Dharmesh Tiwari dead

Actor Dharmesh Tiwari, who played Kripacharya in epic TV show "Mahabharat", died here Wednesday, said his friends. He was 63.

The cause of his death could be diabetes, said his friend and actor Raza Murad. Tiwari is survived by his wife and two daughters.

"He passed away today (Wednesday) morning in Chandigarh. He had gone there for a show," Raza Murad told IANS from Mumbai.

"He had high diabetes and this might be one of the reasons for his death. Despite having high diabetes, he was very active. It's a huge loss to the fraternity," he added.

Tiwari was also the general secretary of the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

"Dharmesh Tiwari's body will be taken to his residence in Mumbai Thursday morning and at around 3.30 p.m. his cremation will take place at Pawan-Hans crematorium in Vile Parle," an official from CINTAA told IANS from Mumbai.

Gajendra Chauhan, vice president of CINTAA, said the actor was "feeling uneasy in the morning".

"So he was admitted to a hospital, where he passed away," he added.

Small screen stars Rohit Roy and Dolly Bindra condoled his death and took to Twitter to express their grief and sorrow.

Rohit Roy: Oh god...Terrible news early in the morning...Dharmesh Tiwari, who's been pivotal in sorting out problems of our industry, passed by. RIP.

Dolly Bindra: Hon sec CINTAA Shri Dharmesh Tiwariji left for heavenly abode date 6/8/2014 time now.

Kunickaa Sadanand: Shocked and numbed at the news of the sudden demise of Shri Dharmesh Tiwari. Actor, director, president of our cine artists association. And Chairperson of our allied unions of the film industry. He has been serving the fraternity selflessly for more than two decades.

It was just a few weeks back when he came and spoke to all the artists on our sets. Sensitizing us about our rights n responsibilities. May your soul rest in peace Dharmeshji, we will definitely feel the void. And it will be difficult for anyone to fit into ur shoes.

Ashoke Pandit: Dharmesh Tiwari, who is no more, was also the President of Cine Artiste Association. Devoted his life for the cause of the workers. RIP.