Mumbai, June 5: Renowned actor and filmmaker Sarabjeet Singh, popularly known as ‘Gufi’ Paintal and elder brother of comedian Kanwarjit Singh Paintal, passed away today in Mumbai due to age-related issues, according to sources in the Bollywood industry.
At the age of 78, Gufi gained immense popularity for his portrayal of the cunning character ‘Shakuni Mama’ in the iconic television series ‘Mahabharat’ (1988-1990), directed by the late B. R. Chopra, which captivated audiences across the nation on Doordarshan.
Born on October 4, 1944, in the sacred town of Tarn Taran in Punjab, Gufi also made notable contributions to films such as ‘Rafoo Chakkar’, ‘Dillagi’, ‘Des Pardes’, ‘Suhaag’, and many more. Additionally, he appeared in nearly 18 television serials, showcasing his versatility in a variety of genres and roles.
Just last week, Gufi’s nephew and actor Hiten Paintal had informed the media about his uncle’s critical condition and his admission to a private hospital in Andheri for heart and kidney-related ailments.
Sadly, after a challenging battle for his life, Gufi breathed his last this morning, marking yet another significant loss for the Bollywood industry following the demise of legendary actress Sulochana Latkar on Sunday, which left the film fraternity in shock.
