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Actor Narendra Jha dead at 55 (Lead)
Mumbai, March 14 (IANS) Hindi film actor Narendra Jha, seen in films like “Haider” and “Raees”, died on Wednesday due to a heart attack, leaving the Bollywood fraternity in disbelief. He was 55.
His sudden demise on Wednesday came to his friends and associates as a shock as he was hale, hearty and geared up to feature in a slew of new projects.
Narendra was at his farmhouse in Nanegaon in Nashik district of Maharashtra, when he complained of chest pain. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but he had already passed away, the actor’s driver Lakshman Singh told IANS.
The cremation took place in Wada in Nashik. His family members, including wife Pankaja Thakur, and some of his industry friends like Rajpal Yadav and Mohit Madaan were present there.
Born and brought up in Delhi, Narendra also featured in films like “Mohenjo Daro” and “Kaabil”. He worked with iconic filmmaker Shyam Benegal for the film “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero” and television series “Samvidhaan”.
His other TV credits include “Shanti”, “Ithihass”, “Captain House”, “Begusarai” and “Chhoona Hai Aasmaan”.
Narendra’s role in “Haider” as Shahid Kapoor’s father was widely lauded, and he essayed Musabhai in “Raees”.
One of the last dialogues the actor delivered on-screen was: “Life is unpredictable. Who knows about the next Friday?” He sad this in “2016 – The End”, which released towards the end of last year.
He was signed up for the upcoming Salman Khan starrer “Race 3” among other projects. He had recently shot for director Awani Agrawal’s tentatively titled “De Ijaazat Rahun Tujhme”.
Agrawal told IANS that Narendra was fine while shooting for the film in Gujarat earlier this month.
Mohit, who worked with Narendra in the film, said: “I will always remember our final conversation on the night before he left for home where he found me lost in my own world sitting in the lawn. He sat with me on the grass and we ate dinner together from one plate.
“There was an instant attachment and he motivated me to continue as an actor.”
Some film fraternity members were in disbelief.
“Kaabil” director Sanjay Gupta tweeted: “I refuse to accept it. Life cannot be so damn unpredictable. I just met a hale and hearty Narendra Jha at the park last week.
“And now I’m hearing he passed away this morning. Such a splendid actor and a marvellous human being. Rest in peace my friend. May God bless your soul.”
Hrithik Roshan, the lead star of “Kaabil”, said: “He was a dream to work with. What an actor. This is absolutely shocking. Narendra Jha, you will be so missed.”
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta found the news a “shocker”, and commented: “This profession is truly a killer.”
Actor Rohit Roy called him one of the “sweetest, most respectful and soft spoken actors around”, while Narendra’s “Ghayal Once Again” co-star Tisca Chopra said he was a “fine person and actor”.
For Ekta Kapoor too, he was one of the finest actors she worked with.
Milap Zaveri was looking forward to shoot with Narendra next month for a project.
“Still can’t believe it,” he said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.