Mumbai: Multi-faceted Marathi and Hindi actor Atul Parchure passed away of cancer on Monday at age 57.

The actor with a dimpled smile had a flair for comedy, and his presence ensured the promise of a few laughs. His repertoire extended across theatre, cinema and television. Parchure featured in ‘Billu’ with Shah Rukh Khan, ‘Partner’ with Salman Khan and ‘All The Best’ with Ajay Devgn apart from ‘Amhi Satpute’, ‘Conditions Apply’, ‘Navra Maza Navsacha’, ‘Nati Goti’, ‘All The Best’, ‘Khatta Meetha’, ‘Style’, ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, ‘RK Laxman Ki Duniya’ and ‘Yam Hain Hum’.

CM Eknath Shinde, actor Supriya Pilgaonkar, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and MLA Rais Shaikh mourned his passing. Actor Jaywant Wadkar said Parchure was slated to appear in Sunil Barve’s Marathi play ‘Suryachi Pillay’. They were rehearsing together when he was hospitalised five days ago. Shinde tweeted, “The untimely death of Atul Parchure is painful...This loss is not recoverable.”

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Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Monday expressed grief over veteran Marathi actor Atul Parchure's death.

Parchure, 57, who was also known for his work in The Kapil Sharma Show passed away on Monday. However, the reason behind his death is yet to be revealed.

In post on X in Marathi, CM Shinde wrote, "The sudden passing of versatile actor Atul Parchure has left fans in deep sorrow. Known for his ability to make audiences laugh heartily or bring tears to their eyes, Parchure had a remarkable career in the performing arts."

He wrote, "Starting from children's theater, Atul Parchure made his mark in plays, films, and television series. He showcased his talent in various productions, including "Tarun Turk," "Mhatre Arka," and "Nati Goti." His performances were enriched with the wit and humor reminiscent of renowned writer P. L. Deshpande."

Parchure played memorable roles in both Marathi and Hindi films, establishing himself as a significant figure in the industry. His untimely departure is a great loss for Marathi theater and cinema, and it feels irreplaceable.

"As one of his many fans, I extend my condolences to his family during this difficult time. May they find strength to cope with this profound loss. I pay my respects to Atul Parchure on behalf of the state government. Om Shanti," CM Shinde stated.

Actor Supriya Pilgaonkar took to her Instagram to pay her last respects to the actor in a post. She said, “Dear friend you shouldn't have been like this, you fought a lot! You have tolerated a lot. You will always be missed. Your silly smile will always be missed. May your soul rest in peace and the strength to endure the pain of the family..”

Atul Parchure was also widely known for his work in the Bollywood films like 'Partner' starring Salman Khan and 'All The Best'. Atul Parchure starred in films such as Shah Rukh Khan’s 'Billu', Salman Khan’s 'Partner', and Ajay Devgn’s 'All The Best'.

Atul, who had also battled cancer, opened up about his health last year. In July 2023, he revealed that due to receiving the wrong treatment, his condition worsened, and he couldn’t walk or talk for a while. In an interview, he shared that he learned about his cancer diagnosis after returning to the country from celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary.

“I had completed 25 years of my marriage. I was fine when we went to Australia and New Zealand. But after a few days, I wasn’t able to eat anything. I felt nauseous and knew something was wrong. My brother later gave me some medicine, but they didn’t help. After visiting many doctors, I was asked to get ultrasonography done. When the doctor did it, I saw fear in his eyes, and I felt something was wrong. I was told I had a tumor about 5 centimeters long in my liver, and it was cancerous. I asked him whether I would recover or not, and he said, ‘Yes, you will,’" he said in a conversation with 'India Today'.

At the time, Atul added that he was misdiagnosed, which led to further health complications. The actor said, “My first procedure after being diagnosed went wrong. My pancreas got affected, and I started having issues. The wrong treatment actually worsened my condition. I couldn’t even walk. I used to fumble while talking. In such a condition, the doctor asked me to wait for one and a half months. They said if they did the surgery, I’d get jaundice for years, my liver would be watery, or I wouldn’t survive. Later, I changed doctors and took proper medication and chemotherapy.”

Actor Atul Parchure, 56, recently spoke on a talk show that he was diagnosed with cancer and is currently going through treatment. The All The Best (2009) actor tells us that his last cycle of chemotherapy “will end this month”. “I am close to being a cancer free person,” he boasts.

After a month-long of symptoms when Atul reached out to the doctors in December, he got to know that he had cancer. “I had the confidence that I would get out of this. I never even bothered to ask which stage of cancer I had. I never felt the danger that I would die,” he tells. In the process, Atul lost 20 Kgs due to the ailment. “I didn’t feel bad that I lost weight, I know I can gain it back,” he says.

The past eight months have been “difficult” for Atul and the family – comprising his mother, daughter and wife, whom he calls his “three pillars”. In the meantime, Atul was certain that he didn’t want the world to know about his condition. “It’s my battle, why to involve others in it? Now I can talk about it as we are almost through it,” he says. While he was battling the big C in the hospital, there were a few murmurs that did knock his door. He shares, “When I was in hospital, there were rumours that I only had six months left. But they never bothered me. People talk anything on WhatsApp university.”

The R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya actor admits that “it was easy” for him to accept the cancer. “I was mentally prepared that something was wrong with me,” he recalls. While he had a positive attitude, not having work did give him “sleepless nights”.

“Aisa nahi hai ki bure khyaal dimaag mein nahi aaye. I had so many sleepless nights, thinking about when I will resume work. On the one hand the income stopped, and the expenditure started. And the outflow of money for cancer is tremendous. Which is why it is important to have Mediclaim. I was partly saved by my Mediclaim, and partly by my savings, otherwise it would have been very difficult. Also, I did not feel dejected. My family never treated me like a patient,” he elaborates.

Atul, who was a regular in The Kapil Sharma Show, lost a few months of shoot. However, he tells us that for the last episodes of the season, he shot in the month of June while still recuperating from the disease. “Kapil knew about my condition, and he said we will welcome your comeback,” the actor adds.

Currently resting, Atul proudly boasts, “I fought the battle bravely.”

Actor Atul Parchure, who has been a part of The Kapil Sharma Show for many years, recently revealed he is suffering from cancer. The 56-year-old is currently undergoing treatment for the health condition, which was diagnosed when a tumour was found in his liver.

Prachure tells us he has already received five months of initial treatment and “the imminent danger is over” now. The actor also expresses gratitude towards all those who have been showering him with love. “Only when you are unwell do you realize how many people love you. Meri family ab 100 logon ki hai,” he says.

The Jago Mohan Pyaare actor decided to speak about his illness to spread awareness. “I want people to know about the importance of health insurance. There are so many who feel it is not needed. I was able to pay my hospital bills through insurance and my savings,” he states. 

Keeping an optimistic view of life the actor shares, “I feel like life is about good and bad days. You have to face everything in equal measure.” Prachure is now looking forward to working again. “Hopefully, in August, I will be back on set,” he ends.