Veteran actor Junior Mehmood, born Naeem Sayyed, breathed his last at the age of 67 while battling stage four stomach cancer. The actor, undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, passed away as his condition deteriorated. His close friends and popular film personalities like Johny Lever, Jeetendra and Sachin Pilgaonkar paid visits recently during his illness.
Close friend Salam Kazi, who confirmed Mehmood’s demise to a leading publication, revealed that the actor’s health had been on a decline for the past two months. Initially perceived as a minor ailment, subsequent medical reports unveiled a grim reality – cancer in the liver, lungs and a tumor in the intestine, compounded by jaundice, classified as stage four cancer.
Known for his significant contributions to the film industry, Mehmood began his career as a child artist in the 1967 film ‘Naunihal’ and later played key roles in iconic films like ‘Mera Naam Joker’ and ‘Haathi Mere Saathi.’ Not only a big screen presence, Junior Mehmood also graced television screens with shows like ‘Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara,’ ‘Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka,’ and ‘Tenali Rama.’
The funeral held today at Juhu Muslim Cemetery in Santacruz West, where Mehmood’s mother is also laid to rest. Condolences are pouring in from industry colleagues, friends, and fans alike, marking the end of an era in Indian cinema.
