Noted Gujarati playwright and humourist Taarak Mehta, who has inspired the immensely popular Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma, passed away this morning at the age of 87. He was reportedly suffering from prolonged illness.
Renowned Indian humorist and playwright Taarak Mehta passes away at the age of 87 years after prolonged illness pic.twitter.com/3BVkWFXFPP
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 1, 2017
Bollywood celebrities as well as politicians took to Twitter to condole his death:
Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Tarak Mehta ...a great humorist in any language! RIP Mehta Saheb.
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) March 1, 2017
Rip Tarak Mehta. Thank you for the humour. You shall be missed. ????????
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha_) March 1, 2017
Gujarati writer and Padma Shree Tarak Mehta ji passes aways. May his soul rest in peace.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 1, 2017
Tarak Mehta ji will always be remembered for his rich contribution to society and the laughter he gave to millions. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 1, 2017
Taarak Mehta was best known for his popular Gujarati column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma (Chitralekha), which is said to be the inspiration behind SAB TV's show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. In 2015, he was awarded the Padma Shri.