Well-known broadcaster, actor and theatre director Upinder Khashu passed away on Tuesday at a Gurugram hospital after a brief illness. Khashu, 70, is survived by his wife, Girija Khashu Watal, also a noted broadcaster of All India Radio (AIR), and two daughters.
Srinagar-born Khashu was a news reader in Urdu and Kashmiri on the erstwhile Radio Kashmir until 1990 when he was migrated to migrate to Delhi during onset of militancy in Kashmir.
Khashu became a household name in Kashmir after playing a key role in tele-serial ‘Chauraha’ (crossroads) in the mid-1980s.
He gained national prominence with a powerful performance in hit serial ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfaam’, telecast in 1987 by Doordarshan. It was one of the first serials based in Kashmir and portrayed camaraderie between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims.
In his later years, Khashu wrote and directed Kashmiri plays that were staged in Mumbai, Delhi and Jammu.A celebrated stage, TV and film actor, he started his career as a stage artiste at Vasant theatre as a colleague of Ashok Jailkhani.
He worked in hundreds of plays and serials and in some feature films as well. His last directorial venture, ‘Wasa’, was staged in Jammu two years ago.
With his metallic voice and dashing looks Late Upinder Khushoo had made his mark at the very outset of his career more than four decades back. He was simultaneously popular in all the three mediums Radio ,Stage and films Television. In his death Kashmir cultural scenario has lost an icon from whom much more was expected. He left too early but destiny has its own Dateline which no one can change.Prayers for peace to his soul and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I am personally grieved on his sad departure and my colleagues Adbee Markaz Kamraz,who admired him for his contribution to the preservation of our mother tongue kashmiri,through his artistic endeavours join me in expressing their grief and extending condolences to the bereaved family, M. Amin Bhat,President,Adbee Markaz Kamraz
We at Kashmir Film Society condole the sad demise of Upender Khusu , The death of an artist evokes powerful emotions in the living, even as it crystallizes the deceased’s contributions to the art world. It is a great loss for the art & culture of UT.We also express our sympathies with the Khushu family especially his wife Smt.Girija wattal: Mushtaq Bala
Each and every artist of the Association was shocked to hear that our veteran artist Opinder Khushu has breathed his last in Delhi.Opinder Khushu was a brilliant artist having great sense of humour and a down to earth human being. We all stand with the bereaved family and pray that may God bless the noble soul with peace and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss :Tariq Javaid, President ,J&K Radio and Doordarshan Performing Artists and Freelance Producers and Directors Association.
Very very sad Heart broken. We were neighbours in downtown Srinagar (Ali Kadal). New each other from teen age. I got him into theatre in early seventies and he did a couple of plays with me. A very pleasant person with a great sense of humour. May him rest in peace.Om Shanti: ASHOK JAILKHANI
‘Swargiya Opinder Khushu Ji’ was a Veteran Broadcaster and an Actor.He was my senior co-actor.Other than being an Announcer in the All India Radio, he was really a versatile actor of stage, radio and television.I could not get a chance to work with him on stage because when I started doing stage, he had already left it.I worked with him in Radio and Television only. We have done several significant projects together.We also worked together in a few serials in Mumbai.I was closely associated with him. Although he was senior to me but he was very friendly with me. He was a jolly person with a good sense of humor. He was fond of making fun out of any situation.We have lost a lively and a gentle human being.May the departed soul rest in peace. : Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan.
Upender Khushu is no more ; A presenter, announcer with Radio Kashmir Srinagar,a TV actor and a theatrist. He was a great human being. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Girja Watal, also a presenter with Radio and also with Raka and Nippo their children.“Opinderji worked at Radio Kashmir Srinagar till migration. Was a nice man and a jolly colleague in Announcers Cadre. To lose a colleague really saddens but the reality is that we have to cherish it. After migration he worked at AIR Delhi in many capacities”, Former ADG Doordarshan and Secretary Cultural Academy Dr.Rafeeq Masoodi has condoled the sad demise and termed it a great loss for the art & culture of state.He also has expressed his sympathies with the Khushu family especially his wife Smt.Girija wattal: Dr. Rafique Masoodi
I have spent a good time with Upender Khashu in beginning of our career in television. He was very close to me we have worked together in a serial.He was a great broadcaster also. When he shifted from Maharaja Gunj to Bhagat Barzalla we used to spend a lot of time together and visited each other’s home frequently during that time. He was down to earth, very friendly ,having tremendous sense of humour. I have lost a good friend, a brother . May his soul rest in peace and give strength to his family to bear this loss especially to bhabhi Girja ji, Zamir Ashie.
Lost a great friend fine human being and a genius artist.May his soul rest in peace.: Ayash Arif
A great noble soul, a broadcaster, actor, writer, director has left us untimely from this world. A big shock and tragedy to artist fraternity. You shall always remain in our hearts Upinder. I have lots of his memories while sharing our room for almost one month together in 1990 at Mumbai flat provided by Cinevistsa adds during the shooting of GUL GULSHAN GULFAM.He was playing a parallel role to Parikhshit Sahni as his friend Narayan Joo: Vinay Raina
Opender Khushu was a soft spoken person a noble heart and down to earth. When I passed my audition in DDK in 1979 he is the man who encouraged me a lot and advised me to come radio Kashmir to get audition form. Almighty bless his soul.: Javid Geelani
OMG, saddening and shocking.He was cultured , loving and a great soul. May god rest his soul in eternal peace.: Yousuf Bhat
May his soul rest in peace. Was my neighbour at Parreypora Srinagar and remember him as a well dressed Gentleman,sober with extremely refined mannerism.: Shafaqat Habib
The demise of Opender ji heart wrench. An associate of our youth, great friend, an artist of par excellence. Opender ji’s demise is that a vacuum, which shall remain always.Moksha to his soul. Opender Khashu , you will be remembered every time: Kamal Razdan
Very sad and Shocking passing of UPENDER KHASHU a legendary Actor, writer Director, well known broadcaster & good friend expired today in Fortis after great struggle…My association with him was during theatre days 1969 & after.I have fine memories when we travelled Mumbai together for the serial Gul Gulshan Gulfam we stayed in Mumbai together & came back to Srinagar together in 1990 when there was peak in militancy & migration too.Prayer for the noble soul to Aum Sadgati : Bihari Kak
Extremely sad to know about this depressing news. Opinder ji was a friend, an associate since long. We did a couple of serials in Delhi where he carved a respectable place for himself. His passion for theatre was immense and continued to perform plays in Delhi. His loss has created a vacuum in our artist fraternity. May Shiva bestow Moksha to his soul and courage to his family to bear this loss. Om Shanti: Suraj Raina.
A great person, friendly with all. Saddened and shocked to hear all of a sudden that he us no more. Couldn’t believe. But ……fact…… He was a noble human being and a versatile actor. I remember the famous serial “Chaurah “ he was playing Seth Amjad and I played as Jojo, rivals with each other in serial.I found him very sober, kind hearted and friendly with all.May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.I pray the god to bestow courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss : G.M Wani
My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace. Sadgati prevails : Muzamil Bin Khurshed
