Shihan Hussaini, lovingly known as ‘Hu’ among friends and followers, courageously documented his cancer journey through heartfelt updates on his social media accounts. His posts provided an intimate look into his battle, inspiring countless people with his resilience and transparency.
Chennai, Shihan Hussaini, a revered actor, karate legend, and archery pioneer, succumbed to blood cancer at the age of 60 on Tuesday morning in a private Chennai hospital, his family confirmed. Affectionately known as ‘Hu’, Hussaini had been documenting his cancer journey through heartfelt updates on his social media, inspiring countless followers with his resilience.
Final Tributes & Funeral Arrangements
- Where: His residence, High Command (Besant Nagar, Chennai)
- When: Body kept for tributes until 12 PM (Students & well-wishers requested to arrive by then)
- Final Rites: Royapettah Ameerunisa Burial Ground at 4 PM
- Special Request:
- Archers asked to attend in uniforms
- Karate students requested to wear their Gi
In a final act of generosity, Hussaini had pledged his body for medical research days before his passing.
A Legacy in Archery & Martial Arts
As the founding father of the Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) and its serving General Secretary, Hussaini was instrumental in popularizing archery across the state.
Ashwin Kumar Iyer, TAAT Spokesperson, shared:
“With profound grief, we announce the passing of Shihan Hussaini at 1:45 AM. He fought blood cancer courageously, leaving an irreplaceable void in archery. His vision shaped Tamil Nadu’s archery landscape.”
Shihan Hussaini (‘Hu’), the visionary archery pioneer, karate icon, and unconventional actor, left behind an extraordinary legacy after his brave battle with blood cancer. Beyond his sporting achievements, Hussaini was known for his daring stunts, political statements, and artistic provocations that captivated—and often shocked—the nation.
The Architect of Tamil Nadu’s Archery Revolution
Ashwin Kumar Iyer of the Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) poignantly summarized Hussaini’s impact:
“Through his relentless efforts, he transformed archery from a niche pursuit into a thriving discipline, producing champions who represented Tamil Nadu and India with distinction.”
Controversial Feats That Made Headlines
Hussaini’s life was marked by audacious acts blending performance art, politics, and endurance:
- 2015:Self-crucifixion – Nailed to a 300 kg wooden cross as a plea for Jayalalithaa’s return as CM.
- 2005 & 2013:Blood tributes – Painted 56 portraits of Jayalalithaa using his own blood for her 56th birthday, later creating a frozen blood bust (11 liters, including his blood). (Even Jayalalithaa condemned these acts, urging him to stop.)
- Extreme endurance: Survived 101 cars driven over his right hand, broke 5,000 tiles + 1,000 bricks in succession, and endured a cobra bite.
- Political art:Sculpted a 22-ft bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, honored Kalpana Chawla, and controversially painted Mahinda Rajapaksa’s portrait using pig’s blood.
From Tihar Jail to Kollywood: A Turbulent Journey
- 1980s:Wrongly jailed for 10 days in Tihar Jail, accused of being a Sri Lankan terrorist.
- Cinematic career:Debuted in Kamal Haasan’s Punnagai Mannan (1986), later appearing in films like:
- Bloodstone| Unnai Solli Kutramillai
- Badri| Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal
- Chennai City Gangsters| Vedan
