Lalit Behl, the actor and director, died of Covid-19 related complications in New Delhi on Friday.
He was 71.
“He passed away in the afternoon. He had a history of heart ailments and had Covid, so it got complicated. He had an infection in his lungs which got severe and that, with the previous medical history he had, complicated his health further,” his son Kanu Behl told PTI, according to a report in Firstpost.
The veteran actor, who was known for films like Titli and Mukti Bhawan, was diagnosed with Covid-19 last week and was getting treated at the Apollo Hospital, where he died.
Starting his career as a theatre actor, Behl initially directed and appeared in several telefilms and television serials, including Afsaane, Tapish, and Dhoop Chhaon. He also directed and produced telefilms on Doordarshan, like Aatish, Sunehri Jild. He had formed a theatre group named Kapurthala in Punjab. He studied theatre and worked at New Delhi’s National School of Drama.
He made his big-screen debut in his son Kanu Behl’s directorial debut Titli in 2014. He was also seen in Amazon Prime Video’s web series Made in Heaven and the film Judgementall Hai Kya.
Several celebrities took to social media to mourn the loss of Behl.
Actor Adil Hussain, who played Behl’s son in Mukti Bhawan, took to Twitter to condole the actor’s demise. He wrote that he felt the loss of a father once again.
Extremely saddened by the demise of one of my dearest and most respected Co-actors, Lalit Behl jee. Who, so brilliantly played the father in @MuktiBhawan! I feel the loss of my father again! Dear Kanu I am so very sorry for your loss! pic.twitter.com/wfbj22yQgd
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) April 23, 2021
Actor Ranvir Shorey wrote, “He was warm and affectionate and wise. Learnt so much from him.”
Shattered to read this. So many memories. He was warm and affectionate and wise. Learnt so much from him. Heartfelt condolences to the family, @KanuBehl. Hug. 🙏🏽❤️ https://t.co/uLRkWuna2h
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) April 23, 2021
Lipstick Under My Burkha director Alankrita Shrivastava wrote, “Loved him in Titli and Mukti Bhawan. Had the honour of directing him in Made In Heaven. Such precious memories!”
So saddened to hear of the death of #LalitBehl. He was such a fine actor and a really wonderful human being. Loved him in Titli and Mukti Bhawan. Had the honour of directing him in Made In Heaven. Such precious memories! Sir you will be sorely missed. https://t.co/HOWRUDt6C5
— Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) April 23, 2021
Lalit Behl Alvida!
You were part of some beautiful DoorDarshan memories of growing-up yrs, like an unforgettable serial #Afsaane (acted-directed) & written by NavnindraBehl
Story of a postman, whose son explore human stories when he sets off to deliver the undelivered letters pic.twitter.com/1wC3x7xkVz— Pavan Jha (@p1j) April 23, 2021
Behl is survived by his wife, actor Navnindra Behl, son Kanu Behl, his daughter-in-law, music composer Sneha Khanwalkar and grandson Dunya.
