<p><span>The actor breathed his last in the hospital where he had been admitted on July 5 for treatment of cancer of the oesophagus.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>He is survived by his wife and a daughter.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>The demise of Phule, described as the most "accomplished villain", drew the curtains on one of the most memorable chapters that spanned over four decades in Marathi films and stage.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>He had acted in over 130 films that bore his stamp as a talented artiste. But Marathi film industry got its most celebrated villain in Nilu with his debut film 'Ek Gav Bara Bhangdi'.</span></p>.<p> <span>His roles in 'Saamna', 'Pinjra'( directed by V Shantaram), 'Sinhasan' were widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.<br /></span></p>.<p><span>Starting his career in theatre with a notable performance in "Katha Aklechya Kandyachi", a folk play, Phule later became a vital part of Marathi cinema with his portrayal of villains rooted in rural politics and displaying a rustic cunningness.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>Clad in 'dhoti' and sporting a 'Gandhi cap', he immortalised his roles as 'village sarpanch' and the character he played against Shriram Lagoo in 'Saamna'.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>His Bollywood films include 'Coolie' (with Amitabh Bachchan), 'Saransh', 'Vo Saat Din','Naram Garam','Malmasala' 'So din Saas Ke', ' Bhayanak' and 'Garibo ka Data' among others.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>Phule, who was also known for his social activism, has left an indelible mark on Marathi stage.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>A recipient of many awards, Phule worked hard to promote the interests of folk artistes in various branches of the traditional art forms.<br /><br /></span></p>.<span>In Vijay Tendulkar's controversial drama 'Sakaharam Binder' staged in 1972, he played the protagonist with a bold projection of social aberrations that invited wrath of the puritans who staged protests against it.</span>
<p><span>The actor breathed his last in the hospital where he had been admitted on July 5 for treatment of cancer of the oesophagus.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>He is survived by his wife and a daughter.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>The demise of Phule, described as the most "accomplished villain", drew the curtains on one of the most memorable chapters that spanned over four decades in Marathi films and stage.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>He had acted in over 130 films that bore his stamp as a talented artiste. But Marathi film industry got its most celebrated villain in Nilu with his debut film 'Ek Gav Bara Bhangdi'.</span></p>.<p> <span>His roles in 'Saamna', 'Pinjra'( directed by V Shantaram), 'Sinhasan' were widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.<br /></span></p>.<p><span>Starting his career in theatre with a notable performance in "Katha Aklechya Kandyachi", a folk play, Phule later became a vital part of Marathi cinema with his portrayal of villains rooted in rural politics and displaying a rustic cunningness.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>Clad in 'dhoti' and sporting a 'Gandhi cap', he immortalised his roles as 'village sarpanch' and the character he played against Shriram Lagoo in 'Saamna'.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>His Bollywood films include 'Coolie' (with Amitabh Bachchan), 'Saransh', 'Vo Saat Din','Naram Garam','Malmasala' 'So din Saas Ke', ' Bhayanak' and 'Garibo ka Data' among others.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>Phule, who was also known for his social activism, has left an indelible mark on Marathi stage.<br /><br /></span></p>.<p><span>A recipient of many awards, Phule worked hard to promote the interests of folk artistes in various branches of the traditional art forms.<br /><br /></span></p>.<span>In Vijay Tendulkar's controversial drama 'Sakaharam Binder' staged in 1972, he played the protagonist with a bold projection of social aberrations that invited wrath of the puritans who staged protests against it.</span>
