Film director and General Secretary of CINTAA Dharmesh Tiwari passes away

It’s been a black Wednesday for Bollywood today. Close on the heels of Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar’s death; here comes yet shocking news of film director and actor Dharmesh Tiwari passing away after reportedly suffering a massive cardiac arrest. Dharmesh, 63 was in Chandigarh when he breathed his last. Apart from being a film director and actor, Dharmesh was also the General Secretary of CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) , President of Federation and All India Film Association Confederation. We spoke to one of his close associates and friend, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit who expressed his shock and condolence at Dharmesh’s sudden demise. “Dharmesh was one person who went all out to devote his time, money and energy for the cause of the industry. He was a straightforward person who devoted his time for the upliftment of the industry workers. He was someone who was always looked up with respect and dignity in the industry. Whenever there were issues, fights or difference of opinions he used to chair the meetings and use to resolve them amicably. Dharmesh’s death came as a shocker to Ashok who couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the news this morning. “Health wise he was fine. Infact, I spoke to him two days back and he told me that he was on tour for his play in Amritsar and Chandigarh. He never had any health problems as such. He had underwent a bypass long time back but there were never any big heart-related ailments,” said Ashoke. Condoling his death, Ashoke said that the loss would remain irreplaceable. “It’s a great loss to the industry. Here people don’t have the time to do anything for others. So when a person like him works selflessly for others you start liking him spontaneously. And today when he is not with us, you suddenly feel that the vacuum cannot be easily filled.” RIP Dharmesh Tiwari.