Veteran Marathi and Hindi actor Ravi Patwardhan dies at 83

Veteran Marathi and Hindi film, theatre and television actor Ravi Patwardhan died on Saturday night following a heart attack. He was 83.

Patwardhan was rushed to a hospital in Thane after he experienced a seizure and breathing trouble at home. “Initially, he showed signs of improvement, but then he stopped responding, and within half an hour we lost him,” son Niranjan Patwardhan told The Times of India newspaper.

Patwardhan acted in a number of Marathi and Hindi films, most of them made in the 1980s and 1990s. He made his film debut playing a supporting role in Jabbar Patel's classic Marathi political film Singhasan (1979) and returned to the screen as an evil MLA in another Jabbar Patel classic, Umbartha (1982).

Some of Patwardhan’s other notable Marathi films were Bin Kamacha Navra (1984), Dista Tasa Nasta (1988), Rangat Sangat (1988), Shejari Shejari (1990), Gandh Matila Aala (1995) and Checkmate (2008).

As far as Hindi cinema is concerned, Patwardhan’s most iconic role was that of the seasoned public prosecutor in the Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit-starrer Tezaab (1988).

The veteran also appeared in several other popular Hindi films such as Ankush (1986), Pratighaat (1987), Narsimha (1991), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Chamatkar (1992) and Thakshak (1999). He also featured in legendary filmmaker V Shantaram's last directorial venture, Jhanjhaar (1987).

Patwardhan was a noteworthy figure in the world of television as well. He was part of the well-known Marathi serial Agga Bai Sasubai, which is currently on the air. His appearance in the non-fiction Doordarshan show about farmers, Amchi Mati Amchi Mansa, in the 1980s is still remembered.

Correction: Patwardhan's age was wrongly mentioned in the headline as 84. He was 83.