Actor Ghanshyam Nayak, known famously as the character Nattu Kaka, in the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah left for heavenly abode. Recently, he was admitted to a hospital where he was struggling with cancer. Afterwards, he passed away on October 3rd, 2021, at the age of 77 in Mumbai. Last year, Ghanshyam Nayak was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Ghanshyam Nayak has contributed extensively to Indian regional cinema and Gujarati theatre. He was one of the few actors in the recent decade who kept the traditional art of ‘Bhavai’, a local Gujarati form of theatre and entertainment alive. Additionally, he has been a part of over 350 Gujarati films and more than 100 plays. Moreover, he has acted in several films and TV shows. Apart from Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, two of his most popular shows were Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka.
Ghanshyam Nayak was one of the most interesting characters of Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasma. His superb comic timing and chemistry with Jethalal (Dilip Joshi) and Bagha (Tanmay Vekeria) wooed the audiences. He was an extremely hardworking person and truly dedicated to his acting profession. Earlier, he revealed that he started working at an early age to support his family.
The news of Ghanshyam’s death was shared by Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi. He tweeted, “Hamare pyaare #Natukaka @TMKOC_NTF hamare saath nahi rahe (Our beloved Nattu Kaka is no more).” Asit also wished for Ghanshyam’s family to have the strength to deal with the loss. Additionally, he added that Nattu Kaka will never be forgotten.
‘I want to work till my last breath’, says Ghanshyam
A few months ago, Ghanshyam Nayak had opened up about his health during a conversation with ETimes. He said “I am absolutely fine and healthy. There’s no such big issue. In fact, viewers will get to see me in an episode of ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ tomorrow. It is a very special episode and I hope they will like my work again.”
In the same interview, he also talked about his treatment. He explained, “The treatment is on and I hope I will be all good. It’s fine and I am going through the treatment and medications. I hope the shoot soon resumes in Mumbai and I get back to work. I am eagerly waiting to get back to work. The chemotherapy is on and it happens once a month. The doctor has told me I can work and there is no problem. I just want to spread positivity. I know I am going to live for 100 years and nothing will happen to me. A positive person like me can never get upset or negative in life. My wish is to work till the last breath of my life and would like to die with my makeup on. I just want God to fulfil my wish.”
