Marathi actor dies in car accident

MUMBAI: Veteran Marathi film and television actor Vihang Nayak died when his car overturned after hitting a divider on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Monday. He was 58. His driver was killed as well.

The fatal mishap took place at around 7 am near Kalamboli on the expressway, police said. The actor was going to Baramati in Pune district to shoot for leading Marathi film director Sanjay Surkar's still untitled film.

Both Naik and his 29-year-old driver were rushed to hospital where they were declared dead.

A familiar father-figure in millions of Marathi households through his popular ongoing TV serial 'Awaghachi Sansar', Nayak was also actively involved in Mumbai's English theatre. He was doing a major role in Bharat Dabholkar's upcoming 'Hinglish' play 'Ugly aur Pagli'.

A civil engineer working for a private firm till recently, Nayak made his foray into acting with his role in Govind Nihalani's 'Aakrosh' (1980). 'God Only Knows' (2004) was another film in which he had played a memorable role.