Veteran actor Ghanashyam Nayak, who is best known for his role as Nattu Kaka on the popular sitcom ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah‘, died on Sunday following a long battle with cancer, leaving his fans heartbroken. 

“He passed away today evening. He wasn’t keeping well for a long time. He had cancer. He always wanted to keep shooting. Even though he was unwell, work would always make him happy. I would look for opportunities to get him on the show. But it had become difficult for him to shoot. For the last two days he was extremely unwell,” TMKOC producer Asit Kumarr Modi said, PTI reported. 

Following his demise, several of the actor’s fans paid tributes to him on social media. 

“Nattu Kaka

is no more…This sentence is really hard to believe. One of the most important character of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma. May his soul rest in peace,” one person wrote. 

“Since childhood I grew up watching Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chasma,everyday after school I love to watch TMKOC on TV directly,Nattu Kaka’s character was really so captivating and cute.Nattu kaka’s that seth ji seth ji will be remembered a lot. we will miss you so much,” another person commented.

“You will be missed alot Nattu Kaka. There’s no day when I dnt sit together with family and have lunch & dinner watching TMKOC..
this is so heartbreaking news for TMKOC fans, nobody could replace you in show!
Thank you for entertaining us, May your soul Rest In Peace,” another user wrote. 

Ghanashyam Nayak, who was in his late 70s, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. His health deteriorated in the past few days.

The actor has nearly 100 Hindi and Gujarati films to his credit, apart from featuring on more than 300 TV serials. He is survived by his wife and three children.