Legendary Character Actor Achyut Potdar Passes Away at 91

From Army Captain to Bollywood’s most familiar professor, Potdar leaves behind an unforgettable legacy

Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, best remembered for his role as the endearing professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots, passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 91. He breathed his last at a hospital in Thane, where he had been admitted with age-related health complications. He was placed in the ICU in the evening and passed away later that night, reportedly due to heart-related issues.

His funeral was scheduled for August 19 in Thane, with family, colleagues, and admirers paying their final respects.

Potdar’s journey to the screen was as remarkable as his performances. Before entering films, he served as a Captain in the Indian Army, worked for nearly 25 years at Indian Oil Corporation, and also taught economics at a college in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 44, he made a late but impactful entry into acting, going on to become one of the most respected character actors in Indian cinema.

Over the course of more than four decades, he appeared in over 125 Hindi and Marathi films and nearly 100 television serials. His notable work includes acclaimed films like Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Tezaab, Parinda, Rangeela, Vaastav, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Dabangg 2, and Ventilator. On television, he made his mark with memorable performances in shows such as Bharat Ek Khoj, Wagle Ki Duniya, and Majha Hoshil Na.

Though his filmography is vast, it was his single line from 3 Idiots — “Arey, kehna kya chahte ho?” — that went viral and turned into one of Bollywood’s most loved memes.

Tributes poured in from across the film industry. Director Hansal Mehta fondly recalled working with him on his debut film Jayate, praising his impeccable comic timing and sharp sense of humor. The Marathi entertainment channel Star Pravah also shared a heartfelt homage, describing him as an actor whose “smile, simplicity, and honesty in every role will always be remembered.”

Achyut Potdar’s passing marks the end of an era. From the Army to the big screen, his life was a rare blend of discipline, warmth, and cinematic brilliance.

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