The veteran actor Sameer Khakhar, best known for his role in the 1980s classic Nukkad, passed away at the age of 71. In the early hours of Wednesday, he died from multiple organ failure in a hospital. The actor was admitted to MM Hospital in Borivali in Mumbai on Tuesday morning after he experienced some respiratory issues.

The news of the actor’s demise was confirmed by his brother Ganesh. It was reported that Sameer died on Wednesday as a result of multiple organ failures.

According to media reports, his brother Gansh stated that Sameer had collapsed earlier this morning. He said Sameer had experienced some respiratory issues yesterday morning, when they called the doctor, he told them to get him admitted. “We took him to the hospital & he was admitted to ICU. He then had multiple organ failures & today at 4.30 am he passed away. He was 71,” he said.

Speaking about his death, Hansal Mehta took to Twitter and shared a heartfelt post. He wrote, “For some reason, I was nicknamed Khopdi in college after his iconic character in Nukkad. My closest friends from the time still call me Khopdi. But I guess it’s time to say goodbye to the OG. Goodbye, Sameer Khakhar. Thank you for the memories.”

For some reason I was nicknamed Khopdi in college after his iconic character in Nukkad. My closest friends from the time still call me Khopdi. But I guess it’s time to say goodbye to the OG. Goodbye Sameer Khakhar. Thank you for the memories. pic.twitter.com/WCpL1Iizbj

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) March 15, 2023

Sameer Khakhar was known for his roles in Nukkad and Shrimaan Shrimati. He made appearances in Bollywood films such as Hasee Toh Phasee, starring Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra, Vikas Bahl’s web series Sunflower, Sudhir Mishra’s Serious Men, and Salman Khan’s Jai Ho.

The most memorable role Khakhar played in films was in Pushpaka Vimana (1987), which was dialogue-free. The film’s hero, Kamal Haasan, abducts him, leading to much hilarity.