Karate legend and actor Shihan Hussaini dies at 60 after battle with cancer

Shihan Hussaini — renowned martial artist, archery promoter, and actor — died on Tuesday morning in Chennai at the age of 60.

According to his family, he had been undergoing treatment for blood cancer at a private hospital in the City.

Fondly called "Hu" by those close to him, Hussaini had been candid about his illness, regularly sharing updates and reflections on social media throughout his cancer journey.

In a statement issued by his family, they announced that his body will be kept at his residence, known as 'High Command' in Besant Nagar, for mourners — including students, family members, and well-wishers — to pay their last respects.

Hussaini made his film debut in Kamal Haasan’s 1986 classic Punnagai Mannan and went on to appear in a range of films including Bloodstone, Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Badri, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, Chennai City Gangsters, and Vedan.

His funeral will take place at the Ameerunisa Burial Ground in Royapettah at 4pm today.

The family also urged members of the archery and martial arts communities to attend in uniform.

“We request archers to come in uniform. Karate practitioners, please come in your Gi. Students are asked to be at High Command by noon,” read a message posted on his Facebook page.

Hussaini is survived by his wife and daughter. In the final days of his life, he had pledged to donate his body for medical research, his family added.

A pivotal figure in promoting archery in Tamil Nadu, Hussaini founded the Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) and served as its general secretary until his passing.

Expressing deep sorrow, TAAT spokesperson Ashwin Kumar Iyer said, “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Shihan Hussaini at 1:45 am. He fought blood cancer bravely and leaves behind a profound legacy in the sport of archery. He was instrumental in bringing the sport into the mainstream in the state and shaping many champions who went on to represent Tamil Nadu and India.”

Hussaini was as much known for his controversial and dramatic demonstrations as he was for his martial arts achievements.

In 2015, he gained widespread attention for crucifying himself on a 300kg wooden cross — with nails driven through his hands and feet — to express support for the return of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to power.

His admiration for Jayalalithaa had previously manifested in eccentric tributes. For her 56th birthday in 2005, he painted 56 portraits of her using his own blood. In 2013, he created a bust of her with frozen blood — using 11 litres of blood including his own — an act she later condemned, urging him to refrain from such extreme expressions.

Hussaini also unveiled a 22-foot bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, crafted statues of astronaut Kalpana Chawla, and painted former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s portrait using animal's blood — all part of his unconventional body of work.

Known for pushing physical boundaries, Hussaini once allowed 101 cars to run over his hand, smashed 5,000 tiles and 1,000 bricks in a single stretch, survived a venomous cobra bite, and even set himself ablaze using 140 litres of petrol.

In the 1980s, he faced false accusations of being a Sri Lankan militant and was imprisoned in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for 10 days before being cleared.