One of the great actors of the Hindi parallel cinema, Farooq Sheikh passed away on Friday, December 27 in Dubai. The actor was there for a concert when he apparently suffered a heart attack late at night. He was 65 years old.

Best known for his roles in films like Garam Hawa (1973), Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), Noorie (1979), Chashme Buddoor (1981), Farooq Sheikh began his acting career with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). Till recently, he performed on stage in Feroz Abbas Khan's production TUMHARI AMRITA along with actress Shabana Azmi.

Colleagues from the Hindi film and theatre fraternity recall Sheikh as a humble, unassuming person and 'a gentleman actor.' Farooq Sheikh was awarded the 2010 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Lahore.