Top 10 performances of Farooq Sheikh on his birthday

On the birth anniversary of legendary actor Farooq Sheikh, we take a look at the best performances of the actor across his 40-year-long career in showbiz. The actor died in December 2013.

Perhaps owing to his theatre background, has featured in many films that highlighted the pathos and problems of the contemporary society. One of his most popular plays was Tumhari Amrita. The play completed 20 years of being staged across the country in 2012, a year before Farooq died in December 2013.

Interestingly, the actor also has one of the most iconic comedy films to his credit - Chashme Buddoor.

On the birth anniversary of legendary actor , we take a look at the best performances of the actor across his 40-year-long career in showbiz.

Lahore (2010)

Farooq got the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's directorial venture, Lahore (2010). Farooq played the coach of Indian kickboxing team who does not hesitate to take on the system for the spirit of sportsmanship.

Chasme Buddoor (1986)

Sai Paranjpai's Chashme Buddoor is one of the classic comic movies of all times. The film had Farooq as a Delhi college student with Deepti Naval as the lead opposite him.

Farooq's association with director Hrishikesh Mukherji was limited to two films. Both Rang Birangi and Kisi Se Na Kehna released in 1983. Though Rang Birangi did not create much of a buzz on the box office, Kisi Se Na Kehna did well.

Saath Saath (1982)

Raman Kumar's Saath Saath again featured Deepti Naval opposite Farooq who played a poet in the movie. The story explored the divide between people from different financial backgrounds.

Umrao Jaan (1981)

Farooq played a nawab with elan in Muzzafar Ali's love saga Umrao Jaan. Rekha starred in the title role. The movie is another cult example of poetic cinema and impressive performances.

Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988)

JK Bihari's movie featuring Salman Khan, Rekha, Kadar Khan and Bindu, was a comic take on the Indian woman who wanted fought for her rights while staying within the realms of her culture. Rekha played the protagonist while Farooq played her husband.

Maya Memsaab (1993)

Ketan Mehta's Maya Memsaab also starred Shah Rukh Khan and Deepa Sahi. The film is based on Gustave Flaubert's novel Madame Bovary. Critics applauded Farooq's performance in the movie as the first husband of Deepa Sahi.

Bazaar (1982)

Sagar Sarhadi's Bazaar explored the dark realities of flesh trade in our society. The Smita Patil, Supriya Pathak, Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Sheikh-starrer showcased the emotions of a girl rescued from prostitution and her fight thereafter.

Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977)

Farooq also played a role in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi. The film is a slice of history from Awadh and its Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (played by Amjad Khan) who is overthrown by the British.

Garam Hava (1973)

Farooq' performance in MS Sathyu's Garam Hava was his first major role in Hind films. The movie also starred Balraj Sahni, AK Hangal and Shaukat Kaifi. The film explored the troubles faced by a north Indian Muslim family in post-partition India. It received critical acclaim from critics and several awards (Filmfare for screenplay, dialogue and story). The movie continues to be showcased in film festivals till date.

#RememberingFarooq

Remembering Farooq Sheikh on his birth anniversary, Shabana Azmi wrote on Twitter, "Farooque Shaikh would have turned 66 today. IPTA is holding a screening of Sagar Sarhadi's Bazaar in his memory. My thoughts with his family."

"Just watching Farooque sir play out a scene was an acting class. His effortlessness when acting is the most precious lesson an actor can ever learn, also the toughest to achieve. Remembering and cherishing every single moment that i was privileged to spend with this legend. Too soon Farooque sir, we will miss you and feel your loss always," actor Swara Bhaskar, who worked with Farooq in Listen Amaya, said.

A qualified lawyer, Farooq also worked for the small screen Ji Mantriji, Jeena Isi Ka Nama Hai.

Farooq Sheikh died on December 28, 2013 in Dubai after a heart attack. Farooq's body was brought to Mumbai later.

Recently, we saw Farooq in Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone-starrer Yeh Jawaaani Hai Deewani that also turned out to be one of the top grossers of 2013.

His last film to hit theatres was Club 60 (that released on December 6, 2013). The last film he worked for - Youngistaan - is slated to hit the theatres on March 28.