Humble gentleman, soft spoken, sophisticated and nuanced - the Bollywood fraternity, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shekhar Kapur, Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt, looked back at the late Farooque Sheikh's life and career with immense appreciation following the "Umrao Jaan" star's sudden demise.
Several actors and filmmakers took to microblogging site Twitter to express shock upon hearing the news of the veteran actor's death, which came after a heart attack in Dubai Friday night. He was 65.
Having starred in eclectic roles throughout his four-decade career, Farooque has left behind a wonderful body of work, ending with the recently released "Club 60".
Here's what the members of the Hindi film industry have to say:
Amitabh Bachchan: Farooque Sheikh passes away. A true gentleman, a wonderful colleague. A quiet honesty about him. Very very sad. Cannot believe he has gone. There was an absence of any kind of pretence in his demeanour, or towards his work.
Karan Johar: RIP Farooque Sheikh. Your subtle, nuanced and genius body of work will live on forever.
Mahesh Bhatt: Alvida Farooque bhai. The warmth of your smile lingers in our memory!
Kunal Kapoor: Such terrible news about Farooqueji. Not only an incredible actor, but also one of the warmest, most amazing people I've ever met.
Rahul Khanna: Sad news about Farooque Sheikh. Such a talent is rare and such a thorough gentleman, even rarer. What a great! Premature loss.
Celina Jaitly: With a very heavy shocked heart I bid adieu from Egypt to legendary actor and my co-star of 'Accident On Hill Road' dearest Farooque saab. He was such a soft spoken gentleman, humility was his second name. It was such an honour to work with him.
Shekhar Kapur: RIP Farooque Sheikh. "Garam Hawa", "Chashme Buddoor", "Umrao Jaan"... List of brilliance is endless. Life passionately dedicated to his art. The last time we met, we talked politics. I wish we had talked film and acting. It's what we love most. I would have learned.
Neil Nitin Mukesh: RIP Faarooque Sheikhji. What an amazing actor! Lovely human being.
Riteish Deshmukh: Shocked beyond words - RIP Farooque Sheikh, you will be missed sir.
Vinay Pathak: An actor and a gentleman is no more. There was so much to learn from the maverick, and he departs early. Truly the saddest demise!
Siddharth: The always wonderful Farooque Sheikh has passed away. Integral part of many a parallel cinema classic. Great man. Gone too soon sir.
Manoj Bajpayee: Never felt so sad recently as I am feeling today after I heard the news of the sudden demise of Farooque Sheikh saab! Man with no pretence.
Rahul Bose: In shock to hear of Farooque Sheikh's passing. He was a perfect combination of a thorough gentleman who never minced his words.
Satish Kaushik: Sad to hear about the sudden demise of Farroukh Sheikh. Brilliant actor, very cultured, sophisticated man. Will miss you Farooque saab.
Mohit Chauhan: The world's a lesser place today. You will be missed sir.
Madhur Bhandarkar: Deeply saddened to hear about Farooque Sheikh. Will miss his warmth, acting skills and gentlemanly demeanour.
Mini Mathur: Hope Farooque Sheikh is listening to the wonderful odes and goodbyes. We should appreciate people we admire while they are still around.
Divya Dutta: Woke up to hearing this terrible news about Farooque saab. The gentlest soul and magic on screen. My last meeting with him at Shabana Azmiji's house, I told him that 'The warmth and genuiness you exude is unparallelled'. His smile was straight from the heart. Miss you sir!
Sophie Choudry: Such sad news to wake up to. Fabulous actor, understated gentleman. Have loved him in so many films - from 'Noorie' to 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'.
Arshad Warsi: Really sad to hear about Farooque Sheikh, admired him as a person and as an actor.
Nimrat Kaur: The extraordinary brilliance of the ordinary, blended in and stood out when he pleased. A true artist, what a gift of life was Farooque Sheikh.
