Celebrated film and television actor Achyut Potdar passed away on August 18 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy spanning over four decades. He breathed his last at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, just weeks before his birthday.
Potdar, who appeared in over 125 films and more than 100 television shows, was especially cherished for portraying the professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s 2009 film 3 Idiots. His line, “Arey kehna kya chahte ho”, not only became iconic but has also remained a favorite among fans and meme-makers across generations.
Achyut Potdar Passed Peacefully, Confirms Daughter
His daughter, Anuradha Paraskar, confirmed the news, explaining the events leading up to his passing. “He was getting old, but yesterday he fell unconscious in the afternoon, and we admitted him to Jupiter Hospital and within a matter of a few hours, by about 9 o’clock, his heart went into failure… It was a quick but very peaceful end,” she said.
Potdar’s journey into cinema was anything but conventional. He first worked as a professor in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, before joining the Indian Army, where he served and retired as a captain in 1967. Later, he took up an executive role at Indian Oil, retiring in 1992. Only then—at the age of 44 did he begin his professional acting career.
Throughout his prolific time in the industry, he took on a variety of roles in acclaimed films like Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, Parinda, Tezaab, Rangeela, Dilwale, Vaastav, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Dabangg 2, and Ventilator. His ability to seamlessly blend into both commercial and parallel cinema made him a respected figure in Hindi as well as Marathi films.
Achyut Potdar Left a Lasting Mark on Indian Television
He was also a familiar face on television screens, having acted in classic serials such as Bharat Ek Khoj, All The Best, Mrs. Tendulkar, Wagle Ki Duniya, Pradhan Mantri, Shubh Mangal Savadhan, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, and Aahat (Season 1). His performances were known for their authenticity and quiet impact.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta took to social media to express his admiration: “I was a fan of his character as Jaggu dada’s father. The line ‘Ae Jaggu’ from ‘Angaar’ made me his permanent fan. It was a privilege to have directed him in my directorial debut ‘Jayate’. He played a professional medical witness. Amazing timing and a super caustic sense of humour. Go well, Achyut Potdar sir.”
His funeral is scheduled to take place on August 19 in Thane, where friends, family, and admirers are expected to pay their last respects. Though he is no longer with us, Achyut Potdar’s remarkable body of work and humble spirit will continue to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.
