Naeem Sayyed, popularly known as Junior Mehmood, passes away after a battle with stomach cancer

Junior Mehmood, whose real name was Naeem Sayeed, passed away on Friday at his home in Khar after battling stomach cancer. He was 67. The veteran actor is survived by his wife and two sons. His burial is scheduled at the Santa Cruz cemetery where he would be laid to rest beside his mother. The cemetery also houses the remains of Mohammed Rafi and Dilip Kumar.

According to reports, the veteran actor initially sought treatment for stomach pain from a local physician. After drastic weight loss, his family shifted his case to Tata Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer in his lung and liver, along with a stomach tumour and jaundice. Today, his younger son Hasnain Sayyed confirmed his demise, "My father passed away at 2.00 am following his battle with stomach cancer. He was in a critical condition for the last 17 days. He had lost 35-40 kgs in a month," he told PTI.

Earlier this week, Jeetendra, Johhny Lever, and Sachin Pilgaonkar visited him. Piglaonkar even took to Instagram and had urged fans to pray for Sayyed's health. "I request you all to pray for my childhood friend Jr Mehmood who's suffering with a fatal illness. I had a video conversation with him a couple of days ago and went to see him today but he was sleeping as he was under medication. I am in touch with his son and Johnny Lever regarding his health. May god bless him,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Junior Mehmood began his acting career as a child artiste in movies such as Mohabbat Zindagi Hai and Naunihal in the 1960s. He featured in more than 250 films in seven languages in a career spanning more than four decades. Brahmachari, Kati Patang, Hare Raama Hare Krishna, Geet Gaata Chal, Imaandaar, Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri, Aaj Ka Arjun, Gurudev, Chhote Sarkar, and Judaai are some of his notable hits. Besides films, he also worked in TV shows such as Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara and Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka.