Producer-actor Ramesh Deo passes away

Speaking to The Indian Express, his son Ajinkya said, “My father was not keeping well for the last a few days. He was experiencing breathlessness on Wednesday morning. So, we admitted him to the hospital and he passed away in the evening due to a heart attack.’’ The last rites of the 1926-born actor will be held on Thursday afternoon at the Vile Parle cremation ground near Pawan Hans terminal.

Actor Ramesh Deo passed away at 93 (Photo: Express Archives)

During his career spanning sever decades, the multi-faceted film personality has acted in over 450 Hindi and Marathi feature films, apart from working in several television shows and commercials.

After his three of Hindi films as the lead actor didn’t work at the box office, he gained popularity as a fine supporting actor.

In a number of movies, he even appeared along with his actor-wife Seema Deo. Prominent among them is Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand, where he played the role of Dr Prakash Kulkarni. Their son elder son Ajinkya is a well-known actor who has featured in movies such as Aan: Men at Work (2004), Indian remake of the show 24 (2013) and Tanhaji (2020). Abhinay has directed Hindi movies Delhi Belly, Force 2 and Blackmail.

Actor Ramesh Deo with wife Seema Deo. (Photo: Express archives)

Deo, who grew up in Kolhapur, faced the camera for the first time when he made a brief appearance in a Marathi movie titled Paatlaachi Por (1951). Following that, he enrolled himself as a junior artiste and used to be paid Rs 25 for a day’s work.

Later on, he bagged a major role when he was cast as the villain in the Marathi movie Andhalaa Magto Ek Dolaa (1956). The same year, he appeared as the second lead in Paydali Padleli Phoole. In the coming years, even though he bagged lead roles, he would continue to play negative characters.

In an old interview to The Indian Express, the actor had said, “The film’s publicity material would often have the teaser: Ramesh Deo hero aahe ki villain he olkhaa (Guess whether Ramesh Deo is the hero in this film or the villain).”

The veteran actor made his Hindi film debut with Rajshri Productions’ Aarti (1962). Eventually, he would go on to be part of several landmark Hindi movies, including Jeevan Mrityu (1970), Khilona (1970 film), Mere Apne (1971), Mr India (1987), Gharana (1989) and Ghayal (1990). More recently, he appeared as the kind-hearted Kaul Sahab in Jolly LLB (2013) who helps the protagonist in his fight against injustice. He also reprises his role in Ghayal’s sequel, Ghayal Once Again (2016).

In the 80s, the actor turned producer. He even directed about eight Marathi movies, including Chor Chor, Jeeva Sakhaa, Senani Sane Guruji and Chal Gammat Karu. His company was also known for making many successful ad films.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that in Deo’s demise, Marathi film industry and theatre world lost an actor who enthralled the audience for several decades. “Many generations of Marathi art lovers enjoyed his screen performances. His chemistry with Seema Deo – on-screen and in real life – was a model for the Marathi family life. His demise is a big loss to Marathi art world.”