Marathi actor and father-in-law to Sonpari fame Mrunal Deo Kulkarni, Jairam Kulkarni died on Tuesday morning in Pune owing to old age, his family said. The actor is survived by his wife Hema, son Ruchir, and daughter-in-law Mrunal and a grandson Virajas Kulkarni.
Speaking about her father in law, Mrunal Kulkarni had said, "He was more like a father to me, the Deo and Kulkarni family have known each other for a long time. This year I lost not one but both my fathers. It is indeed a great loss for me and my family." His last rites will be held at Vaikunth at noon today.
Reports state that Jairam was born in a village near Ambe in Barshi, Solapur district and was keen on acting since his childhood. He also played the role of an aunt in the play Moruchi Mawashi while in class VIII and since the village did not have good facilities for education, he studied further in S P College in Pune where he met actors Srikant Moghe and Sharad Talwalkar and became friends.
In addition to that, Jairam also worked with All India Radio (Akashwani) in 1956 and got his first break in films in 1970 while working with the radio company. Reports state that while working in Akashwani, he had the opportunity to work with Venkatesh Madgulkar as his assistant, and met stalwarts like PL Deshpande, DM Mirasadar and Anand Yadav. Jairam is best known for films such as Gammat Jamaat, De Danaadan, Navri Mile Navyalaya, Zapatale, Amchya Sarakhe Amich.
