Pune, 2 December 2014

Veteran Bollywood character actor and filmmaker Deven Verma, who delivered memorable performances in films like “Angoor” and “Khatta Meetha”, died here early Tuesday following a heart attack and kidney failure, family sources said. He was 77.

He is survived by his wife Rupa Ganguly, the younger daughter of the late legendary actor Ashok Kumar.

Verma breathed his last around 2 a.m. at his home in Pune, the city of his birth from where he graduated in politics and sociology before joining the film industry.

The actor also featured in movies such as “Angoor”, “Chori Mera Kaam”, “Andaz Apna Apna”, “Bemisal”, “Judaai”, “Dil To Paagal Hai”, and “Kora Kagaz”.

His funeral will be performed Tuesday afternoon at the Yerawada crematorium.

Deven not Punjabi but Kutchi-Gujarati

Contrary to public perception that he was from Punjab, Deven Verma actually was from Kutch district of Gujarat. He would speak with Sanjeev Kumar, another Gujarati actor from Surat in Gujarati when on set.

In his interview to Rediff he said:I enjoyed working with Sanjeev Kumar the most.People think from my surname Varma that I am Punjabi. But I belong to Kutch so I speak Gujarati and Kutchi. Sanju and I got along well. We spoke in Gujarati on the sets and we ate the same kind of food.

Deven’s father Baldevsinh Verma was into business of silver, but he later shifted to film distribution business. Verma had four sisters. Verma was Dada Muni Ashok Kumar’s son-in-law.

B-town bids adieu to ‘subtle’ comedian Deven Verma

The void of a comedian with the subtlety reflected by Deven Verma will be hard to fill, said Bollywood celebrities Tuesday following the actor’s death.

Known for memorable performances in films like “Angoor” and “Khatta Meetha”, the veteran character actor and filmmaker died in Pune early Tuesday following a heart attack and kidney failure.

Filmmakers Karan Johar and Madhur Bhandarkar as well as actors like Riteish Deshmukh and Anushka Sharma took to Twitter to pay an ode to Deven, who was 77.

Here’s what they tweeted:

Karan Johar: #RIPDevenVerma …your straight-faced impeccable comic timing still doesn’t have a successor.

Riteish Deshmukh: Deven Verma – incredible actor, comic excellence second to none. Thank you for making my childhood so memorable. Will miss you sir- RIP.

Anushka Sharma: RIP Deven Verma…How much I love his scene in ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ “Main betiyon ko chudiyaan pehnaoonga…Aap ma ko.”

Manoj Bajpayee: Sad to hear that the great Deven Verma ji passed away. my heartfelt condolences to his family…RIP.

Vikram Bhatt: Saddened by the news of #DevenVarma passing away. Spent hours watching him and even imitating him. Thank you for the joy you spread sir.

Madhur Bhandarkar: Sad to hear Deven Varma-ji has passed away. A breakthrough humorist & baadshah of subtle comic timing, he made comedy look classy. RIP, Sir.

Meghna Gulzar: Alvida Bahadur. Watching you eat the bhaang pakodas was delectable. RIP Deven Varma Sir.

Alok Nath: Rest in eternal peace Mr. Deven Verma, will always cherish the pleasurable moments spent with you, your subtle humour enthralled us all.

Tusshar Kapoor: RIP Deven Varma Ji, I grew up on your performances!

Milap Zaveri: RIP Deven Varma. What a fine actor with the most understated comic timing ever! The heavens will be entertained forever now.

PM condoles Deven’s death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday condoled the death of veteran actor and filmmaker Deven Verma, saying he was “admired by film lovers”.

“Modi expressed grief on the passing away of noted actor Deven Verma. PM described him as a popular actor, admired by film lovers,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a tweet.