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Filmmaker and AIFEC President Dharmesh Tiwari and actor Amitabh Bachchan during the closing ceremony of the All India Film Employees Confederation (AIFEC) event in Mumbai on January 23, 2014. (Photo: IANS) Image Credit: IANS

Dharmesh Tiwari, who is remembered for playing Kripacharya in epic TV Mahabharat, died on Wednesday. The cause of death was believed to be due to complications with diabetes. He was 63.

Tiwari is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Tiwari, who was also the general secretary of the Cine & TV Artistes Association and president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, had been at a show.

“He passed away today [Wednesday] morning in Chandigarh. He had gone there for a show,” said Raza Murad, who was close friends with Tiwari.

“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.

Gajendra Chauhan, vice president of Cintaa, said his body will be flown to Mumbai.

“He was feeling uneasy in the morning, so he was admitted to a hospital, where he passed away. There is a flight to Mumbai from Amritsar at 3.5pm so the family members are planning to take his body and accordingly we will decide his funeral.”

Rohit Roy and Dolly Bindra sent their condolences through Twitter and expressed thier grief and sorrow.

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

Bindra wrote: “Hon sec cintaa Shri Dharmesh tiwariji left for heavenly abode date 6/8/2014 time now.”

Kunickaa Sadanand wrote: “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. Sensitising us about our rights and responsibilities. May your soul rest in peace Dharmeshji, we will definitely feel the void. And it will be difficult for anyone to fit into your shoes.”

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