Mumbai:
Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar, known for playing villainous roles in films, was attacked by some men at Versova in Mumbai this afternoon. The incident took place after he protested against wastage of water for Holi celebrations.
Mr Amrapurkar said, "When I stopped them, they told me this is our private property and we can do whatever we like. Who are you to stop us? Five to six men came and surrounded me. They were drunk. I tried to scream but I could not do anything. No one from my society came out to help."
A complaint has been lodged with the Versova police station and a case has been registered.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Tsering Dorjee said, "In the FIR it has been mentioned that some people from the neighbouring society came and assaulted Sadashiv Amrapurkar and a cameraperson. Police will verify the details of the case."
Mr Amrapurkar stays in a housing society Versova. When he noticed his neighbouring housing society members wasting water during Holi he reportedly informed a local TV channel. This allegedly angered a few residents of the neighbouring housing society and they assaulted him.
This is on a day when many Mumbaikars opted for a dry Holi, keeping the drought situation in the state in mind. "Rain dance" which is a regular feature at most Holi celebrations, was avoided as it consumes a lot of water.
Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films. He has won a Filmfare Award for 'Best Performance in a Negative Role' in 1991 for Sadak, in which he played a eunuch.
Born as Ganesh Kumar Narwode to an auto driver in Nasik in 1956, he adopted the name Sadashiv in 1974. He was cast in 'Ardh Satya' by director Govind Nihalani as the villain.