Actor Yusuf Hussain passes away at 73

Veteran actor Yusuf Hussain passed away in Mumbai on Saturday due to COVID-19. He was 73.

Yusuf was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, PTI reported. He is remembered for several but distinct character roles in Hindi cinema, in films like Dabangg 3, Raees, OMG: Oh My God, Dhoom 2, Vivah, Dhoom, Dil Chahta Hai and others. He also appeared in numerous television and web shows throughout his career.

Director Hansal Mehta, Yusuf's son-in-law, penned an emotional note on his demise. He shared that Yusuf had helped him out financially when his 2013 film Shahid was stalled.

Hansal wrote: "I had completed 2 schedules of Shahid. And we were stuck. I was troubled. A non-existent career as a filmmaker was almost finished completely. He just came up to me and said I have a fixed deposit and it is of no use to me if you are so troubled. He wrote a cheque. Shahid was completed. That was Yusuf Husain. Not my father-in-law but a father. He was life if life itself had to have a physical form."

Hansal continued, "Today he is gone. To remind all those women in heaven that they are 'Duniya ki sabse khubsurat ladki (most beautiful girl in the world) and All the men that they are 'Haseen naujwaan' (handsome youngters). And then to end with a booming 'love you love you love you'. Yusuf Saab I owe this new life to you. I am truly orphaned today. Life will never be the same. I will miss you terribly. My Urdu will remain broken. And yes - love you love you love you!"

Abhishek Bachchan, who had worked with Yusuf in films like Dhoom and Kuch Naa Kaho, wrote, "#RIP Yusuf ji. We worked together in several films starting with Kuch na kaho and lastly on Bob Biswas. He was gentle, kind and full of warmth. Condolences to his family."