Mumbai: The memorable TV series ‘Ji Mantriji’ in 2001 marked NDTV’s first step into the world of entertainment. They cast Farooque Shaikh in the lead part of minister Suryaprakash Singh. When filming began, it was a keen-eyed Shaikh Sahab who noticed that the cameramen would keep standing for hours, even between shots, as they were […]

Mumbai: It is a rare man whose mother-in-law lavishes him with praise. Farooque Shaikh counts among the fortunate few. Actress Suhasini Deshpande, who played the part of Deepti Naval’s mother in ‘Katha’, missed actualising that dream by a whisker in the film. Still, despite Bashu’s smooth ways and jugglery with scruples, Mai has only nice […]

Mumbai: Farooque Shaikh (Rehmatullah Alaih) has a certain friend who went to extreme lengths in her devotion towards him. She memorised Urdu couplets, intensified her ‘riyaaz’ at his instance, and read most works of masters like Mir Taqi Mir, Ahmed Faraaz and Parveen Shakir “to please him”. Anita Singhvi, 55, is a New Delhi-based singer […]

Mumbai: Farooque Shaikh (Rehmatullah Alaih) shared the scepticism that most Indians feel towards our country’s politicians. Yet, his critique was so pertinent, his manner so witty and genial that he evoked respect and admiration even within the political fraternity. Among his friends in India’s circles of power is Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, an eminent lawyer, […]