MUMBAI: In 2010, a first-time director decided to make a film on kickboxing using the backdrop of the India-Pak conflict. His raw, native Haryanvi producers expected a burly man with rippling muscles, likely twirling a handlebar moustache, to enact the role of kickboxing coach. Instead the director introduced them to Farooque Shaikh, a gentleman who seemed like he'd retire from a conflict by offering a graceful 'Adaab' to his opponent. They sulked throughout the shoot.
Of course in a foregone conclusion, the investors regained their confidence -- and their money -- once 'Lahore' released. Shaikh delivered the part so convincingly it won him the National Award for best supporting actor.
Director Sanjay Puran Singh related the backstory of his first film 'Lahore' at Thursday's memorial in honour of Farooque Shaikh. By virtue of being a one-film associate of the actor, Singh could have had little to say. Yet his tribute was among the most elaborate and so heartfelt.
Singh had informed his producers that he had signed an actor for the part, although Shaikh Sahab was still to receive the script, let alone read and approve it."Fortunately for me, given that I had not even considered another performer, Farooque Shaikh agreed. Now my next hurdle was that we were on a tight budget. I was sitting in his house and I warily said I could not offer him a substantial fee. Without asking me to quote the sum, he said I should divert the cheque to a charity of his choosing. He cautioned me to be honest with myself, to not undercut the amount I had decided upon simply because the money would not go to him. Shaikh Sahab did not charge a penny to work in my first film," said Singh.
The director gained unforgettable life lessons from Shaikh. "One day on the set, he uttered a name I did not know and asked if that gentleman was alright. I thought he had made a mistake, that he was probably mixing up names from a previous film shoot, and I shrugged it off. Later he repeated his question. I asked around and found Shaikh Sahab was asking after a lightman who had injured himself during the previous day's shoot. I as captain of the ship, did not even know of this accident, whereas he knew the name of the wounded worker and was worried that he may have returned on duty too soon. Shaikh Sahab knew the name of every man on set," Singh said.
Soon after, the unit of 'Lahore' was to shoot in Ladakh but Shaikh was not to travel with them. The actor was concerned how they would fare at such high altitude where oxygen levels are low. He requested Singh to keep him informed of their daily progress. Typically amid the exigencies of time, the director forgot. "But Shaikh Sahab did not. Every morning at 7.00 am and every evening at 8.00 o'clock, I would receive a phone call from him asking if everybody in the unit was alright. Us insaan mein itni saadgi thi ki main hairan hoon ki showbiz mein aise bhi jiya ja sakta hai," Singh said.
After post-production was complete and 'Lahore' was up for release, Singh caught a glimpse of his fabled principles as well. Shaikh politely asserted he would promote the film only if he found it had remained true to the original script."I am aware that things change during the making of a movie. If I feel it has deviated from the intent, I will stay silent. I will not utter a negative word about it but I will not pay false compliments before the press either," he told his director. His faith was borne out once he saw 'Lahore' and only then did he join the media interaction.
Sanjay Puran Singh was planning another film with the actor unaware that time was short. "I had heard the saying that you need to be a good man to be a good actor. I think that adage was coined for Farooque Shaikh."
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