Noted Marathi cinema thespian Shriram Gojamgunde dies at 71

New Delhi: One of the noted filmmaker-cum-actors in Marathi cinema, Shriram Gojamgunde breathed his last after a brief illness.

He died at a private hospital in Latur on November 30, 2016, family sources said. He was cremated on December 1. Gojamgunde was 71 years old. The filmmaker was ailing from some time.

Gojamgunde had produced and acted in the movie "Zatpat Karu De Khatpat", starring Sarla Yeolekar. Versatile Mahendra Kapoor was the playback singer for this film, which led to other film makers from the region take up producing films.
He had acted in a Marathi film with late Smita Patil. In 1974, he essayed the title role in Marathi film "Raja Shiv Chhatrapati", based on the life of the Great Maratha warrior.

The veteran filmmaker, who began life in Marathi theatre, founded the Rasbahar drama group, which went on to win three best play awards at the state level. He is survived by wife, three sons and two daughters. His brother Vikram Gojamgunde is a former municipal council president of Latur and was a key aide of late Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled Gojamgunde's demise and described him as a 'pioneer of theatre and film movement' in Marathwada region.

(With PTI inputs)