Veteran character actor Junior Mehmood, know for appearing in films such as Caravan, Haathi Mere Saathi and Mera Naam Joker, has passed away at his residence after his prolonged battle with stage four stomach cancer. He was 67.
The actor was undergoing treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel. He was recuperating at home. According to a source, his condition had begun deteriorating and was to be given oxygen support.
But he could not survive.
Jr Mehmood's close friend Salam Kazi broke down into tears as he confirmed the actor's death to ETimes. His funeral will be held at around 12 pm at the Juhu Muslim Cemetery in Santacruz west, the place where his mother has also been buried.
Kazi had earlier said, "He was ill for 2 months and initially we thought that he might have some minor problem but after that suddenly his weight started decreasing. And when the medical reports came, it said there was cancer in the liver and lungs and a tumour in the intestine and he has also developed jaundice. So the treatment going on, but the doctors said it's a stage four cancer."
Johny Lever had recently paid a visit to Jr Mehmood at his Mumbai residence. Later, veteran actors Jeetendra and Sachin Pilgaonkar also visited him.
Junior Mehmood, whose real name is Naeem Sayyed, started out as a child artiste with Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1966) and Naunihal (1967). He was given the name Junior Mehmood by late comedy icon Mehmood after they starred together in 1968 film Suhagrat.
In a career of over four decades, Junior Mehmood featured in over 250 films across seven languages. His other popular films include Brahmachari, Kati Patang, Hare Raama Hare Krishna, Geet Gaata Chal, Imaandaar, Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri, Aaj Ka Arjun, Gurudev, Chhote Sarkar and Judaai.
The actor also appeared on TV shows such as Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara and Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka.
