Shihan Hussaini, a renowned actor, karate legend, and archery exponent, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 60 after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Chennai.
Fondly known as ‘Hu’, Hussaini had been documenting his cancer journey through regular updates on social media. His family confirmed his demise and announced that his body would be kept at his residence, “High Command” in Besant Nagar, Chennai, for his family, students, and well-wishers to pay their respects. The final rites will be conducted at Royapettah Ameerunisa Burial Ground at 4 PM.
His family has also requested archers to attend the funeral in their uniforms, while karate students have been asked to wear their Gi. Days before his passing, Hussaini had decided to donate his body for medical research.
A Legacy in Archery and Karate
Hussaini was the founding father of the Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) and served as its general secretary. The association expressed deep sorrow over his demise. “With profound grief, TAAT announces the passing of Shihan Hussaini, the driving force behind archery’s growth in Tamil Nadu. His relentless efforts transformed the sport, producing numerous champions who represented the state and country,” said TAAT spokesperson Ashwin Kumar Iyer.
Apart from his contributions to archery, Hussaini gained widespread recognition for his achievements as a karate instructor and his controversial acts of devotion and endurance.
Sensational Feats and Controversial Acts
Hussaini made headlines in 2015 when he performed a dramatic self-crucifixion act, nailing his hands and feet to a 300-kg wooden cross as a plea for the return of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to power. His acts of devotion to Jayalalithaa also included painting 56 portraits using his own blood and sculpting a frozen blood bust of the leader. However, Jayalalithaa herself condemned these acts and advised him against such performances.
Beyond this, Hussaini was known for his extreme endurance feats. He once allowed 101 cars to be driven over his right hand, broke 5,000 tiles and 1,000 bricks in succession, survived a venomous cobra bite, and set himself on fire with 140 liters of petrol.
A Journey in Cinema
Hussaini also made his mark in the film industry. He debuted in Kamal Haasan’s Punnagai Mannan (1986) and appeared in several films, including Bloodstone, Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Badri, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, Chennai City Gangsters, and Vedan.
A Life of Struggles and Triumphs
Hussaini’s life was not without hardships. In the 1980s, he was falsely accused of being a Sri Lankan terrorist and spent 10 days in Tihar Jail before being acquitted.
From his unparalleled contributions to sports to his controversial displays of devotion and endurance, Shihan Hussaini leaves behind a legacy that is as unique as it is unforgettable. His passing marks the end of an era in the world of Indian martial arts and archery.
Sources By Agencies
