Ramesh Deo, the Hindi and Marathi actor and producer, died on Wednesday evening at the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after suffering a heart attack. He was 93.
His son Ajinkya confirmed Deo’s demise to The Indian Express and said, “My father was not keeping well for the last a few days. He was experiencing breathlessness on Wednesday morning. So, we admitted him to the hospital and he passed away in the evening due to a heart attack.’’
The late actor’s last rites will be held on Thursday afternoon at Mumbai’s Vile Parle cremation ground.
Born in Amravati in Maharashtra, Deo began his career with a cameo in the 1951 Marathi film Paatlaachi Por. He went on to appear in over 280 Hindi films, 190 Marathi films and 30 Marathi dramas.
Deo played a villain in the 1956 Marathi film Andhala Magto Ek Dola, which marked his formal debut as an actor. He followed this up by playing supporting roles in several films starring Rajesh Khanna in lead, such as Anand, Joru Ka Ghulam, Aap Ki Kasam, Prem Nagar, Ashanti, and Goraa.
He also appeared as a supporting actor in films like Mehrbaan, Dus Lakh, Rampur Ka Lakshman, Fakira, the Shatrughan Sinha-starrer Mere Apne, and several others.
Later, in the 80s, Deo began producing feature films, television serials and ad films. He also directed around eight Marathi films, including Chor Chor, Jeeva Sakhaa, Senani Sane Guruji and Chal Gammat Karu.
Deo won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Pune International Film Festival in 2013.
Tributes poured in for the late actor from the film fraternity, writers, politicians and several other celebrities.
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Actors Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee and Madhuri Dixit Nene were among those who shared their condolences on social media.
“Ever since I can recall, Ramesh Deo ji had been a conscious part of cinema. Goodbye sir and thanks for the million memories,” wrote film historian and writer Gautam Chintamani.
Deo is survived by his wife, actor Seema Deo, and his sons, Ajinkya Deo and Abhinay Deo.