Actor Rasik Dave’s positive smile, made me cast him as ‘Vasudeva’ in TV show ‘Geeta Rahasya’, “ recalls co-star-director Nitish ( ‘Krishna’) Bharadwaj

Eminent theatre, TV and film actor Rasik Dave ( 65) who passed away last Friday apparently owing to a critical kidney ailment was modest, lively and frank by nature - Chaitanya Padukone

Happily married to noted theatre, TV and film actress Ketaki Dave, for past 40 years, popular Rasik-bhai ( as we called him) used to share a warm personal rapport with me. After making his debut in Gujarati movies, he went on later to be popularly known for his memorable role of ‘Nand-Baba’ in B R Chopra-saab’s mytho-magnum-opus TV drama ‘Mahabharat’.

Going into a memory-flashback I still fondly recall that unassuming Rasik-bhai contacted me to be interviewed for Mid-Day newspaper just before the release of his film ‘Jhoothi’( 1985) directed by Hrishikesh Mukherji, where he plays a striking character-role.

For the talented jovial-natured Rasik, it was a major break-thru working with legendary director Hrishi-da and with co-actors like Rekha ( title-role ) and Raj Babbar, We kept in regular touch after that and I used to meet him at ‘Mahabharat’ TV show media-events or at drama-plays performances. Then I reconnected with Rasik during the outdoor location shoot of Zee TV serial ‘Aisi Deewangi, Dekhi Nahin Kahin’(2017).

Few years ago, I recall personally meeting and chatting with Rasik-bhai and his wife Ketaki Dave, where they both personally came to watch Nitish Bhardwaj’s ‘Chakravyuh’ the popular mytho-drama at a Bandra auditorium.

They were specially invited by their good friend eminent versatile actor-producer-director Nitish who is highly acclaimed for his brilliant authentic portrayal of revered deity ‘Lord Sri Krishna’.

Being aware of their friendship, I contacted Nitish Bharadwaj who exclusively spoke to me and said he was “shocked and deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Rasik-bhai.

Really wish I knew that he was ailing-- I would have at least visited him once and spoken to him”, laments Nitish who besides being his co-actor in ‘Mahabharat’ had also cast him and Ketaki in his own mytho-production.

Going down memory lane, multi-faceted Nitish recalls, “ Way back in 1999 I had produced directed and acted in TV mytho-show ‘Geeta Rahasya’ which was telecast on Doordarshan.

Besides being a competent actor Rasik always wore this positive,benign smile ( just like my charismatic Krishna character). And that’s how I cast him as Vasudeva ( actual father of ‘Sri Krishna’ ) .

While Ketaki was given the role of ‘Draupadi’ in the initial part. So involved, committed, helpful and caring was Rasik in our project that he also suggested some good actors to me for various roles. We shared a warm bonding all thru,” recalls Bharadwaj who also sentimentally connected with the ‘late’ actor because of his certain qualities.

Meanwhile, wife Ketaki has clarified to the media, "Being a very private person Rasik never wanted to talk about his illness. So, we never shared about his deteriorating health with anyone. He was a very private person and somehow believed that all will be fine,”.

Explains Nitish, “ By nature, Rasik-bhai was very straightforward, simple and genuine. There was that well-meaning goodwill that he always exuded . It’s difficult to find such straightforward persons.

There are some names which tend to have a frown recall-value and there are those few names which when you hear, bring an instant smile to your face.And Rasik’s name will always makes me smile.

Allow me to extend my heartfelt condolences to Ketaki and Rasik’s entire family and of course also to the entire Gujarati theatre fraternity. We have all lost a gem of a man and an amazing actor,” asserts Nitish in an emotionally tinged voice.