Sathyu regrets that Farooque Shaikh was never considered by popular award juries

Director M S Sathyu, who introduced Farooque Shaikh to Indian cinema in 'Garm Hawa' (1973), regrets that the talented artiste was never considered for a popular film award through his stellar 40-year career. The National Award for best supporting actor for 'Lahore' (2010) by the Indian government remains the sole official recognition.
Industry association IFTDA organised a tribute to Shaikh on the 20th day of his passing in Mumbai Thursday, where all his directors were invited to speak.
Sathyu Sahab was the first of 11 personalities to take the stage. He said, The first time I met Farooque, he was a student in Bombay and had appeared in a play. He had an innocent-looking yet very intense face which was apt for the role I was casting for. Although 'Garm Hawa' was the only film we did together we had several opportunities to meet and work in theatre afterwards. I have been part of the production of 'Tumhari Amrita', and we travelled together to several places, for instance Dubai, Dhaka, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.''
Sathyu recalled how the actor charmed his way through the stiff rulebook of the Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, where the team was staying after a performance. At dinnertime, Farooque asked us all to seat ourselves in a restaurant in the hotel but requested us to not order any food. We knew he had the knack of knowing where the best food was available in any city. Now five-star hotels do not allow you to bring food from outside into their restaurants. But Farooque charmed the manager and brought in the most delicious kebabs and biryanis from outside. n fact he even got the kitchen staff to warm it up in their own 'handis' and we were served at table,'' laughed the director.
Within the span of a short time Sathyu began to consider Shaikh a friend and treated him as an equal'' although the actor was much younger in age. I never met his family, though. I don't know why, maybe it was destiny,'' he said, glancing at Shaikh's daughters who were seated in the front row.
The narrative of the actor's life remains one of principle -- it does not alter when it alteration finds. Farooque did not make too many films it is true, but that is not important. It is the quality of work that is very important. He was very choosy. He did not pick up any film to make money, that was his principle and he stuck to it till the end. He did not win a popular award, but then neither did Balraj Sahni, perhaps because he was a member of the Communist Party of India,'' Sathyu said.
Like most people he believes Shaikh deserved much more than he got. I particularly admire his sense of timing for comedy. I was reading through a Pakistani novel named 'Story of a Widow' and I was planning to make a film based on this subject with Farooque and Shabana Azmi. Now that cannot happen,'' the director said.
Sathyu Sahab's voice cracked midway through his sentence and he hastily resumed his seat upon the dais.