RIP FAROOQUE SI-IEIKI-I

Multi-faceted actor Farooque Sheikh's life came to an abrupt end on Dec 27 in Dubai following a cardiac arrest. He was 65. The talent, who delivered impeccable performances in films as well as in TV shows and on stage, will be remembered by his colleagues and confidantes for his innocent charm, uninterrupted honesty to his craft and his unmatched humility, colleagues and friends in the industry said

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, with whom he was on a vacation in Dubai.

From his big screen debut with the widely acclaimed Garam Hawa in 1973 to films like Shatranj Ke Khilari, Bazaar, Umrao Jaan, Chash me Buddoor and Saath Saath; TV shows like Shrikant, Chamatkar, Ji Mantriji and Jeena lsi Ka Naam Hai; and a longrunning play like Tumhari Amrita - Farooque's body of work was creatively rich.

Born March 25, 1948 in Baroda, Sheikh started as a theatre actor and later went on to exhibit his natural flair for acting in both parallel and mainstream cinema If he convincingly played a nawab in UmraoJaan, he essayed the role of a common man in ChashmeBuddoorwith equal aplomb.

He featured in just over 50 films, but it was enough for him to make an impact He took the 2010 National Film Award for best supporting actor for the film Lahore.

Furthermore, his finesse at creating a balance between the two worlds continued till the end - he was seen in the box office b l ockbuster Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewanl and the critically acclaimed Club 60 and Us ten Amaya.

His last assignment was Youngistaan, scheduled for release later this year

Although Farooque finished his work on the film a few weeks ago, the film wrapped up production on Dec 28 a day after his death

ProducerVashu Bhagnani offered an unusual tribute He orderedjalebis for the entire unit.

"In October, Farooque saab had personally got us jalebis from this particular shop in Indore and force fed all of us I am not a jalebi guy. But I enjoyed Farooque saab 's insistent warmth On the last day of shooting, we celebrated his positive spirit by ordering his favourite jalebis''.

Farooque's last scene for Youngistaan was to include a guest appearance by bigwig Ajay Devgn The late actor shot the scene without his co-star, who could not be available, because he wanted to finish off his commitment without inconveniencing anyone

Cool, laid- back King Khan

He is known for his endless energy, undying l ove for h is craft and being a workaho li c. But superstar Shah Rukh Khan says now he doesn't work as much and feels inspired with others' good work.

Shah Rukh, who had only one release in 2013, superhit Chennai Express, featured in just one movie in 2012 too - late filmmaker Yash Chopra's last d irectorial venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan. And now in 2014, he is shooting for Farah Kha.n's Happy New Year, which also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood and Deepika Padukone

I have become laid-back and I have started working less. I fee l happy if the quality of work that others do is good. I l ook at their performances and get i nspired;' Shah Rukh revealed recently at the 14th Zee Cine Awards, which he wi ll host He is also planning a special l ive performance for the event, which will be exclusive and not seen before

After being a part ofthe fi l m industry for over two decades, SRK said he i s over the initial excitement of being nominated for awards "I have been a part of so many award functions that I have lost the system of waiting to see if I have been nominated. An award is a reflection of a whole year's work. If I win, I feel thrillec;t if I don't, then I think I wi ll work hard next year," he sai d The actor stated that he dedicates all his awards to his children - Aryan, Suhana and AbRam "I dedicated my first award to my mom Now I dedicate them to my children;· he said. "Either I keep it on my daughter's or my son's bedsid e table. I keep alternating They get very happy," he added

However, the Bollywood Bad shah says the awards teach the rig ht lessons to his chi ldren. "The next day (after winning the award), I take out some time to tell them that I have got the award due to my efforts, so that they concentrate on that rather than the stardom and glamour, which surround it," he said.

King Khan also recently performed with southern stars Mohanl al and Mammootty at an awards ceremony in Dubai recently, and said that he was touched by the Iove they bestowed on him The actor took to Twitter to share the emotion s he experienced on performing w ith the two stars "To be given so much love by Mammootty and Mohanla l sir, felt like crying receiving so much kindness from artists who inspire me to be an actor;'Shah Rukh posted. "Heading back to Mumbai, all issues of li fe seem sma ll. I felt so proud to be an actor tonight. Thank you all and Allah for giving me so much l ove;' he added.

So wi ll it be just Happy New Year for SRK in 2014? Or will he break the spell and bring out a coupl e of blockbusters? Let's wait and see

40 and still a hotty!

