Sholay actor Viju Khote passes away after multiple organ failure

Mumbai: Veteran actor Viju Khote, who is known for his roles in Sholay and Andaz Apna Apna, passed away on Monday at his residence. The 77-year-old actor had been suffering from an illness and died after a multiple organs failure.

His niece and actor, Bhavana Balsavar, made an official announcement to a news agency that Viju passed away at 6:55 am peacefully in his sleep at his residence, and that he had been suffering from multiple organ failure. The actor also mentioned that Viju did not want to die in the hospital and so, was brought home a few days ago.

Viju made his debut in 1964, with the film Ya Malak. He later went on to star in movies like Sholay, Qurbani, Karz, Nagina, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Andaz Apna Apna among others. He was a part of many films including the recent Golmaal 3. He was last seen in Ventilator, which was Rajesh Mapuskar’s Marathi film.

Some actors are irreplaceable, and Viju is one of them. He was part of 300-odd films and 30 television shows and was famous for his portrayal of Kaalia, the henchman to Gabbar Singh in Sholay.

On TV he worked in Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Devrani Jethani, and Aflatoon. However, while popular on TV, he had confessed in an interview that he found films and theatre more appealing.

Being an actor was a part of his legacy, as his father was the popular theatre actor Nandu Khote and his sister is actress Shubha Khote. Veteran actor Durga Khote was his aunt, and Bhavana Balsavar is his niece.

His death is a great loss to his family and the industry as well. Celebrities in the industry are mourning the death of this legendary actor.