Laxmikant Berde (1954-2004)
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Popular actor-comedian Laxmikant Berde (nicknamed Lakshya) passed away yesterday morning at 2.45 am following kidney failure.

Berde was 50 and is survived by his actress-wife Priya Arun and two children.

Berde started his acting career at a young age when he would participate in plays at school and college.

But it was after he joined the Konkanast Samaj Ganesh Festival in Girgaum that he became seriously involved with the craft.

Soon he became deeply involved with the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. In 1983 his first major hit play was with his brother Purshottam Berde’s Turtur.

Soon Berde started getting offers to act in Marathi films and was seen in popular films like Dhumdhadaka, Hamal De Dhamal, Chalre Lakshya and Thar Tharat etc.

Berde’s first Hindi film was Sooraj Bharjatya’s Maine Pyar Kiya with Salman Khan.

Soon he became so popular that he soon became a stock Bollywood comedian. Some of his most popular films include Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Arzoo, Saajan, Beta and 100 Days.

Recently Berde floated his own production house, Abhinay Arts. His company was named after his three-year old son.

Berde’s cremation yesterday took place at the Oshiwara crematorium.