Actor Sameer Khakhar who played role of Khopdi in 'Nukkad', dies at 71

Actor Sameer Khakhar, best known for playing the lovable drunk Khopdi in the classic 1980s TV serial "Nukkad", died at a hospital here in the early hours of Wednesday due to multiple organ failure.

The actor, who was most recently seen in the Prime Video series "Farzi" and moved to the US in the 1990s for a few years to become a software developer, was 71.

Sameer Khakhar was admitted to MM Hospital in Borivali in suburban Mumbai on Tuesday morning following respiratory issues, his younger brother Ganesh Khakhar told PTI.

"He had respiratory problems since yesterday and later became unconscious. We called the doctor at home and were asked to hospitalise him. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of MM Hospital," he said.

"Slowly and gradually, he suffered multiple organ failure. He was unconscious and then he collapsed. He passed away at 4.30 am today," Ganesh Khakhar added.

The last rites were conducted at a Borivali crematorium in the presence of his family and some friends