Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale, who was undergoing treatment at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, passed away today. He was 77 and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was undergoing treatment and had suffered multiple organ failures. Aniruddh Dave, who shared screen space with him in the TV show, Mera Naam Karegi Roshan, shares his experience working with him.
He says, “He played my father on the show. I think he is one of the most talented and gifted actors in the industry. Whether in Marathi cinema, theatre, or Hindi movies, he has done some phenomenal work. For actors like us, he was an acting institute in himself. His nuanced and effortless acting and the ease with which he would slip into a character were brilliant. He was an actor par excellence.”
He feels fortunate to have collaborated with him again for a film. He says, “Shooting for Pranam was such a wonderful experience. He would tell everyone that as an actor, you should constantly learn and hone your skills. I learnt from him that acting is always an ongoing process and there is always more to learn. I have seen a few plays of his which I liked a lot. Needless to say, he was brilliant in every project he did. My favourites among his many films are Natsamrat and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.”
The actor is shaken by the news of Vikram Gokhale’s demise. “I prayed for his well-being when I learnt about him being hospitalised. We have lost many talented actors in recent times. I get disturbed after reading such news. Even I have seen death very closely when I was down with COVID and on the ventilator. Life is precious. The void one leaves after passing can never be filled,” he concludes.
