Dibakar Bannerjee: `We worked together in Shanghai. I wish we could've worked together again. He was a deeply committed actor and human being. He belonged to a rare vanishing breed of artistes who put his ego behind the larger good. Farooque Saab and I shared a common love for fine food. We were supposed to get together for a big meal. I'll regret not doing so all my life. Conversing with him was like a peep into history, sociology and the very soul of mankind. He was a kindered spirit.`


Deepa Sahi: `I am in shock.We worked togther in one of our most challenging films Maya Memsaab. He was a very very instinctive actor, and great fun to be with.What a sense of humour Farooque had! Providentially, his jokes never hurt anyone. In fact they made even the targets of his humour laugh at themselves. He made the people around him at work and in his personal space very comfortable. Within five minutes of meeting him for the first time I felt I knew him forever. That ability to make you comfortable so quickly was rare. May his soul rest in peace.`

Swara Bhaskara: `I worked with him in Listen...Amaya .The demise of the gracious, charming, iconic and much-loved actor is the saddest news this year. He was a gentleman and a gem of a person. Farooque Sheikh was an actor par excellence and a lesson to watch.He embodied all the stellar qualities of a generation of stars gone by. I discovered happily that this self-effacing and dignified legend of his time was also a gifted storyteller.And so shooting with was a treat comprising anecdotes, food, wit, warmth and scintillating conversation.


I recall the respect and dignity with which he treated every fan and well-wisher. Just watching Farooque Sir play out a scene was a 'class' act. It was like being educated in effortless acting . Farooque Sir could turn the dullest moment bright with a witty line. I now recall every single moment that I was privileged to spend with this legend. Too soon, Farooque Sir. You owed me a dinner. We will miss you and feel your loss always.`

Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan: `I had the privilege of working with Farooque Saab in my first film Lahore.It is a grave loss for cinema and humanity. He was not just a fine actor but a gem of a human being. He was a pureheart who gave unconditionally. In his moral uprighness and sincerity he seemed invincible. He was not like other camera-greedy actors. He shared screen space as generously as the biryani that he liked to tuck into. It was always humbling to be in the presence of a man so talented yet so grounded to reality.I can't think of a single actor who can hold a candle to him. May his soul rest in peace.`

Abhimanyu Singh: `I was fortunate to have worked with Farooque Saab in Accident On Hill Road. The best thing that happened in this film was my interaction with Farooque Saab. He was a genuinely warm human being, always helpful to his co-stars and there was no fussiness in his attitude. He was straightforward and upfront... a rarity, soft spoken and refined.`

Jackky Bhagnani: `Farooque Saab shot with us in Indore for Youngistan.We are still in Indore.We can't believe he is gone.He taught me a lot. He was like a father-figure. I am still in shock.We shot together for days.Now he is no more.In the film he plays my father-figure after my character loses his father. Ironically we've lost him in real life.`


Kalpana Lajmi: `My God! I can't believe he's gone. After the death of Bhupenda I rapidly seem to be losing all my friends.Farooque was one my closest friends, an absolute sweetheart and an angel of a man. He wanted me to see his new film Club 60 .And now he's gone. It's hard to believe a man so good can go so early.He starred in my first film Ek Pal. Shabana, Naseer ,Farooque, Bhupenda , Gulzar Saab...we were all part of one team. Contrary to his goodygoody image he played quite a rogue in Ek Pal who dumps his girl after impregnating her.

Farooque was hugely supportive during my first film. He didn't charge money and told me he would take money only after release.I've seldom come across anyone as well-read and erudite as Farooque. He was a political liberal and an absolutely simple unostentatious man. He never owned a car and lived in a rented home all his life.He never drank or smoked and yet he died of a heart attack! I guess it could be genetic. I remember Farooque telling me his father had died suddenly of a heart attack at the Mumbai airport.`