Actor Chandrakant Pandya, who is best known for playing the role of Nishad Raj on the iconic television show Ramayan, passed away on Thursday. He was 72. The news of the veteran actor's demise was confirmed by his co-star Dipika Chikhlia, who played the role of Sita in the mythological show. Sharing a photo of the late actor on her Instagram Story, Dipika wrote, "#RIP @Chandrakant Pandya - Nishad of Ramayan." Chandrakant portrayed the role of Lord Ram's childhood friend Nishad Raj on Ramayan, which aired on Doordarshan between 1987 and 1988. Outside of his work on the epic television series, he has also appeared in ventures like Chundadi Ni Laaj, Hote Hote Pyar Hogaya, Prem Lagna, Parivaar Na Pankhi, Pyar Ho Gaya, including a few Gujarati films.

Earlier this month, actor Arvind Trivedi, who played the role of Ravan in Ramayan died after he suffered a heart attack. Actor Sunil Lahiri, who announced the death of Arvind Trivedi's death, paid his respects and wrote, "Bahut dukhad Samachar hai ki Hamare Sabke Pyare Arvind bhai (Ravan of Ramayan) Ab Hamare bich Nahin Rahe Bhagwan Unki Atma ko Shanti De (This is an extremely sad news. Our dear Arvind Bhai is no longer with us. May God give peace to his departed soul). I am speechless I lost father figure my guide well wisher and gentleman."

Ramayan was first telecast on Doordarshan in 1987 and aired once again during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown last year. Created and directed by Ramanand Sagar, the series' re-telecast went on to earn record TRPs and registered the highest-ever rating for a Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) TV show since 2015.