Film and television actor Navin Nischol, 65, who died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday morning, was a product of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
Film and television actor Navin Nischol, 65, who died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday morning, was a product of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
The acting batch student was the first gold medalist from the FTII in 1968. He passed out of FTII in 1970.
Nischol was on his way to the city with actor-filmmaker Randhir Kapoor, when he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Actor Paintal, who is also the head of the acting department of FTII said, “It is sad to know about his sudden demise. He was a kind-hearted soul and brilliant actor. For a year, we were together at FTII and he was like an elder brother to me. We have worked in many films together and I have fond memories of him.”
Nischol was also believed to be very close to actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who was his senior at FTII. Sinha said, “He was the first person from the acting batch of FTII to become a star. Though I was senior to him, I was a struggling actor when we met. He went through a rough phase a few years ago and I supported him.”
Some like superstar Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek used twitter to convey their condolences. “Very sad to hear of the passing of Mr Navin Nischol... may his soul rest in peace. He will be missed,” tweeted Abhishek, while senior Bachchan wrote, “So sad to learn about Navin Nischol. He was a good friend. May god rest his soul in peace.”
FTII’s film research officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, “He was one of the brilliant actors in Bollywood and it is a great loss for the film industry.”
En route to Pune on Saturday, Nischol suffered a massive cardiac arrest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead, agencies reported.
Nischol was married twice. His first, with Shekhar Kapur’s sister Neelu, ended when she found out about his affair. Their daughter Natasha is one of the film industry’s most well-known makeup artistes. His second marriage to Geetanjali also ran into trouble when she alleged harassment by his family. After her suicide in 2006, a suicide note blamed the actor for her death. He was exonerated of the charges only about a year later.
His last rites were performed at the Santa Cruz crematorium on Saturday. Most of his friends, including Govind Nihalani, Manmohan Shetty, Prakash Jha, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor, came to pay their respects.
Nischol made a successful debut with Sawan Bhadon in 1970 and appeared in several films such as Victoria No 203, Dhund, Chhalia, Parwana and Buddha Mil Gaya. He gained popularity for his television show Dekh Bhai Dekh. He was last seen in Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006) and Break Ke Baad (2010).
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}