Veteran actor, producer, and director Dheeraj Kumar passed away today at the age of 79. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri after being diagnosed with acute pneumonia.

His son Ashutosh was by his side when he passed. His death has left the film and television industry in deep mourning.

Creative Eye founder passes away at Kokilaben Hospital

Born Dheeraj Kochar on October 1, 1944, he began his career in the 1960s and made his film debut in Raaton Ka Raja (1970). Over the next two decades, he appeared in several Hindi films including Deedar, Heera Panna (1973), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Swami (1977), Sargam (1979), Kranti (1981), Bezubaan, Shreeman Shreemati, and Souten Ki Beti. Dheeraj Kumar also had a prolific career in Punjabi cinema with more than 21 films to his credit, including Daaj, Do Posti, Sher Puttar, and Sarpanch.

Bollywood and TV Mourn loss of Multi-Talented Dheeraj Kumar

In 1986, Dheeraj Kumar founded his production house, Creative Eye Limited, and shifted his focus to television. He went on to create, direct, or produce several iconic Indian TV serials. His most celebrated work remains the mythological epic Om Namah Shivay (1997–1998). Other major productions included Shree Ganesh, Jap Tap Vrat, Vishnu Puran, Adalat, Miilee, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann, Doli Saja Ke, Neem Neem Shahad Shahad, Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam, Bhagwan Das Bhakti Main, and Ishq Subhan Allah. His contribution to devotional and family dramas earned him a respected space in Indian television history.

Despite receiving intensive care, Dheeraj Kumar could not recover. He is survived by his wife, Zubi Kochhar, and son, Ashutosh. A true multi-talented visionary, his decades-spanning work has left a legacy that shaped both Bollywood and Indian television storytelling.