Reputed Bollywood actor-director passes away

Neeraj Vora, who passed away today, is known for directing Akshay Kumar's Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri
Reputed Bollywood actor-director passes away

Bollywood's multi-faceted talent, Neeraj Vora, an actor, writer and director known for his humorous streak on and off screen, passed away early today morning, months after being comatose, his family member said. He was 54.

Neeraj Vora's notable works include writing the story of Rangeela, apart from directing Phir Hera Pheri and a starring role in Bol Bachchan.

For months, a room in filmmaker Firoz Nadiadwala's home had been converted into a fully functional ICU for Vora. Nadiadwala mourned his demise, saying, "I've lost the battle to save my brother and friend from the clutches of death. His health had improved so much. But it deteriorated suddenly on Friday. He had to be shifted to hospital. But it was of no use. We lost him."

Hailing from Gujarat, Neeraj Vora came to be known in the film industry for his humorous approach to acting, writing and direction.

He was also closely associated with theatre. Not many know that Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, which started the hit comedy franchise, was based on the Gujarati play Aflatoon by Mihir Bhuta and Neeraj. They had adapted from it from Harsh Shivsharan's original Marathi play Ghar-Ghar.

Neeraj had an acting stint on television with shows like Shah Rukh Khan's Circus and Naya Nukkad, while on the film front, he appeared in Daud: Fun on the Run, Hello Brother and Welcome Back.

As a writer, he worked on films like Akele Hum Akele Tum, Josh, Baadshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Awara Paagal Deewana, Deewane Huye Paagal, Ajnabee and the Hera Pheri films.

His directorial projects include Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri. The fate of Hera Pheri III being made as a film remained uncertain after he suffered a stroke in October 2016.

Early tributes and condolences to Neeraj Vora from the film world included names like Paresh Rawal and Rahul Dholakia.

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