Veteran actor-writer-director Neeraj Vora dies at 54

Veteran theatre personality and film actor-director-writer Neeraj Vora died early today in Mumbai aged 54. He had been in a coma for a year. After his condition worsened last night, he was taken to a hospital in Juhu where he breathed his last.

Last year, Vora suffered a heart attack followed by a stroke. He remained in a coma ever since. Producer and close friend Firoz Nadiadwala came to his rescue and took him to his home where he created a makeshift ICU.

Confirming the news, actor Paresh Rawal, who was also Vora's friend, wrote on his Twitter page, “Neeraj Vora, the writer and director of Phir Hera Pheri (2006) and many hit films is no more ... Aum Shanti.”

Vora started his theatre journey during his college days. His first break as an actor came in Ketan Mehta’s critically acclaimed Holi (1984), which also had Aamir Khan in the cast.

He went on to star in a number of well-known films like Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Daud (1997), Virasat (1997), Satya (1998), Mann (1999), Baadshah (1999), Company (2002) and Bol Bachchan (2012). He was last seen in Welcome Back (2015).

As a writer too, Vora has an impressive body of work. He penned hit films like Rangeela (1995), Baadshah (1999), Hera Pheri (2000), Josh (2000), Ajnabee (2001), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Garam Masala (2005), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Bhool Bhulaiya (2007), and Golmaal Returns (2008).

Phir Hera Pheri (2006) is one of the few films he also directed.

Vora’s cremation will take place today afternoon at Santa Cruz.