'Sholay's Kalia passes away

Veteran actor of Marathi and Hindi films Viju Khote, who was popular for his Kalia character from the 1975 cult classic 'Sholay' is no more. He was 78.

Viju passed away early on Monday, family sources said. He is survived by his actor sister Shubha Khote, who was elder to him by five years.

Their father Nandu Khote was a noted stage actor too, and he worked in movies during the silent era.

Viju Khote made his big screen debut with 'Ya Malak' in 1964 and went on to do some of the most remembered characters in the Hindi film industry.

In a career spanning almost six decades, Viju worked in over 300 films, including 'Phir Hera Pheri,' 'Andaz Apna Apna' from the modern era besides some television shows and ads.