Veteran actor Dinyar Contractor passes away at 79!

Veteran Bollywood actor and comedian Dinyar Contractor took his last breath today early morning. Known for films like Baazigar, 36 China Town, Khiladi and many more the 79-year-old actor died of old-age related illness.

Earlier this year the actor was awarded a Padma Shri Award presented by the President of India, Ramnath Kovind. He was a popular theatre actor and Bollywood personality fans will remember for the longest time. The cremation ceremony will take place today at the Worli prayer hall in Mumbai at 3:30 pm.

On receiving Padma Shri Award this year, speaking to Parsi Times Dinyar Contractor said, “I’m elated to receive this honour and have been flooded with congratulatory calls since it was announced! I’m thankful to God and to all my well-wishers. I’ve never worked for awards. When I got the call from Delhi, I thought it’s not genuine – someone’s just playing the fool. But I realized it’s the truth when I started getting numerous congratulatory calls from distinguished personalities, and when it sunk in, I was quite surprised!”

He started acting at school and began his professional career in 1966. He started working on television programs with Adi Marzban when Mumbai Doordarshan launched the DD-2 channel in Mumbai with Aao Marvao Meri Saathe, a Gujarati program.

May his soul rest in peace.