By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: One of the talented actors in Bollywood, Ashraful Haque- who had acted in films such as Jungle, Delly Belly, Pan Singh Tomar among others – passed away on Tuesday.
He was 46. He is survived by wife and a nine-year-old son.
Haque, who hailed from Assam’s Goalpara, had graduated from National School of Drama, New Delhi in Dramatics with specialization in Acting in 1997.
The actor was reportedly suffering from bone marrow cancer and was undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital. The news of his demise has left the Bollywood and his fans in the state in a shock.
Ashraful Haque
Jaideep Ahlawat of Gangs of Wasseypur fame, told a website that Haque was going through intensive treatment. “His condition got critical recently and he was put on ventilator. Unfortunately, he passed away today,” Ahlawat said.
He acted in more than 30 Indian plays and more than the similar number of films including Company, Jungle, Dil Kya Kare, Calcutta Mail, Deewaar, Black Friday, Delhi Belly, Paan Singh Tomar and Fukrey among others.
He also played the protagonist in national award winning film ‘The Lost Behrupiya’ in 2013. The film won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film at the 61st National Film Awards along with the English-Telugu film ‘O Friend, This Waiting!’
Haque completed his high school from Baladmari High School, Goalpara in 1987. After completing his graduation from Goalpara College in 1992, he joined National School of Drama, New Delhi in Dramatics with specialization in Acting and completed his course in 1997.
Haque started acting in theatres in Gossaigaon, Assam in 1984 when he was studying in class 8th. In 1986 he moved to Goalpara and continued his journey as a theatre actor. He acted in a lot of plays during his college days.
Mumbai based actor Urmila Mahanta termed Haque’s demise as a huge loss to the industry. “On Monday I came to know about his illness but I was shocked to hear about the sad news. I met him for the first time in Ketan Mehta’s film Majhi, the mountain man’s set. With Nawazuddin Siddiqui, we shared the screen. I also watched him on big screen so many times. It’s a huge loss for all of us. He should get his dues. May his soul rest in peace,” Urmila told TCN from Assam’s Boko from her shooting spot.
Haque’s neighbour and a noted author of Assam Atanu Bhattacharyya said his enthusiasm on acting and other things while remembering the actor.
“It was a matter of pride for all of us how he established himself in Mumbai coming from a small town, Goalpara. He used to discuss things with me very often. It was painful to lose a dear friend and a brother like him so early,” Bhattacharyya said.
Bhattacharyya last met him almost one year ago but regret for not being able to meet him during his last days. “He used to ask books of mine. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.
Another actor from Assam who has been working in Mumbai, Mrigendra Konwar said losing him was like end of a source of inspiration. “For me, he is kind of inspiration for actors like us who come to Mumbai to follow their dreams. Being an NSDian he is my senior and when I look back to his body works in Bollywood, I must say he was a very powerful actor and every role he depicted whether in films, serials or in advertisements there is always honesty,” Konwar said.
He also requested the people of the state to recognize his works so that he can be a source of inspiration for hard work.
“During his last days I visited him in the hospital. I request the people to give recognition to his works. For me he was a silent warrior who never asked for any recognition. His journey should not be forgotten. I pray to his soul,” Konwar further said.