'Ramayan' fame Arvind Trivedi passes away at 82

Mumbai

Arvind's co-star Sunil Lahiri shared the heartbreaking newsalong with a picture of the late actor and wrote on Instagram early Wednesday,"Bahut dukhad Samachar hai ki Hamare Sabke Pyare Arvind bhai (Ravan ofRamayan) Ab Hamare bich Nahin Rahe Bhagwan Unki Atma ko Shanti De (This is verysad news. Our dear Arvind Bhai is no longer with us. May God bring peace to hissoul)."

"I am speechless I lost father figure my guide wellwisher and gentleman," he added.

The actor, who was unwell and was even unable to walk, dieddue to a heart attack in Mumbai. Arvind's last rites were performed onWednesday, around 8 am.

Earlier this year, fake news about Arvind's death hadcirculated online and Lahiri confirmed that he was fine.

He shared a picture and wrote in May 2021, "Nowadays,we are inundated with bad news because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this time,it was fake news about Arvind Trivedi ji (Raavan). I request those who arespreading such false rumours to refrain from doing so... By God's grace, Arvindji is fine and I pray that God always keeps him healthy."

Ramanand Sagar wrote, helmed and produced the cult hit TVshow 'Ramayan'. The series, which first aired on Doordarshan in 1987, had are-run on the small screen after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown wasannounced last year. The re-telecast, which aired on DD National, saw manypeople tuning in.

Apart from playing the iconic character of Ravan in'Ramayan', Arvind had also played a pivotal role in the hit TV show 'Vikram AurBetaal'.

The late star had a prolific career spanning more than threedecades in the Gujarati cinema. 'Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya' remains one ofthe most popular Gujarati films of all time.

Apart from his acting stints, Arvind also dabbled inpolitics by serving as a Member of Parliament from 1991 to 1996. For a briefperiod, between 2002 and 2003, the late actor had also served as an actingchairman for the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC).