In a saddening turn of events, veteran television and film actor Gufi Paintal, best known for his iconic portrayal of Shakuni Mama in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, breathed his last today morning at a hospital in Mumbai. The 79-year-old actor passed away peacefully in his sleep due to age-related health issues.
Gufi Paintal had recently been admitted to the hospital, where he was battling heart-related ailments and high blood pressure. His condition had deteriorated in recent times, leading to his untimely demise.
Sharing the news, Gufi Paintal’s nephew and actor Hiten Paintal stated, “Unfortunately, he is no more. He passed away at the hospital at around 9 am. His heart gave up. He passed away peacefully in his sleep.”
The family of the late actor also released a statement expressing their deep grief, “With profound grief, we announce the sad demise of our father, Mr. Gufi Paintal. He passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by family.”
Gufi Paintal made his mark in the entertainment industry during the mid-1970s, playing supporting roles in Hindi movies. However, it was his memorable portrayal of Shakuni Mama in the legendary television series Mahabharat that earned him immense fame. The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1990, became a cultural phenomenon, and Gufi Paintal’s performance as the evergreen negative character was widely appreciated.
Even in later years, Gufi Paintal continued to bring Shakuni Mama to life in the play Mahabharat – The Epic Tale, produced by Puneet Issar, who played Duryodhan in the BR Chopra show.
Apart from Mahabharat, Gufi Paintal’s versatile talent was showcased in various other TV shows, including Param Veer Chakra, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Kanoon, Om Namah Shivay, Dwarkadheesh Bhagwaan Shri Krishn, Radha Krishn, Mahabharat Katha, CID, and more.
The passing of Gufi Paintal is a great loss to the industry, and his contributions will always be remembered. He leaves behind a legacy of memorable characters and a wealth of artistic achievements. The entertainment fraternity mourns the loss of this talented actor, whose presence on screen will be deeply missed.
