.png?w=735&h=415&q=85 "Volvo XC60 old vs new: differences and similarities explained")
The residents of the housing society in Ambi village near Talegaon Dabhade where Ravindra Mahajani lived for last many months and died are in disbelief that their quiet elderly neighbor was a famed actor of the silver screen and died such an obscure and lonely death.
Residents of Xrbia Society in Ambi, about 30 kms from Pune, said that their neighbor who stayed in Flat No.311 had moved in about eight months ago and stayed alone. They said that they had heard that he was a filmmaker but did not exactly know his identity. They weren’t aware that the lonesome, elderly man was one of the most handsome actor in the Marathi film industry who had delivered a number of box office hits in the 1970s and 1980s.
Adika Waringe, a sanitation worker responsible for collecting garbage from the building, shared her last encounter with Mahajani, stating, “On Tuesday, Ravindra Mahajani himself gave me the garbage. That was the last time that I saw him. He used to talk to me while giving the garbage.” She said that she had tried to collect the garbage on Thursday but did not get any response.
On Friday, she was on her duty and knocked on the door but did not get any response. However, after a while she received a call from the society’s manager that neighbours had complained of smell emanating from flat 311, occupied by Mahajani, and asked her to check if garbage had accumulated.
Arun Pujari, a neighbor who stays in flat 315 said his wife had complained of a mild smell on Thursday which became strong on Friday. “I checked in the passageway and other places for garbage or a dead rodent. But did not find anything. Later, we sensed that the smell was coming from flat 311 so we informed the society manager.” As we were not getting any response, we then called the police.
The police after reaching broke into Mahajani’s apartment and found the celebrated actor lying on the floor. Police sources say that the 74-year-old actor may have had a tragic accident while he was getting dressed after a shower.
The discovery left the neighbors in shock and disbelief, as they had been unaware of Mahajani’s sudden demise.
“We weren’t aware who he was. We knew that he was some film director. Only yesterday we learnt that he as such a big name. My mother-in-law has seen several of his films and is disheartened that he should meet such an end,” said neighbour Prajakta Pujari.
After the news broke, his son Gashmir who is a prominent film and television actor, wife and other relatives reached Pune. The actor’s mortal remains were consigned to flames at Pune’s Vaikunth Crematorium on Friday afternoon.
