to have graced theater and the silver screen, on his 5th death anniversary.

Born on March 25, 1948, Farooq Sheikh, a lawyer by training, made a tremendous contribution to Indian theatre, cinema and television over four decades. He began his acting career in plays and made his debut in Indian cinema in 1973 with the classic Garam Hawa, set in post-partition India.

It was his performance in films such as Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Chashme Buddoor, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Noorie, Bazaar, Saath Saath and Umrao Jaan that catapulted him to fame.

The unassuming actor touched the hearts of millions of Indians with roles that reflected the common man’s travails. Known for his comic timing, Sheikh performed in a range of films from comedy to classics and romance.

Sheikh as a suave artist who had equal command over theatre and films. But he will be most remembered for his immense contribution to parallel cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.