Nirmal Pandey of Bandit Queen fame is dead

Actor Nirmal Pandey, best remembered for his work in films like Bandit Queen and Godmother, died here today of cardiac arrest.
He was 46 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Family sources said the actor was not keeping well for some time. The end came at a private hospital in the afternoon.

Pandey made a niche for himself playing negative characters on the big screen as well as on television. His last project was the Telugu film Kedi, in which he again played a villain.

A graduate of the National School of Drama, Pandey is best known for films like Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, One, 2 ka 4, and Shikari.

He also held the rare distinction of winning an award in the 'Best Actress' category when he received the Valenti award in France in 1996 for his turn as a transvestite in Amol Palekar's Daayraa.

Actor Irrfan Khan, who was Pandey's senior at the NSD, said he was "deeply saddened" by the sudden death.

"I remember him as a handsome guy," said Khan, who was shooting for a commercial when he received the news.

"He was not just a good actor but also an excellent singer. I had not been in touch with him for some time, but the news is saddening."

Pandey had released an album called Jazba in 2002 and directed Andha Yug, a Hindi play written by Dharmavir Bharati.