Mumbai’s film world lost a true legend when Ramesh Deo bid farewell, leaving behind a staggering legacy of over 285 Hindi films and 190 Marathi movies. Born on January 30, 1929, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Deo’s tryst with cinema began in the most unexpected way. Accompanying his elder brother to a horse race, he crossed paths with Marathi director Raja Paranjpe. Deo’s lucky intervention helped Paranjpe win the race, prompting the director to cast him on the spot in his debut film.
Deo’s first brush with the silver screen was a cameo in the Marathi film ‘Patalchi Por’. By 1956, he had stepped into the lead role in ‘Andhala Magto Ek Dola’, captivating audiences with his magnetic presence. His transition to Hindi cinema came with the 1962 release of ‘Aarti’. From there, he became a familiar face alongside giants like Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Anand’, Rajesh Khanna in ‘Aap Ki Kasam’, and Shatrughan Sinha in ‘Mere Apne’. His collaborations with Dharmendra and Hema Malini further solidified his stardom.
Beyond the big screen, Deo’s influence extended to over 250 advertisements that made his visage a household name across India. He also shone brightly on stage, performing in numerous Marathi plays that endeared him to theater enthusiasts. Married to actress Seema Deo, whom he met on the sets of ‘Vardakshina’ in 1962, the couple shared screen space in several films, delighting fans with their on-screen chemistry. Their sons, Ajinkya Deo, a noted Marathi actor, and Abhinav Deo, a film director, carry forward the family legacy.
Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Pune International Film Festival in 2013, Deo’s contributions were immense. He passed away on February 2, 2022, at the age of 93 in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. The industry mourned deeply, but his body of work—spanning films, ads, and theater—ensures his magic endures, inspiring generations of artistes in both Hindi and Marathi cinema.