WHATEVER role he played -- in theatre, in cinema, on television -- Ramesh Deo touched people’s hearts. But a massive heart attack finally took him away at the age of 93 years, on Wednesday at a Mumbai hospital, bringing the curtain down on a life and career that endeared him to countless millions of fans across the country in Marathi and Hindii cinema, television and Marathi theatre.

“He passed away due to heart attack around 8.30 PM tonight at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He was 93,” filmmaker Abhinay Deo said.

Ramesh Deo is survived by his illustrious superstar actress wife Seema Deo (who also is reported to be keeping indifferent health). His son Ajinkya Deo has been a successful actor mainly in Marathi cinema, and later turned to film production in partnership of his brother Abhinay under the father’s guidance.

Starting his film career almost accidentally under the legendary Bhalji Pendharkar in Kolhapur, Ramesh Deo worked his way to become Marathi cinema’s superstar hero despite some early setbacks. His parallel career in Marathi theatre took him to newer heights of popularity in Maharashtra, following which he sought entry in Hindi cinema -- through a South Indian producer, ironically as a villain -- in 1962 movie “Aarti”.

Ramesh Deo went on to deliver memorable roles alongside stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini-Dharmendra in films such as “Anand”, “Aap Ki Kasam” and “Mere Apne” and “Dream Girl”.