Veteran Actor Achyut Potdar Passes Away at 90, Bollywood Mourns the Loss

A wave of grief has swept through the Indian film industry as news emerges of the passing of veteran actor Achyut Potdar. The celebrated actor died just three days before his 91st birthday. He was 90 years old.

Born in Jabalpur, Achyut Potdar had an illustrious career not just in cinema but also served in the Indian Army and worked for Indian Oil Corporation for 25 years before embarking on his acting journey in the 1980s.

Achyut Potdar, known for playing the confused professor in 3 Idiots, dies  at 91 | Bollywood - Hindustan Times

Potdar went on to act in over 125 films across Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as numerous television series. Today’s generation fondly remembers him as the professor in “3 Idiots,” especially for his iconic dialogue, “Kehna kya chahte ho,” which remains a trending meme online.

His health declined suddenly after he lost consciousness, and he was admitted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane. Despite all efforts, doctors were unable to save him. His daughter, Anuradha Paskar, confirmed that his final rites would be conducted at 4:00 PM on Tuesday.

Before acting, Potdar made significant contributions to both Indian defense and the petroleum sector. He started acting relatively late in life but quickly made an impact, collaborating with legendary theatre personalities such as Satyadev Dubey, Vijay Mehta, and Sulabha Deshpande.

Veteran Actor, Achyut Potdar, Known As Confused Professor From '3 Idiots',  Passes Away at 91

Potdar delivered memorable performances in popular Hindi films like “Tezaab,” “Parinda,” “Angaar,” “Rangeela,” and “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman.” He was also a familiar face in the advertising world and television, having appeared in beloved shows like “Bharat Ek Khoj” and “Baagle Ki Duniya.”

Achyut Potdar will forever be remembered for his versatile roles and immense contribution to Indian cinema and television. The industry and his legions of fans mourn his loss, cherishing the legacy he leaves behind.