Shabana Azmi Remembers Her Bazaar Co-Star Farooq Shaikh On His 10th Death Anniversary: 'Miss You Firkee'

Farooq Shaikh (was an acclaimed Indian actor, known for his versatility in film, television, and theater. With a career spanning several decades, he gained recognition for his roles in films like “Chashme Buddoor” and “Umrao Jaan.” Shaikh’s nuanced performances and charming demeanor made him a beloved figure in the Indian entertainment industry. On the legendary 10th death anniversary, Shabana Azmi who has acted with Farooq in several movies remembered him with a post.

Sharing a picture of the ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ actor, Shabana Azmi penned a note in the caption. It read, “10 years… I remember so clearly that on December 14th, we did our last show of Tumhari Amrita in front of the Taj Mahal. I remarked that we can never find a venue to match the Taj and that it should be our last show since we have been playing it for 22 years.”

A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18)

She added, “Pat came to your reply, ‘Why should we pull the curtains on Tumhari Amrita – we will do it for another 22 years!’ 14 days later you were gone… and with it was washed away a deep friendship of 40 years. I can never play Amrita again with my Zulfi gone. I miss you Firkee.”

Shabana Azmi, born in 1950, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress and social activist. She has received numerous awards for her impactful roles in films such as “Arth,” “Masoom,” and “Fire.” Azmi is known for her powerful performances and dedication to social causes, making her a respected figure in the Indian film industry.

The duo shared on-screen chemistry in several films, most notably in the critically acclaimed “Bazaar” and “Saath Saath.” Their collaborations were praised for bringing a realistic and emotional depth to the characters they portrayed, making them one of the beloved on-screen pairs in Indian cinema.

On the work front, was last seen in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In the film, her chemistry with Dharmendra was widely loved by all. Shabana Azmi was also given the IFFM Excellence Award, which was confirmed for the 2023 festival, but Azmi was unable to accept the award at the time. Renowned for her powerful and versatile performances in Indian cinema, Azmi has received multiple accolades including five National Film Awards during her four-decade career.

After receiving the honour, Shabana Azmi expressed gratitude and said, “I am so grateful I was here amongst this small yet important gathering of my peers from the industry. I always believe it’s the actors who get all the honours and attention, but I truly believe that actors and films are a result of all the teams behind the camera. I am thankful to every technician, spot boy, light guy, everyone who deserves to be celebrated. I’m grateful to the Governor, the Government of Victoria and IFFM to honour me with the Excellence in Cinema Award”.