Shreeram Lagoo passes away; Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee pay tributes

Veteran actor, late Dr. Shreeram Lagoo. Picture/Twitter Balasaheb Thorat

Veteran actor and a stalwart in Marathi theatre and cinema, Dr. Shreeram Lagoo breathed his last at the age of 92 in Pune. On Tuesday night, Dr. Shreeram Lagoo passed away at the age of 92 at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. He passed away following age-related health issues, family sources said.

The veteran actor is known for his prominent roles in Marathi plays such as "Natsamrat" and "Himalayachi Saoli", and films like "Pinjra" that made him popular. In Bollywood, Lagoo essayed memorable roles in films like "Ek Din Achanak", "Gharonda", "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar" and "Laawaris". He played Gopal Krishna Gokhale in Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi". Lagoo, who was affectionately known as "Doctor" in the theatre circles was also known for his progressive and rationalist views.

As the news of Lagoo's death spread, prominent personalities across politics, sports, and entertainment industry paid rich tributes to the veteran actor. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar took to Twitter and paid homage to the late actor. In his tribute, Javadekar said that Dr. Shreeram Lagoo was a unique theatre actor who dominated the silver screen and created impact. He was a social activist simultaneously.

Here's what Prakash Kavadekar tweeted:

Besides Javadekar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also paid homage to the late veteran actor.

Paying rich tributes, Thackeray said that there was nobody like Dr. Shreeram Lagoo. While PM Modi said that Dr. Lagoo's work will be remembered for years to come.

He even mentioned about mentioned Lagoo's roles in the play "Natsamrat" and films such as "Pinjra" and "Simhasan" (in which Lagoo played a minister eyeing the CM's post).

Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat also paid homage to the veteran actor of Marathi and Bollywood film industry. NCP leader and MLA Ajit Pawar said that the passing away of Lagoo is "painful" as he paid respects to the actor.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule also paid their tribute to the late veteran actor. While Sule remembered Dr. Lagoo as an outstanding contributor to the field of theater and cinema; NCP chief said that the state has lost a great actor.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called Lagoo an "accomplished thespian". In her tribute, the TRMC chief paid homage to the veteran actor.

Dr. Shreeram Lagoo is survived by his wife, actor Deepa Lagoo, a son and a daughter.

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