Neeraj Vora's death saddens PM Narendra Modi; Akshay Kumar remembers 'mini industry'

Pic courtesy: Neeraj Vora in a movie still.

Mumbai: Bollywood actor-filmmaker-writer Neeraj Vora breathed his last at 4 AM on Thursday at a hospital here after being in coma for over a year. He was 54.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his grief over the sad demise of the multi-talented film personality.

The PM wrote: “Saddened by the demise of Neeraj Vora. An energetic and creative personality, he will be remembered for his films and warm nature. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.

Saddened by the demise of Neeraj Vora. An energetic and creative personality, he will be remembered for his films and warm nature. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 14 December 2017

A number of other celebrities took toTwitter to post their condolence messages.

Here’s how some of them reacted:

One of the main reasons behind my foray into comedy, saddened to hear about the demise of #NeerajVora a multi-talented man, writer, director, actor...a mini industry by himself, learnt so much from him. RIP

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) 14 December 2017

Neeraj Vora - The writer n director of Phir Hera Pheri n many hit films is no more ...Aum Shanti .

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) 14 December 2017

#NeerajVora always smiling. Always jovial. Always made the world smile. RIP Neerajji.

— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) 14 December 2017

Shocked & saddened to hear of the demise of #Neerajvora ji! Had cast me for Golmaal 1 & directed me in the unreleased Run Bhola Run! RIP sir

— Tusshar (@TusshKapoor) 14 December 2017

#neerajvora one of India's finest humorist screenwriter is no more. he was a friend, relative and also the writer of my first KHDBB- R.I.P.

— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) 14 December 2017

RIP Neeraj Vora. The smiles you brought in this world will always stay with your films.

— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) 14 December 2017

Very sad to hear about the demise of #NeerajVora ji! always brought a smile to our faces RIP

— Karan Kundrra (@kkundrra) 14 December 2017

Vora had been staying at producer Firoz Nadiadwala's house since October 2016 after slipping into coma due to a heart-attack followed by a brain stroke.

Nadiadwala had brought him to his home and converted a room into a make-shift Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Yesterday night, when his health deteriorated, Vora was taken to the hospital where he passed away.

He will be cremated this afternoon at 3 pm.

As a writer, Vora began working in late 80's on TV shows, including superstar Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Circus, while his first professional acting assignment was filmmaker Ketan Mehta's Holi, which also starred Aamir Khan and was shot as a part of a student project.

He went on to star in films like Rangeela, for which he also wrote the dialogues, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Daud, Virasat, Mann and Company.

His last film as an actor was Anil Kapoor-starrer Welcome Back in 2015.

Vora also wrote the first part of the Hera Pheri series (2000), Golmaal (2006) and Daud (1997). His directing credits included films such as Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri.

Before slipping into coma, Vora was working on the third instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise.

(With PTI inputs)