Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff, Hansal Mehta pay tribute to Achyut Potdar

Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, remembered for his memorable roles in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, passed away at the age of 91 on August 18. The actor, best known for playing the stern professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots, breathed his last at Jupiter Hospital in Thane after suffering health complications.

Confirming the news, Dr Ravindra Ghawat, Director of the Critical Care Department at Jupiter Hospital, told PTI, “He was admitted to the hospital in a critical state with breathing and heart issues around 4 p.m. He was kept in the ICU. He passed away at 10:30 p.m. due to heart-related issues. He had high blood pressure and weak cardiovascular health.”

The news of his demise prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues in the film industry. Aamir Khan, who worked with Potdar in 3 Idiots, shared an emotional note through his production house’s social media handle. “I am very saddened to hear about Achyutji’s passing away. He was an amazing actor, a wonderful human being, and a great colleague. We will miss you, Achyutji. My heartfelt condolences to his family,” wrote Aamir.

Actor Jackie Shroff also expressed grief. Sharing an old photograph with Potdar on Instagram stories, he wrote, “This pic with Achyut ji will always be in my heart,” alongside a film clip where the two appeared together.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who directed Potdar in his debut film Jayate, paid tribute on X (formerly Twitter). “I was a fan of his character as Jaggu dada’s father. The line ‘Ae Jaggu’ from Angaar made me his permanent fan. Was a privilege to have directed him. Amazing timing and a super caustic sense of humour. Go well Achyut Potdar sir,” Mehta wrote.

Across his career, Potdar appeared in more than 125 films, spanning acclaimed titles like Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Parinda, Rangeela, Vaastav, Parineeta, and Lage Raho Munna Bhai. His versatility made him a familiar face to audiences over decades.

For many, his strict yet endearing professor in 3 Idiots remains an unforgettable role, with his dialogue “Kehna Kya Chahte Ho” becoming part of popular culture. His passing leaves a void in Indian cinema that colleagues and admirers say will be hard to fill.