In a career spanning decades, Ramesh Deo etched his name in gold with appearances in 285 Hindi films and nearly 190 Marathi ones, plus hundreds of commercials. Hailing from Kolhapur, born January 30, 1929, Deo’s entry into films was nothing short of serendipitous. At a horse racing event with his brother, he aided director Raja Paranjpe in securing a victory, earning an immediate film offer that launched his illustrious journey.

Kicking off with a small role in ‘Patalchi Por’, Deo quickly rose to prominence with his lead in 1956’s ‘Andhala Magto Ek Dola’. Venturing into Bollywood, ‘Aarti’ in 1962 marked his Hindi debut, followed by iconic turns in ‘Anand’ with Amitabh Bachchan, ‘Aap Ki Kasam’ opposite Rajesh Khanna, and ‘Mere Apne’ with Shatrughan Sinha. He shared memorable moments with powerhouses like Dharmendra and Hema Malini.

Deo’s versatility shone in over 250 TV ads, embedding his image in every Indian home, and in Marathi theater where he won hearts. His personal life mirrored professional success; wedding co-star Seema Deo in 1962 after sparks flew on ‘Vardakshina’, they acted together often. Sons Ajinkya (actor) and Abhinav (director) uphold the Deo banner.

The 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at Pune International Film Festival crowned his achievements. Deo drew his last breath on February 2, 2022, aged 93, at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. His departure cast a pall over cinema and theater circles, yet his timeless performances continue to resonate, a testament to a life fully lived in the arts.