Actor-turned-politician and Andhra Pradesh's deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan has shared his condolence message after the passing away of actor and karate exponent Shihan Hussaini.
The Gabbar Singh actor penned a heartfelt note in Tamil. He wrote that he is deeply saddened hearing the news of Hussaini's demise. He added he only came to know a few days ago that Hussaini was not keeping well and was planning to meet him at the hospital on March 29 before this news broke.
Going back in time to his training days in Chennai, Pawan Kalyan said Hussaini was a disciplinarian, and he followed his instructions 100 percent. He said he pestered Hussaini to teach him karate at a time when he stopped taking classes and eventually earned a black belt. Heaping praises on the multi-hyphenate martial artist, who was also a talented sculptor and an artist, Pawan lauded Hussaini for his attempt to make martial arts more accessible to the masses.
Shihan Hussaini passed away in Chennai on Tuesday following his brief battle with leukaemia. He was 60. His funeral took place at the Ameerunisa Burial Ground in Chennai's Royapettah.
The actor, who made his debut with Kamal Haasan's Punnagai Mannan in 1986, went on to star in several movies, including Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Velaikaran, Badri, where he played Vijay's karate coach, Vedan, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, and Chennai City Gangsters, which is awaiting release. He also starred in the Hollywood film Bloodstone, featuring Rajinikanth.
Besides his acting journey, Hussaini was also a judge and a presenter for TV shows. Also a professional archer, he founded The Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) and also served as its general secretary for several years. TAAT also mourned his passing, with spokesperson Ashwin Kumar Iyer sharing a statement on the same. Hussaini was also a sculptor and painter who was an inspiration to hundreds of young minds in taking up martial arts and archery. He also shared that his training under Hussaini helped him a lot while filming for Thammudu.
He has also trained actor Pawan Kalyan. Prior to his death, he recorded a video placing a request for actor-politicians Vijay and Pawan Kalyan. "I will only be alive for a few more days... When I found out that I had cancer, all my friends called me and asked me for crowdfunding. I told them that I couldn't do that. I have decided to sell the place where I teach karate. Pawan Kalyan came here and learnt karate. So he should buy this place. Similarly, I have a request for Vijay. He should create an archer for every household in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Hussaini is survived by his wife and daughter.