Hunky actor Hrithik Roshan turned 40 on January 10, with family, friends and colleagues taking to the net to w i sh the star strength and happiness. Hrithik certain ly seems to have gone through a rough patch i n 2013, with varied medical problems and a split from wife and childhood sweetheart Suzanne Khan.

The one bright spark i n the year past was naileing his popularity as Indi a's celluloid superhero once again with the success of Krrish 3 On his birthday, friends and fami ly, including his former sister- in- law and jewellery designer Farah Khan, and celebrities like Vivek Oberoi and Prateik Babbar took to Twitter to wish him.

But ifthere's one person with unfailing faith in the star's success, its dad Rakesh Roshan, who says that he would never work with any other actor, unl ess he is making a women-centr ic drama like Khoon Bhari Maang Rakesh had launched Hrithi k with the b l ockbuster Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Later they worked together in the"Krr ish" series.

Sharing an emotiona l moment, the director and filmmaker said, "He can work with outsid e directors. But I'd never work with any other actor, unless I am making an out-and-out heroine-oriented film like Khoon Bhari Maang. I might be tempted to make a fi l m with a fema l e protagonist, but only if Hrithik is too busy to work with me:·

Rakesh predicts th at H rithi k too will direct a fi l m some day. "Now I fee l Hrithik, who is such a successful actor, far more than I ever could be, has a fi lmmaker lurking within him. He will one hundred percent direct a film some day. Mark my words, he'll be a very fine director. I am sure of that. He may not be a good producer, but he'll be a ter r ific director," he said.

Rakesh admits that he has enjoyed Hrithik's films outside the famil y banner. "I liked his performance immensely in Jodhaa-Akbar, Agneepath, Guzaarish and specially Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in which he had to play a normal regular guy That's really difficult to do He never let us feel a superstar was playing that role,"he said.

But first and foremost, Rakesh daims that he wants his son to be happy. "My wife and I want Hrithik to be happy and at peace with himself, no matter what," said Rakesh who looks forward to launching Hrithik's sons - Hrehaan and Hridhaan - as heroes "Provided they want to be in films. I'd love to launch them My b lessings are with Hrithik. Whatever he does in life, my wife and I want him to never change

He's kind, helpful generous. He deserves happiness;' he said Seems like Rakesh has Hrithik's life panned out for him - no pressure, dad!

Madhuri makes a magical comeback

The verdict on Abhishek Chaubey's bold film Dedh lshqiya is out. Critics have extoll ed it as a "genuinely smart film'; "deliciously dark film'; "rich cinematic experience" and "a gripping fare''.

Audiences have loved it too And the accolades make it a perfect comeback for Madhuri Dixit.

Seen on the big screen in a lead role after a gap of seven years, the 46-yearold diva made an impressive attempt as a fading 'begum' named Begum Para in the movie

In the sequel to lshqiya in 2010, the

WI-IO WORE IT BETTER?

Hrithik Ro Shan

recently released Dedh lshqiya has bought Madhuri accolades, but more for her chemistry with actress Huma Qureshi, than her jodi with Naseeruddin Shah One of the critics even said there was more chemistry between Madhuri and Huma as compared to Madhuri and Naseer.

Naseer and Arshad, who reprised their roles of Khalujaan and Babban respectivel y from lshqiya, also won many hearts Of course, Huma has proved that her work in Gangs of Wasseypur was not a flash in the pan And its not just crit i cs who are raving about the film, even industry colleagues and fans have been surprisingly generous with their praise.

Well, its clear that this is just the beginning of another stint in Bollywood for Madhuri! Quite the comeback!

Suchitra Sen still not out of danger

At the time of going to press, veteran Bengali actress Suchitra Sen was in a stabl e condition, but not out of danger as she was hospitalised in Kolkata. The veteran actress initially suffered chest infection, and was undergoing treatment for it at the nursing home since Dec 23, but her condition worsened, prompting doctors to put her on a ventilator.

Family members of the 82-year-old actress have been by her bedside throughout the day and she has been communicating through signs and gestures

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Suchitra Sen, dubbed as Greta Garbo of Bengali cinema, has rema ined an enigma as she has avoided spotlights since her retirement. She gave powerpacked performances in h i ghly acclaimed fi lms such as DeepJweleJaai and Uttar Falguni in Bengal i, as well as Hindi movies like Devdas, Bombai Ka Babu Mamta and Aandhi She won the best actress award for Saat Paake Bandha at the Moscow Film Festival in 1963 Get wel l soon, Suchitra Sen.