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Bollywood mourns Farooq’s sudden death

Bollywood celebrities on Saturday expressed shock over the demise of veteran actor Farooq Sheikh in Dubai.

“God !! Farooq Sheikh passes away !!? A true gentleman, a wonderful colleague!” tweeted superstar Amitabh Bachchan. “A quiet honesty about him. Very very sad! Cannot believe he has gone. There was an absence of any kind of pretence in his demeanour, or towards his work !!”

Shah Rukh Khan noted that his biggest regret was that he never got to spend time with the actor. “Should have done it earlier. I feel so sorry,” he tweeted.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recalled that “the warmth of your smile lingers in our memory.”

Actor Boman Irani, who was supposed to be shooting with Farooq on Saturday, said he was “shocked, numbed and saddened” by his death. “A gentleman actor is no more!” said Boman.

Raveena Tandon also echoed her sentiments, noting that the “gentleman actor” will be missed.

Madhur Bhandarkar, another leading filmmaker, also remarked that he would miss the warmth and gentlemanly demenaour of Farooq.

Leading director Shekhar Kapur recalled the last time he met Farooq the two had discussed politics. “I wish we had talked films and acting, it’s what we love most,” said Shekhar. “I would have learned.”

Many younger actors also expressed sadness at the passing away of the veteran. “Really sad to hear about Farooq Sheikh, admired him as a person and as an actor,” tweeted Arshad Warsi. “RIP Farooq Sahab.”

Added Manoj Bajpayee: “Never felt so sad recently as I am feeling today after I heard the news of sudden demise of farooque sheikh saab!man with no pretence!RIPsir.”

Television host and actress Mini Mathur hoped Farooq was listening “to the wonderful odes & goodbyes. We should appreciate people we admire while they are still around.” Divya Dutta, a leading supporting actress, described Farooq as “the gentlest soul n magic on screen.” She recalled meeting him recently at the home of Shabana Azmi.

Singers Mohit Chauhan and Kailash Kher also expressed their sorrow over the death of the actor.

“The world’s a lesser place today. You will be missed sir,” said Mohit. Tweeted Kailash: “Shocked to hear about a great human, wonderful actor Farooq Sheikh s sudden Demise, RIP Farukh Saab.”

nithin@khaleejtimes.com