Well known Marathi stage, television and film artist Aatmaram Bhende is no more. He was 93. He passed away today morning in Pune. Mr. Bhende was being treated at Ratna Memorial Hospital , Pune, where he breathed his last. For the past few months, he had kept himself away from functions. In November 2014, he was conferred with the lifetime achievement award at the first Zee Comedy awards. The award was presented to him personally at his residence, due to his ill health. Mr. Bhende was last seen in a Marathi film‘Yanda Kartavya Aahe’ and Hindi film ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. Some of the ad films he did, still keep appearing on television.
Mr. Aatmaram Bhende completed his Textile Engineering in from V.J.T.I. and later worked as an Engineer in executive positions in several reputed organizations. But, he found time to perform on stage. He retired in 1981; but continued his acting on Marathi and English stage, besides directing some plays.
Mr. Bhende had offered his services as the Joint-Secretary of the Marathi Natya Parishad , the representative body of the Marathi theatre, during 1954-60 and was responsible for setting up and organizing the Mumbai Branch of the Marathi Natya Parishad.
The news of his sad demise came on the inaugural day of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammelan,being held in Belgaum. We at MMW, pray for his soul to rest in peace.