Actor Nirmal Pandey, best remembered for his work in films like 'Bandit Queen' and 'God Mother' died in Mumbai on Thursday following a cardiac arrest. He was 46 and is survived by his wife and two children. Family sources said the actor was not keeping well for sometime and the end came at a private hospital this afternoon.
The actor established a niche playing negative characters on the big screen as well as on television, and his last project was the Telugu film 'Kedi', where he again played a villain. A graduate from the National School of Drama, the actor is best known for films like, 'Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, 'Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya', 'One 2 ka 4' and 'Shikari'.
Pandey also held the rare distinction of winning an award in the 'Best Actress' category when he received the Valenti award in France in 1996 for his turn as a transvestite in Amol Palekar's 'Daayraa'. Actor Irrfan Khan who was a senior of Pandey's at NSD said that he was "deeply saddened" by the sudden death.
"I remember him as a handsome guy. He was not just a good actor but also an excellent singer. I had not been in touch with him for some time, but the news is saddening," Irrfan who was shooting for a commercial when he received the news told PTI. Pandey had released an album called 'Jazba' in 2002 and . directed, 'Andhayug', a Hindi play, written by noted playwright Dharamveer Bharati. PTI
