Farrukh Jaffar, Gulabo Sitabo (2020) actress, dies at 88

Veteran theatre and film actress and radio personality Farrukh Jaffar died yesterday in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, at the age of 88. The news was shared by her grandson Shaaz Ahmad on Twitter where he wrote, “My grandmother and wife of freedom fighter, ex MLC Mr SM Jaffar, and veteran actress Mrs Farrukh Jaffar passed away today at 7 pm in Lucknow."

Farrukh Jaffar was born in 1933 in Jaunpur district in present-day Uttar Pradesh. She began her career with the Vividh Bharti station of All India radio in the 1960s. She made her film acting debut in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan (1981) as the protagonist’s mother. Her next film came many years later in the form of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades (2004).

From here on, Farrukh Jaffar acted in a number of acclaimed and successful films like Peepli [Live] (2010), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Parched (2016), Sultan (2016), Secret Superstar (2017), Photograph (2018) and Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa (2020).

Recently, she was best known for her pivotal role in Shoojit Sircar’s Gulabo Sitabo (2020), where she played the wife of Amitabh Bachchan's character. She also played the titular role in Ammaa Ki Boli (2021), a much-delayed film which was released directly online earlier this year.

Juhi Chaturvedi, screenwriter of Gulabo Sitabo, paid tribute to Farrukh Jaffar by sharing her picture and writing (translated), “Begum is gone. Farrukhji, there was nobody like you and there won’t ever be. Heartfelt thanks to you for allowing us to share a bond with you. May you stay well in the world of Allah.”