Sholay's Kaalia, actor Viju Khote passes away at 77

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Sholay's Kaalia, actor Viju Khote passes away at 77
Sholay's Kaalia, actor Viju Khote passes away at 77

New Delhi : Famous Bollywood actor Viju Khote, better known for his character Kaalia in Sholey and Andaz Apna Apna, passed away at the age of 77.

"He passed away today at 6.55 am peacefully in his sleep at his residence. He has been unwell since quite some time. He had multiple organ failure," actor and niece Bhavana Balsavar told PTI.

"He did not wish to die in the hospital so we had brought him home a few days ago. It is a great loss for all of us," she added.

Viju Khote had made his debut in Bollywood with 'Ya Malak' in 1964, post that he featured in movies like Sholay, Qurbani, Karz, Nagina, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Andaz Apna Apna among more.

Viju Khote is best remembered for his brief role in Sholay, in which he played an underling of Amjad Khan’s Gabbar. His character in the film spoke one of the most well-known lines in Hindi cinema: “Sardar maine aap ka namak khaya hai.”

Besides acting in more than 300 movies in Bollywood, Viju Khote had special interest in Marathi theatres. Viju was last seen in 2018 film Jaane Kyun De Yaaron. Some of his other recent notable film appearances include Golmaal 3 (2010), Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge (2010) and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009).

The family said that his last rites will be performed at Chandan Wadi.