Marathi comedic actor Satish Tare passed away at the age of 48 in a Mumbai hospital yesterday. A diabetic, Tare recently underwent a leg operation, after which his condition deteriorated rapidly, largely due to severe liver damage caused by heavy drinking. Although he had heeded doctors’ warnings to completely refrain from drinking in the past two years, the damage had already been done.
A favorite among India’s Marathi audience, Tare was known for his comedic prowess in cinema, as well as on the stage and on television. The multi-talented artist was also gifted as a writer, director and even singer.
Tare’s new play, Gol Gojiri, had only just opened at theaters in Mumbai and Pune. The actor had dedicated the play to his late father and actor, Jayant Tare, and brother Sunil Tare. Starring alongside South Indian actress Uma Devraj, Gol Gojiri was the first Marathi play to feature a South Indian actor.
Born in Pune in 1965, Tare honed his skills at taking on various characters and voices from an early age. His father Jayant was a major influence for him as a boy, and Satish had his acting breakthrough alongside his father in the hit Marathi film Ti Fulrani.
Going on to become a fixture on the silver screen, Tare’s best-known roles included the play Shyam Chi Mummy, films Navra Maza Navsacha, Valu, Balak Palak, Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, as well as the television shows Eka Lagnachi Dusri Gosht and Fu Bai Fu.
Following the news of his death, tributes have poured in for the actor.
“Beyond funny, he invented a new category of comedic genius,” actor Swapnil Joshi said of Tare. “Original scripts, natural comic and great improvisational comedian.”
Joshi added, “He entertained people here and I am sure wherever he is he will keep making people laugh over there."
Actor Subodh Bhave seconded Joshi’s sentiment: “A multi-talented artiste in the truest sense of the term and an actor who genuinely made others happy is not among us anymore. But whenever a smile is cast upon any of our faces, we will think of Satya. Wherever he is, he will make the place better.”