Veteran Gujarati and Hindi film actor Mahesh Desai passed away today (13th April) in Bombay. He was 95 and the younger brother of actor Manhar (Malcolm Alfredo) Desai. He had been bedridden since a long time due to a fracture in the hip. He was the father of actor Kenny Desai. His funeral service will be held on 15th at 1 p.m. at St. Thomas’ Cathedral, near Horniman Circle while his cremation will take place at 2.15 p.m. the same day at Chandanwadi Electric Crematorium, Kalbadevi.
Mahesh Desai had acted in a number of Gujarati films and several Hindi films. He was also a popular artiste on the Gujarati stage. His real name was Oliver Desai. He had adopted Mahesh Desai as his screen name.
Among the Gujarati films he acted in are Kanu Ane Kanya, Ranuja Na Raja Ramdev, Veer Ramvado, Madela Jeev, Satyavan Savitri (in which he played Satyavan, and Shashikala played Savitri), Akhand Saubhagyavati (opposite Asha Parekh), Ramat Ramde Raam, Panetar, Liludi Dharti, Maare Jaavun Pele Paar, Okha Haran, Majiyara Haiya and Vidhi Na Lekh. Some of his Hindi films are Pakshiraj, Baharon Ke Manzil, Aakrant, Sant Tulsidas, Shiv Bhakta Baba Balak, Nath, Gupt Gyan, Kshitij, Balak Aur Janwar, Naagin Aur Suhaagan, Jai Baba Amarnath and Insaaf Ki Jung. Mahesh Desai had also written and directed a couple of films.