Ranjit Chowdhry, the actor known for classics like Baton Baton Mein and Khatta Meetha, passes away at the age of 65!
Picture Courtesy: Official Instagram Account/Raell Padamsee
"He got a ruptured ulcer in the intestine which happened on April 14. A physician was called who said he needs to go to the hospital and he was taken to Breach Candy hospital. They operated on him but he died at the hospital yesterday at 4 in the morning," she added. Chowdhry's half-sister Raell Padamsee first confirmed the news about his passing away on Instagram on Wednesday. "For all those who knew Ranjit, the funeral will be held tomorrow and a gathering to celebrate his life n share his stories on May 5th. With love, Raell," (sic), she posted on Instagram.
Have a look right here:
Thakore, the former partner of Alyque Padamsee, said the funeral was held at 9.30 on Thursday with close family members in attendance. "I met me at Tata theater and at Royal Opera House in February. He had promised to have lunch with me but that lunch never happened because of the lockdown," she said. Chowdhry made his debut with Khatta Meetha in 1978. He appeared in Hindi films like Khubsoorat, Bandit Queen, Kaante Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala and Deepa Mehta's Fire and Bollywood/Hollywood among others.
His last reported film role is Breakaway in 2011, an Akshay Kumar production, which was dubbed in Hindi as Speedy Singh. His Bollywood/Hollywood director Mehta said Chowdhry's death was a real loss while Rahul Khanna fondly remembered his co-star as a quirky and witty person.
"Gutted to learn of #RanjitChowdhry's passing. Despite his diminutive frame, he was a towering icon of Indian diaspora cinema and a master of his craft. By far, one of the most endearingly quirky and acerbically witty people I've had the pleasure of knowing. A true original!" (sic) Khanna wrote on Twitter.
Have a look at his series of tweets:
Gutted to learn of #RanjitChowdhry’s passing. Despite his diminutive frame, he was a towering icon of Indian diaspora cinema and a master of his craft. By far, one of the most endearingly quirky and acerbically witty people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. A true original!
— Rahul Khanna (@R_Khanna) April 16, 2020
I have such fun memories of working with him on Bollywood/ Hollywood, then, on an off-Broadway musical (that we both eventually ended up not doing) and, of course, the dinners at his apartment in New York. Giving you a standing ovation & raising a toast to you, my friend!
— Rahul Khanna (@R_Khanna) April 16, 2020
My heartfelt condolences to his family & especially his son. ðÂÂu00c2u009fÂÂu00c2u0092ÂÂu00c2u0094
— Rahul Khanna (@R_Khanna) April 16, 2020
Actor Poorna Jagannathan said, "This guy made magic out of nothing, filling paper thin roles with so much depth. I always saw my father when I was with him- the same humor, stubbornness and brilliance. Heartbroken, dear friend. RIP #RanjitChowdhry." (sic) Take a look:
This guy made magic out of nothing, filling paper thin roles with so much depth. I always saw my father when I was with him- the same humor, stubbornness and brilliance. Heartbroken, dear friend. RIP
— Poorna Jagannathan (@PoornaJags) April 15, 2020
#RanjitChowdhry pic.twitter.com/r8qM2iLCAI
Director Rahul Dholakia said he was a huge fan of Chowdhry's body of work. "Very sad to hear about #RanjitChowdhry was a big fan of his films, great comic timing and good actor. 'Khatta Meetha', 'Khubsoorat', 'Lonely in America', 'Sam and Me'. He was also the first ever judge in our show 'Naya Andaz in New Jersey in 1993. #RIP," (sic) Dholakia tweeted:
Very Sad to hear about #RanjitChowdhry - was a big fan of his films - Great comic timing & Good actor. khatta Metha, khubsoorat, lonely in America, Sam and me. He was also the first ever judge, in our Show Naya Andaz in New Jersey in 1993.#RIP
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) April 16, 2020
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