MUMBAI:   The year has been a sad one for the Bollywood fraternity and the fans as well who had to bear with the loss of some of talents of the industry. And with one more legend leaving us, the end will end with a sad note.

The 65-year-old actor contributed to the new-age cinema, theatre and television. He started his career with theatre where he actively participated in plays with Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). His play with Shabana Azmi Tumhari Amrita was appreciated by audiences the world over for 12 years till 2004. The play completed its 20 year run on 26 February 2012. A sequel to this play was staged in India in 2004 titled Aapki Soniya with Farooq Sheikh and Sonali Bendre as main leads.

His Bollywood career started with Garam Hawa (1973) where he played a supporting role. Farooq Sheikh best known for his roles in Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Chashme Buddoor, Kissi Se Na Kehna and Noorie, passed away in Dubai after suffering a heart attack. He was last seen in Club 60.

In the late 90s, he acted in a number of television serials. Chamatkar on Sony and Ji Mantriji on Star plus are among the few. He also worked in a TV serial Shrikant which aired on Doordarshan from 1985 to 1986.

Before Koffee with Karan became a household name, it was Jeena issi ka naam hai which was one of the most talked about chat show. The show, hosted by Sheikh, aired on Zee where he interviewed many Bollywood celebrities. His sense of humour and direct humble approach was the USP of the show.