Overview
Farooq Sheikh (25 March 1948 – 28 December 2013) was an Indian actor, philanthropist and television presenter. He is best known for his work in Hindi films between 1973 and 1993, and for his work on television between 1988 and 2002. After a gap, he returned to films in 2008 and continued acting until his death in December 2013.
Sheikh's major contribution was to Parallel Cinema, also referred to as the New Indian Cinema. Over the course of his career he collaborated with several noted directors, including Satyajit Ray, Sai Paranjpye, Muzaffar Ali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Ayan Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta. His understated style made him a familiar presence in this stream of socially engaged, realist filmmaking.
Apart from cinema, Sheikh worked extensively on television, appearing in serials and shows, and presented the first season of the talk-based programme Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai. On stage, he performed in productions such as Tumhari Amrita (1992) alongside Shabana Azmi, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, a play that became one of the most enduring works of contemporary Indian theatre.
Sheikh received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2010 for his performance in Lahore. He was also known for his philanthropic engagement alongside his work as an actor and presenter.