Shihan Hussaini No More: Tamil Actor And Karate Champion Succumbs to Blood Cancer

Last Updated:March 25, 2025, 09:15 IST

Actor and martial arts expert Shihan Hussaini passed away on March 25 after battling blood cancer. His body will be kept at his residence in Chennai for respects before final rites in Madurai.

Shihan Hussaini died on March 25 in Chennai.

Actor, karate, and archery expert Shihan Hussaini passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, March 25, after a courageous battle with blood cancer. His family announced the news of his passing on Facebook. His mortal remains will be kept at his residence, High Command, in Besant Nagar, Chennai, allowing family, friends, the public, and his students to pay their respects. Later, his body will be taken to Madurai for the final rites.

Hussaini is survived by his wife and daughter. “I’m very sad to inform that HU has left us. HU will be at the High Command, his residence at Besant Nagar until evening (sic),” a Facebook post from his family read.

Hussaini’s family has invited his students, archers, parents, and coaches to pay their respects in a way he would have loved—by shooting arrows and performing katas, celebrating his passion for martial arts one last time.

Throughout his battle with cancer, Hussaini kept his followers updated on social media, bravely documenting his journey. Moved by his situation, the Tamil Nadu government stepped in to offer financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for his treatment. In his final days, Hussaini had even announced that he would donate his body for medical research.

Hussaini made his big-screen debut with Kamal Haasan’s Punnagai Mannan in 1986 and later appeared in Rajinikanth’s Velaikaran and Hollywood’s Bloodstone, among other Tamil films. He played a memorable role as Vijay’s karate coach in Badri and was last seen in Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal and Chennai City Gangsters alongside Vijay Sethupathi.

Beyond films, he was a familiar face on television, serving as both a judge and presenter on various reality shows. But acting was just one part of his multi-faceted personality. Hussaini was also a martial artist, archery expert, and sculptor.