Naushad, the popular chef and Malayalam film producer, died on Friday in Thiruvalla, Kerala.
He was 55.
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According to a report in The New Indian Express, Naushad had sought treatment in Vellore three years ago for a stomach ailment. He had also been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kochi for more than a year due to a spinal cord injury and underwent heart surgery five months ago. He was admitted to a private hospital at Thiruvalla last month.
Naushad began his career as a producer with the 2004 drama film Kazhcha, starring Mammootty, which also marked filmmaker Blessy’s directorial debut. He again collaborated with Mammootty for the 2009 action comedy film, Chattambinaadu. He also produced other films like Best Actor (2010), Spanish Masala (2012), Lion (2006), and Payyans (2011).
He was the owner of Kerala’s popular restaurant and catering chain called Naushad Big Chef. Naushad had been part of various Television cookery shows and had judged cookery contests as well.
Speaking to Silverscreen India about the late chef, Malayalam film producer Noushad Alathur said that he had been friends with Naushad for over eight years. “Naushad had a protracted ailment following a surgery a few years ago. Recently, he had been in the hospital for over a month. And a couple of weeks back, his wife (Sheeba) passed away due to a heart attack. Her death affected him deeply and he was very concerned about his young daughter. Later, his health deteriorated and he died on Friday morning.”
Alathur added that Naushad was a kind and jovial person and he had never seen the late chef get angry. About his cooking, Alathur said that his recipes and dishes were celebrated by most of the artists in the Malayalam film industry and VIPs in other fields. “Biriyani was one of Naushad’s best and most popular dishes,” he added.
Several artists from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, and producer NM Badusha, took to their social media handles to pay tribute to the late producer.
Naushad is survived by his daughter Nashwa.