‘Mahabharat’ actor Gufi Paintal dies at 79

Veteran actor Gufi Paintal, who was best known for playing the role of Shakuni Mama in BR Chopra’s TV show ‘Mahabharat’ (1980), died due to heart failure in Mumbai on June 5. He was 79.

The actor’s family announced the news in a statement. The statement read, ‘With profound grief we announce the sad demise of our father Mr Gufi Paintal (Shakuni Mama). He passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by family.’

Gufi Paintal had been unwell for a long time and was admitted to the hospital on May 31 after his health condition worsened.

Apart from acting, Gufi also directed a few TV shows and a movie titled ‘Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’. He also worked as an associate director, casting director and production designer with BR films.

Gufi Paintal was the brother of popular comedian Paintal, who starred in films like ‘Satte Pe Satta’, ‘Rafoo Chakkar’, ‘Parichay’ and others.

Gufi’s acting credits include films ‘Dillagi’ (1978), ‘Des Pardes’ (1978), ‘Daava’ (1997), and ‘Samrat & Co[ (2014).

Besides ‘Mahabharat’, he also featured in TV shows like ‘Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap’, ‘Mrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein’, ‘Karmaphal Daata Shani’ and ‘Karn Sangini’. He was last seen in the TV show ‘Jay Kaniya Lal Ki’.

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