Viju Khote, 'Kalia' from Sholay, passes away at 77

Veteran Hindi and Marathi film-theatre actor Viju Khote passed away on Monday due to multiple organ failure. He was 77. The actor, most famous for playing the dacoit Kalia in "Sholay" and Robert in "Andaz Apna Apna", died at his residence. 

"He passed away today at 6.55 am peacefully in his sleep at the residence. He has been unwell since quite sometime. He had multiple organ failure," actor Bhavana Balsavar, his niece, told PTI. "He did not wish to die in the hospital so we had brought him home few days ago. It is a great loss for all of us," she said. The last rites of the actor will be performed at Chandan Wadi around 11 am. 

Khote featured in popular films like "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak", "Ventilator" and the TV show "Zabaan Sambhalke". 

Viju Khote is known for his work in more than 300 films in Hindi and Marathi cinema, famous as the dacoit Kalia in the film Sholay and the dialogue, "Sardar maine aapka namak khaya hai" or his role in Andaz Apna Apna as Robert with the dialogue "galti se mistake hogaya". He also featured in Golmaal 3 recently.