Unique actor Shriram Lagoo dominated silver screen
MUMBAI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned veteran actor Shriram Lagoo on Wednesday. The cinematic legend died in Pune on Tuesday evening due to old age related ailments, reported news agency PTI, citing scriptwriter Satish Alekar. He was 92.
Paying tribute to the legendary actor, PM Narendra Modi wrote on social media that Shriram Lagoo’s “work will be remembered for years to come.” He tweeted: “Shriram Lagoo personified versatility and brilliance.
Through the years, he enthralled audiences with outstanding performances. His work will be remembered for years to come. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his admirers. Om shanti.”
Shriram Lagoo was a well-known personality in Hindi as well as Marathi cinema and theatre. Throughout his career, he directed as well as appeared in several plays and films.
He was best known for his performances in the 1977 Hindi film Gharaonda, the 1972 Marathi film Pinjra, the 1980 Marathi film Sinhasan, Thodisi Bewafaii (1980 Hindi film), the 1981 Hindi movie Laawaris and the 1983 iconic film Sadma.
In the theatre scenario, he was part of critically acclaimed Marathi plays such as Jagannathacha Rath, Himalayachi Sawali, Premachi Goshta?, Kirwant, Garbo, Aadhe Adhure and Dubhang among others.
Apart from acting, Shriram Lagoo was also associated with many social causes. He was also a trained otolaryngologist (a surgeon who deals with head and neck treatment). Other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other politicians such as Prithviraj Chavan and Prakash Javadekar also condoled the legendary actor’s death on social media.
As an actor, Lagoo’s roles in Marathi plays such as “Natsamrat” and “Himalayachi Saoli”, and films like “Pinjra” made him popular. He essayed memorable roles in Bollywood films such as “Ek Din Achanak”, “Gharonda” and “Lawaris” to name a few.
Lagoo, who was a trained ENT surgeon, played a key role in the growth of theatre movement in Maharashtra in the post-Independence era along with Vijay Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta and Arvind Deshpande.
Alekar said after the demise of Lagoo, affectionately known in theatre circles as ‘Doctor’, “we have lost a giant actor from the Indian theatre scene”.Lagoo was at par with any stalwarts internationally known. He was the last soldier who steadfastly believed in the freedom of expression and he stood for the freedom of expression during the Emergency, according to Alekar.
“He steadfastly stood behind Vijay Tendulkar and other actors of Ghanshiram Kotwal and Sakharam Binder,” the playwright said. In a tweet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said: “My tributes to all time great artist Shreeram Lagoo. We have lost a versatile personality.
A unique theatre actor dominated silver screen and created impact. He was social activists simultaneously.(Bureau Report with Agency Inputs).
