INDIA. Mumbai: Veteran actor Ramesh Deo passed away following a heart attack in KDA Hospital at Andheri in northwest Mumbai on Wednesday night. The actor has worked in over 280 Hindi films, 190 Marathi films, and nearly 30 plays in his career spanning over five decades.
At the time of his death, the actor was was 93 years old. He is survived by actress wife Seema and sons – Ajinkya and Abhinay. His last rites will be performed on Thursday afternoon.
Deo’s demise has sent shock waves in the Marathi and Hindi film industry.
“His 93rd birthday was celebrated on January 30. At that time many people extended their good wishes to him. However, his health deteriorated after his birthday and he was admitted to the hospital. He suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at 8.30 pm,” Ajinkya Deo told the media.
Deo’s filmography
Deo began his film career as a child artist with the Marathi film “Patalachi Por” in 1951. After five years he worked in a Marathi film named “Andhla Magto Ek Dola” (1956)that helped him put his foot firmly in the tinsel world. He was groomed by his Guru veteran director Raja Paranjape. He was known for portraying the role of a Police Officer in many films.
He has a lot of popular films to his name including the cult classic. He was known for many memorable Hindi films including “Dus Lakh (1966), “Taqdeer”(1967), “Shikar”(1968), Khilona”(1970),” Mujrim”(1970), Mastana”(1970), “Jeevan Mrityu” (1970), “Anand”(1971), “Mere Apne”(1971), “Rampur Ka Lakshman” (1972), “Aap Ki Kasam”(1974), “Kora Kagaz”(1974), “Dream Girl” (1977), “Jolly LLB” (2013) and “Ghayal Once Again” (2016).
His Marathi films include: “Molkarin”, “Paishacha Paus”, “Bhagya Lakshmi”, “Being”, “Bhairavi”, “Devghar”, “Adhi Kalas Mag Paya”, “Bap Majha Bramhchari” “Ek Dhaga Sukhacha”, “Kshan Aala Sukhacha”, “Prem Andhal Asat”, “Soniyachi Paule”, “Ere Majhya Maglya”, “Aliya Bhogasi”, “Aai Mala Kshama Kar”, “Ram Ram Pavhan”, “Avghachi Sansar”, “Pasant Aahe Mulgi”, “Yanda Kartavya Aahe”, “Saat Janmache Sobti” and “Dost Asava Asa”.
He has also produced over 250 ad and short films. The late actor was a regular guest in many Marathi TV programs. He was felicitated with a lifetime achievement award at the 11th Pune International Film Festival in 2013.
Rajashri Productions’ “Aarti” (1962) was his first Bollywood film. He essayed the character of a villain in that film. After this movie, he went on to deliver memorable roles alongside stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, and Hema Malini-Dharmendra.
Deo’s personal life
Ramesh Deo was born on January 30, 1929, in Amravati in Maharashtra. His grandfather was an engineer who had built the Jodhpur Palace (Rajasthan). Impressed by his work, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj invited him to build the Kolhapur city.
The original name of the family was Thakur Deo. However, Shahu Maharaj urged them to change their name merely to “Deo” since the Maharaj found them as a god-given gift to Kolhapur. Thereafter the Deo family settled in Kolhapur. His father was a judge in Kolhapur.
In 1962 he met Seema (nee Seema Saraf) while working for the Marathi film “Vardakshina”. They fell in love and married in the same year. Later the duo played onscreen husband and wife in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s blockbuster Hindi film “Anand” (1971). The duo had two sons –Ajinkya and Abhinay. Ajinkya is an actor, while Abhinay is Director, who directed the Hindi film “Delhi Belly” (2011).
Movie stars and ministers express their grief
Talking about the actor’s demise, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari tweeted, “Saddened to know about the demise of senior actor Shri Ramesh Deo. Shri Deo immortalized many characters with his great acting skills. My prayers for the departed soul”.
Several celebrities and politicians including actresses Madhuri Dixit, Urmila Matondkar, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar mourned Deo’s demise.
Taking to Twitter Madhuri wrote, “Saddened to hear the news of evergreen personality, Shri. Ramesh Deo Ji. Condolences to the family. #RIP #RameshDeo sir”.
Senior actor Ashok Saraf said that he was saddened to hear the news of the demise of Ramesh Deo Saheb. “He was a guiding force to many stage and film artists,” the versatile actor added.
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