DIRECTOR NISHIKANT DIES AT 50
Filmmaker had been battling liver issues in a Hyderabad hospital
Indian National Award-winning director Nishikant Kamat, the director of Drishyam and Force, died yesterday afternoon, confirmed actor Riteish Deshmukh, who had earlier refuted rumours about his death.
Kamat was 50 and was on ventilator support due to a liver ailment.
Deshmukh took to Twitter to confirm the director’s passing, saying: “I will miss you my friend. #NishikantKamat Rest In Peace.”
Earlier in the day, there were reports that Kamat had died but director Milap Zaveri and Deshmukh tweeted that the director was still struggling to stay alive and that the reports were incorrect. Deshmukh also implored news outlets to correct the erroneous news.
“Just spoke to someone who is with Nishikant in the hospital right now. He hasn’t passed away yet. Yes, he’s v critical and fighting life and death. But he is still alive,” tweeted Zaveri at the time.
Kamat made his directorial debut with Marathi film Dombivali Fast in 2005.
He gained glory and recognition in Bollywood when he directed the Hindi adaptation of Drishyam, a Malayalam thriller starring Mohanlal.
He has also worked with late actor Irrfan Khan in Madaari.
Actress Soha Ali Khan, who worked with Kamat on Mumbai Meri Jaan, said she was deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Kamat. “I worked with him 12 years ago in his first Hindi film, Mumbai Meri Jaan, and it was an experience I will always value. My most heartfelt condolences to is family and loved ones,” posted Khan on Instagram.