Neeraj Vora: The writer behind comedies like Hera Pheri and Golmal passes away

NEW DELHI: The man behind some of the Bollywood comedy superhits passed away after a protracted illness. Neeraj Vora was 54.

The actor was in coma for almost a year and died due to multiple organ failures, said the Hindustan Times report.

He was at the residence of producer Firoz Nadiadwala but was rushed to the hospital when his condition deteriorated. His death was condoled by Bollywood celebs and PM Narendra Modi.

He was in a coma after suffering a heart attack and a brain stroke in 2016. While he was admitted to New Delhi hospital, Nadiadwala shifted Neeraj to his home after his health showed no improvement. The producer converted a room into an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the purpose.

Neeraj started working as a writer in Gujarati plays and his first film as an actor was Ketan Mehta’s Holi, which featured Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Om Puri, Shreeram Lagoo, Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah. He also acted in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer TV show, Circus.

He was the dialogue writer in Aamir Khan’s Rangeela and also acted in the film. He directed Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri, a sequel to the classic comedy-drama Hera Pheri. Neeraj has acted in films such as Daud, Welcome Back, Company, Pukar, Rangeela, Satya, Baadshah, and Mann. He has also directed Phir Hera Pheri and Chachi 420. Neeraj had also written the screenplays of films like Hera Pheri, Rangeela, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.

Neeraj’s friends and colleagues — including Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal — condoled his death on social media. Akshay, with whom Neeraj has worked in films such as Awara Paagal Deewana, Deewane Huye Paagal, Ajnabee, Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri — wrote that he was the reason why he started doing comedy. “One of the main reasons behind my foray into comedy saddened to hear about the demise of Neeraj Vora a multi-talented man, writer, director, actor… A mini-industry by himself, learned so much from him. RIP,” Akshay tweeted.