Veteran film and theatre actor Hemu Adhikari passes away

Veteran film and theatre personality Dr Hemu Adhikari passed away yesterday at his Mumbai residence. He was suffering from lung infection for one-and-a-half years. He was 81. His last rites took place last night. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Adhikari acted in 14 Hindi and Marathi films, 45 plays, and seven television serials. He is best known for his work in Amol Palekar’s adaptation of Badal Sircar’s play, Juloos.

As far as films are concerned, he was a part of acclaimed works like Sai Paranjpe’s Katha (1983), Palekar’s Bangarwadi (1995) and Dhyaas Parya (2000) and Paresh Mokashi’s Oscar nominated Harishchandrachi Factory (2010).

But he also known for his cameo in Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). He played the role of a retired person who calls up Sanjay Dutt on his radio show to tell him that he is facing obstacles in getting his pension.

Apart from being a performing artist, Adhikari was also a qualified scientist and took part in a number of scientific movements.

His Marathi book on theatre called Natya Vigyan Samojan (union of theatre and science) was published last year.