Sadashiv Amrapurkar passes away : Bollywood paid tribute

Actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar, who made his name playing villainous characters in Bollywood films, expired at the age of 64. The actor was being treated for a lung infection at a hospital in Mumbai, his family said.

Sadashiv had won the prestigious Filmfare award for playing the role of a ruthless eunuch in the 1991 film Sadak. His role in the off-beat film Adha Satya (Half Truth) had won him his first Filmfare award in 1984. He was also known for his supporting and comic roles in a number of Bollywood films, and had parts in several Marathi films too.

Some of his most acclaimed Bollywood performances were in Aankhen, Ishq, Coolie No. 1 and Gupt: The Hidden Truth. His funeral will be held in Ahmednagar district in the western state of Maharashtra on Tuesday, his family said. Born as Ganesh Kumar Narwode, the actor adopted the stage name Sadashiv Amrapurkar in 1974 and made a mark on theater as well as the silver screen with his spine-chilling performances in negative roles.

Amrapurkar began his acting career in theatre where directed and acted in nearly fifty plays. Sadashiv got his first onscreen break in Marathi film 22 June 1897 in which he played Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was Govind Nihlani’s Ardh Satya that gave Amrapurkar his first Hindi onscreen appearance. He left a remarkable impression with his acting prowess. The actor moved on to comic roles in the 90s and worked in Aankhen, Aunty No. 1 and several other films.His last onscreen appearance was in Bombay Talkies where he did a cameo in the short film by Dibakar Banerjee.

Many actors, fans and prominent Indians have paid tributes to the actor on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as “a versatile actor”. Anupam Kher tweeted: “I am so saddened to know about the demise of a fine human being & a wonderful actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar. He was a kind & a learned man. RIP” Shehenshah Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “T 1664 – Waking up in Kolkata to the sad news of the passing away of Sadashiv Amrapurkar .. a colleague and a gifted talent .. prayers !!”

Rest in Peace Sadashiv Amrapurkar.