Actor-writer Neeraj Vora dies at 54

Bollywood actor and filmmaker Neeraj Vora died at a Mumbai hospital on Thursday morning after being in coma for almost a year.

He was in coma after suffering a heart attack and a brain stroke in 2016. While he was admitted to New Delhi’s AIIMS initially, Nadiadwala shifted Neeraj to his home after his health showed no improvement. The producer converted a room into an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the purpose.

The 54-year-old actor was at the residence of producer Firoz Nadiadwala but was rushed to hospital when his condition deteriorated. His death was condoled by Bollywood celebs and PM Narendra Modi.

Nadiadwala who had been taking care of the actor for last one year also said, “He passed away at 4 a.m. on Thursday. I’ve lost the battle to save my brother and friend from the clutches of death. His health had improved so much. But it deteriorated suddenly on Friday. He had to be shifted to hospital. But it was no use. We lost him.”

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit tweeted, “Writer,Director,Actor,Producer Neeraj Vora was on ventilator from last 4 days & expired due to multi organ failure. The Creamation will be held today at 3 pm today at the Santa Cruz west. Creamation Ground (sic).” Neeraj’s wife died a few years ago, he has no children.

Neeraj started working as a writer in Gujarati plays and his first film as an actor was Ketan Mehta’s Holi, which featured Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Om Puri, Shreeram Lagoo, Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah. He also acted in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer TV show, Circus.

He was the dialogue writer in Aamir Khan’s Rangeela and also acted in the film. He directed Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri, a sequel to the classic comedy-drama Hera Pheri. Neeraj has acted in films such as Daud, Welcome Back, Company, Pukar, Rangeela, Satya, Baadshah and Mann. He has also directed Phir Hera Pheri and Chachi 420. Neeraj had also written the screenplays of films like Hera Pheri, Rangeela, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.

He was supposed to start work on the next part of Hera Pheri. However, given his health, it was reported in March that Ahmed Khan will direct the film. The film was supposed to star Akshay, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal. But shetty has told Mid-Day that only Neeraj will direct the film. “I believe he is doing better now. Once he is fit, we will roll out the film,” the actor had said.