New Delhi: Actor Gufi Paintal, known for playing the role of Shakuni Mama in BR Chopra’s TV show Mahabharat, a national rage in 1980, passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 78.
The actor’s family said in a statement, “With profound grief we announce the sad demise of our father Mr Gufi Paintal (Shakuni Mama). He passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by family.”
Paintal had been unwell for a long time and was admitted to the hospital on May 31 after his health condition worsened. Besides being an actor, Gufi also directed a few TV shows and a movie titled Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. With BR Films, he also worked as an associate director, casting director and production designer.
The actor was the brother of popular comedian Paintal, who starred in films like Satte Pe Satta, Rafoo Chakkar, Parichay and others. His other films include Dillagi (1978), Des Pardes (1978), Daava (1997), and Samrat & Co. He played the role of Akshay Kumar’s maternal uncle in the 1994 movie Suhaag. Besides, Mahabharat, he also starred in TV shows like Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Mrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein, Karmaphal Daata Shani and Karn Sangini.
