Ramayan Actor Chandrashekhar Dies At 98

In 1987, Chandrashekhar starred as Arya Sumant, King Dasharatha's prime minister on the DD mythological show "Ramayan", directed by Ramanand Sagar.

Veteran actor Chandrashekhar, best known for featuring in films like Cha Cha Cha, and Surang, and playing the role of Arya Sumant on the popular TV serial Ramayan, died on Wednesday due to age related ailments. He was 98. Chandrashekhar died around 7 am at his residence here, his son and producer Ashok Shekhar told PTI. "He passed away in his sleep in the presence of family... the way he wanted. He had no health issues, it was just his age. He lived a good life," Shekhar said. The veteran actor's last rites will be held at Juhu's Pawan Hans crematorium in the evening, he added. Born in Hyderabad, Chandrashekhar started out as a junior artiste in the film industry in the early 1950s, before bagging his first film in the leading role with V Shantaram's Surang in 1954. He went on to star in movies including Kavi, Mastana, Basant Bahaar, Kaali Topi Laal Rumaal, and Barsaat Ki Raat.