Veteran Bollywood actor Chandrashekhar Vaidya popularly known with his screen name Chandrashekhar is no more. He passed away today at the age of 98. Chandrashhekhar was suffering from age related ailments and had retired from acting field in the year 2000 after appearing in the film ‘Khauff’ at the age of 78.
Chandrashekhar
Chandrashekhar was born in Hyderbad and moved to Mumbai during early 1940s. His biggest asset was a diploma in Western dancing from UK. It was on the recommendation of singer Shamshad Begum he found his first job in 1948 with Shalimar studios in Pune. He appeared in about 250 films during his long career. His first film as a hero was Producer V.Shantaram’s film ‘Surang’. He also produced, directed and acted in the lead role in his hit musical film ‘Cha Cha Cha’, which was also the first film of Helen in a lead role.
After 1968, Chandrashekar shifted to character roles. He was a regular character actor in many films of Shakti Samanta including those with popular star of that period rajesh Khanna in films like Kati Patang, Ajnabee, Mehbooba and Alag Alag. He also assisted Gulzar in direction in his films ‘Parichay’,’Koshish’,’Achanak’,’Aandhi’,’Khushboo’,’ and ‘Mausam’ during 70s . He also served in different capacities as President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, All India Film Employees Confederation, trustee of Cine Artistes Welfare Fund of India and Cine Artiste Welfare Trust, Vice-President of Indian Film Directors Association, associated as Member with Film Writers Association, Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association.
Chandrashekhar’s son Ashok Shekhar is a known television producer and also runs an events and celeb management company. His grandson Shakti Arora is an actor.