Actor Ghanshyam Nayak, known for playing Nattu Kaka in the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, died on Sunday. He was battling cancer.
Ghanshyam took his last breath at Mumbai’s Suchak Hospital at around 5:30pm on Sunday. Last year, the senior actor underwent surgery after eight knots were found in his neck. He had started taking chemotherapy sessions after getting diagnosed with cancer.
Asit Modi, while talking to ABP News’ correspondent Ravi Jain, confirmed Nayak’s demise. He said that the cast and crew of ‘TMKOC’ will miss him.
He recalled his two-decade long association with Ghanshyam Nayak and said, “He was associated with me since 2001. He was like a family member and I shared a close bond with him. He showered the entire team of ‘TMKOC’ with his blessings. We used to work together happily. He was a sweet and kind person. We will miss him very much.”
Asit Modi also revealed that Nayak didn’t shoot for the show due to his poor health in the past few months. “He last worked with us on the set 3-4 months ago. He was not able to shoot due to his deteriorating health,” he added.
Tanmay Vekeria, who plays Bagga in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, told a leading daily, “I got the news first as his son called me at 5:45 pm. His condition failed to improve after his hospitalisation a few months back. He passed away today at 5:30 pm. He was a gem and was closest to me. He tried his best to work again with us but his health did not permit. I am very saddened that he is gone.”
Jennifer Mistry, who plays Roshan Kaur Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, said, “We just got to know about the news and it is extremely sad we have lost him.”
In May, Ghanshyam had also dismissed reports that he was facing financial woes due to not being able to shoot for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. He had clarified that he is ‘not unemployed’ and was missing from the sets due to the ‘safety protocols’ put in place by the team.
