‘Sardar maine aapk namak khaaya hai, sardar’, this popular dialogue from Ramesh Sippy’s blockbuster Sholay is probably actor Viju Khote’s most memorable line in Hindi cinema. According to reports, 77-year-old Viju Khote passed away early on Monday morning in Mumbai after suffering from ill health for a long time.
Born on 17 December, 1945, Viju Khote has acted in more than 300 films in Hindi and Marathi, but his most popular role would be the one as Kaalia, one of Gabbar Singh’s men, in Sholay.
Viju Khote was also known for his funny dialogue “galti se mistake hogaya” in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s comedy Andaz Apna Apna starring Aamir and Salman Khan. Besides films, Khote acted in several television shows and plays too. His role in the TV show Zabaan Sambhalke, based on the British sitcom Mind Your Language, was also immensely popular.
Nandu Khote, Viju Khote’s father was a stage actor who also appeared in silent movies and his aunt was Durga Khote, was one of Indian cinema’s early leading ladies. His sister Shubha Khote is also a popular film and TV actor.
Watch Viju Khote’s memorable scene as Kaalia in Sholay below:
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