INDIA. Mumbai: Veteran Hindi and Marathi character actor Sunil Shende, who played prominent roles in many films in the 80s and 90s, passed away due to old age at his residence at Vile Parle East in North West Mumbai on Sunday night.
He was 75 and is survived by his wife Jyoti, his two sons Omkar and Rishikesh, his daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. The last rites were performed at Parshiwada Crematorium at Andheri in North West Mumbai in the presence of his well-wishers and relatives on Monday afternoon.
Shende was a familiar face playing different characters, including a police officer and a judge, in many films. Initially, he acted in Marathi films, including “Madhuchandrachi Ratra” (1989), “Nivdung,” (1989), “Ishwar” (1989), “Jasa Bap Tashi Por” ( 1991), and “Narsimha” (1991.
He played the role of Shahrukh Khan’s father in the TV serial “Circus” aired on Doordarshan. Subsequently, he played many roles in Hindi TV serials and films. In “Gandhi,” a 1982 historical biographical movie depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi, he made his acting debut in a small part.
He was subsequently seen in Sunny Deol starrer “Ghayal,” Sanjay Dutt starrer “Khalnayak” and “Vaastav” and Amir Khan starrer “Sarfarosh.”
Soon after the tragic news was announced, admirers paid tribute on Twitter. Sunil Shende’s death was announced on Twitter by user Pavan Jha along with a few images of the late actor.
He tweeted, “Noted Hindi and Marathi character actor Sunil Shende passed away today. #RIP He started with a small role in Gandhi-82 and went on to play small, prominent roles in the Hindi Cinema of the 80s and 90s. He played @iamsrk’s Babuji, d Circus owner Circus (TV-DD).”
Mirzapur fame Rajesh Tailang Tweeted, “Great actor and a great human being …Shri Sunil Shende is no more. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to work with him in the serial “Shanti”, I played his son. Babuji saadar shraddhanjali.”
Reacting to the news one Twitter user wrote, “Sad news indeed!. We call Parlekars can never forget him. Prayers.”
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