These are however just a few of the roles Vikram Gokhale had essayed — powerfully — on stage and on display screen.

The thespian, who was hounored with the National Award for greatest actor at sixtieth National Awards in 2013 for Anumati, a Marathi movie, died on Saturday at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. He was 77.

Gokhale’s spouse Vrushali and daughters Asavari and Neha survive him.

In hospital for a fortnight, on ventilator help, the actor had proven indicators of enchancment within the final two days and, in response to hospital authorities, had opened his eyes and was transferring his limbs. “His condition deteriorated on Saturday morning. He passed away at 1.45 pm,” shut pal Rajesh Damle mentioned.

Condoling his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Vikram Gokhale ji was a creative and versatile actor. He will be remembered for
many interesting roles in his long acting career. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to
his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, BJP MP Prakash Javadekar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle and actor Manoj Bajpayee have been amongst a whole lot who paid their respects and recalled the legend by posts on social media.

Gokhale had began his appearing journey on Marathi stage and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for appearing in theatre in 2011. His big-screen journey started in 1971 with Parwana, which additionally featured Amitabh Bachchan. The two developed a relationship of respect and long-lasting friendship, and went on to share the display screen in Agneepath (1990), Khuda Gawah (1992) and AB Aani CD (2020).

Over the a long time, Gokhale gave stellar performances in a variety of roles in distinguished Hindi movies akin to Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Traffic, Hichki and Ab Tak Chhappan. His oeuvre of Marathi movies ranged from Lapandav, Aamhi Bolato Marathi and Kalat Nakalat to AB Aani CD, Prawaas and Natsamrat.

His final movie, nonetheless within the theatres, is Godavari, by which he enacted the function of dementia-ridden grandfather of the lead protagonist. Gokhale additionally acted in and directed the Marathi movie Aaghat.

In recognition of his contribution to cinema, the actor was honoured with the
Vishnudas Bhave Award in 2015 by the Akhil Maharashtra Natya Vidya Mandir.

Writer-director Gajendra Ahire recalled that he had approached Gokhale with a script in 2011. “I have brought you the National Award,” Ahire had mentioned. “He scolded me, saying that I should not talk that way. But after he read the script he agreed there was ‘something’ in the role. He won the National Award and the Best Actor award in New York for it,” he mentioned about Anumati.

Ahire and Gokhale had cast a relationship that went again to the previous’s play, Aaicha Ghar Unhacha, in 1992, which Gokhale had seen and appreciated. “Since then, we have worked on 10-12 projects,” Ahire mentioned.

Off public eye, Gokhale was additionally well-known within the artists’ group for his help to performers and allied staff in misery. When Covid-19 wrought havoc on livelihoods of those that trusted movies, tv and commercials, Gokhale had donated land value just a few crores for his or her sustenance. Kore recalled that each
Raksha Bandhan, the actor and his household would rejoice with specially-abled jawans in Pune, persevering with a practice of supporting the forces that had been began by his father, Chandrakant Gokhale.

“There was swabhiman in the way he lived and worked,” Kore recalled.

Filmmakers mentioned Gokhale’s artwork can’t be measured by awards alone. Ahire mentioned that after they have been taking pictures for Nilkant Master (2016), Gokhale was recovering from a knee substitute operation. “We had to do a gunfighting sequence. When Gokhale started to shoot, he seemed to forget everything and was rolling on the floor and enacting the scene. After the shoot was done, we realised that his knees had been troubling him; that he could barely sit. That’s the kind of performer he was — it was like a switch being flicked on, and he would immerse himself in the role,” Ahire mentioned.

Off display screen, Gokhale was constructing new generations of expertise at Vikram Gokhale

Acting Academy, situated on Pune-Satara Road. Rajaram

Kore, an government producer of movies who operates the academy, mentioned he had identified Gokhale for 12 years.

Recalling Gokhale, the particular person, Kore mentioned, “Initially, I was afraid to speak to him because of his formidable reputation of being strict about acting…. Gradually, I realised he was warm, loving and kind, although he remained a stickler for perfection in his art throughout his life.”