Thane: Veteran actor Kishore Nandlaskar (81), who was battling Coronavirus, died in Thane on Tuesday.

He was admitted to Global Hospital, Thane, last Wednesday after he developed breathing complications since testing positive for the virus. He breathed his last around 12.30 pm on Tuesday, said sources from the Marathi film industry.

Nandlaskar was a popular face in Marathi as well as Hindi movies. His acting credits included the films Khakee, Vaastav, Singham, Jis Desh Me Ganga Rehta Hain, Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar and Hulchul.

He was born in Mumbai, but had his roots in a village near Kharepatan in the Konkan. He started his career with theatre and also extended his acting chops to TV soaps, though it was his role in the film Vaastav that brought him fame.

As news of his death spread, rich tributes from the film world and beyond poured in including from actors Prasad Oak and Siddharth Jadhav. Director Viju Mane said Nandlaskar was extremely polite and also happy-go-lucky.

"In one movie, we had a dance sequence with other veteran actors Ramesh Deo and Viju Khote," Mane said. "He (Nandlaskar) took me aside and asked the age of (Deo) who was then 80. He (Nandlaskar) held my hand and with tears in his eyes asked if I would also make a song with him when he would turn 80! His words echo repeatedly in my mind now that he is no more.”