3 Idiots Veteran Actor Passes Away; Cause of Death Revealed

Veteran Bollywood actor Achyut Potdar, best remembered for his role in Aamir Khan’s cult classic 3 Idiots, passed away at the age of 91.

The actor breathed his last at a hospital in Thane following age-related complications. His family confirmed that he had been unwell for some time, and his health had gradually declined due to old age. His last rites will be performed today.

Potdar carved a distinct niche in Indian cinema with his effortless performances across films and television. In 3 Idiots, his memorable line “Kehna kya chahte ho?” became iconic, capturing the comic frustration of a professor dealing with his students. Beyond Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster, he was also widely appreciated for impactful roles in films such as Angaar and in several TV serials, earning admiration for his natural and relatable screen presence.

Tributes poured in soon after news of his demise surfaced. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta was among the first to express his grief. Remembering Potdar, he wrote on social media: “I was a fan of his character as Jaggu Dada’s father. The line ‘Ae Jaggu’ from Angaar made me his permanent fan. 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.”

Fans also took to social media to mourn the actor, revisiting clips from 3 Idiots and sharing nostalgic posts to celebrate his warmth, wit, and authenticity on screen.

Though he began his acting career relatively late in life, Potdar went on to appear in more than 125 films and 95 television serials. Known for portraying dignified supporting roles, his journey from corporate professional to respected character actor remains an inspiring story of a late-bloomer who left a lasting imprint on Bollywood.

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