After Vikram Gokhale’s death, fans pay tribute to actor with his ‘iconic’ Natsamrat scene about a dying artiste

Veteran film and theatre actor Vikram Gokhale died at the age of 77 on Saturday afternoon. As the news of his death surfaced, many fans and celebs paid tribute to the celebrated actor on Twitter. Among the tributes, many shared one particular scene from his 2016 film Natsamrat, in which Vikram portrayed an artiste on his deathbed giving his final performance. Also read: Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale dies at 77

Natsamrat is a Marathi film directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, co-starring Nana Patekar in the lead role. The film, about the tragic life of a stage actor and his refusal to let go of his past fame, featured Vikram Gokhale as Rambhau, a friend of Nana’s character, who is confined to his bed. In one particular scene from the film, the two re-enact a scene from the Mahabharata in what is to be Rambhau’s final performance, from his deathbed.

Many fans shared the scene on Twitter calling it ‘iconic’. One wrote, “It’s quite fitting that he left an ode to all artistes in Natsamrat.” Another tweeted, “RIP Vikram Gokhle. This scene from natsamrat, will always iconic.” Other fans shared screenshots of the scene, saying the veteran actor stole the show from someone as accomplished as Nana there. “This specific role of Vikram Gokhale, as Natsamrat’s friend, will always be one of my favourites. Nana Patekar might be playing Natsamrat, but Vikram Gokhale stole every scene he was in, especially the one in which he lands up drunk at Nana’s home. He was the actual Natsamrat,” read one tweet.

Vikram Gokhale died on Saturday afternoon at the Deenanath Mangeshkat Hospital in Pune. According to doctors there, the actor’s health deteriorated further on Saturday and he was back on BP support medication. He had continued to be on ventilator support and was critical. His family friend Rajesh Damle said, “His body will be kept for antim darshan at Balgandharv Auditorium. Final rites will be performed at 6pm at Vaikunth crematorium in Pune.” The actor had been hospitalised for several days.

A veteran of screen and stage, Vikam Gokhale was a noted actor in Marathi theatre and cinema before making his debut in Hindi films at the age of 26 in Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Parwana. In 2010, he received the National Award for Best Actor for his work in the Marathi film Anumati. With the Marathi film Aaghaat, he also made his directorial debut. He was last seen in Nikamma alongside Shilpa Shetty and Abhimanyu Dassani. The film hit the theatres in June this year.