Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar assaulted

Actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar is best known for his comedy and negative roles in some of the leading hits of Bollywood. In 1991, he had won the award for “The best performance in a negative role” for playing a villainous eunuch in the film ‘Sadak’. However, the roles were reversed as the veteran actor was assaulted on Wednesday by the residents of his neighboring Housing Society.
Amrapurkar lives in Versova in the Panchadhara building at Yari Road, Andheri (West). At around 2 pm, he was giving an interview to a reporter of TV9 regarding the issue of wastage of water and the importance of celebrating dry Holi in view of the fact that the state is going through its worst draught in recent years. The actor talked about the futility of the efforts of water conservation. As an example, he cited the Rain dance going on in the neighboring housing society, the Panchavati Building. The Rain Dance is a traditional part of Holi. The reporter decided to film the dance on camera.
Around 5 pm, the reporter and his cameraperson went to film the rain dance. The residents of that Housing Society objected to the filming and allegedly assaulted the cameraperson. It was at this time that Amrapurkar intervened, but he too did not escape the ire of the residents. His daughter Ketaki said, “When my father intervened, they hurled obscenities at him and manhandled him as well”.
A report has been filed with the Versova Police regarding this assault. According to the police, the Rain Dance had been going on from 10 am till 5 pm when the incident occurred. The police said, “We have registered a case against under relevant sections of the IPC. We are in the process of identifying the accused.” At present, a case of rioting and assault has been filed against five unidentified persons. Amrapurkar also said that he was surrounded and assaulted by five ‘drunk’ persons but nobody from his own Housing Society came to his aid.
However, Bollywood has tweeted in great support of the veteran actor. Manoj Bajpayee wrote, “What! Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar beaten up for protesting against wastage of water. This is intolerable. Action must be taken right now." Oscar wining sound mixer Resul Pookutty tweeted “Assault on actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar on Holi is completely condemnable. Hope police takes action when they are not being assaulted by MLA’s.”