You may remember him for his portrayal of the strict yet endearing engineering professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster 3 Idiots. Veteran Marathi actor Achyut Potdar played several minor yet significant characters in films in the last few decades. (Image: Instagram)
He passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025. He was 91. The actor breathed his last at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, where he had been admitted due to health complications. The exact cause of his death has not been revealed. His funeral will take place on August 19 in Thane. (Image: IMDb)
Did you know that before making his mark in cinema, Achyut Potdar served in the Indian Armed Forces. He retired as a captain in 1967. (Image: IMDb)
He later worked with Indian Oil Company as an executive for a period of nearly 25 years and retired at the age of 58 in 1992. (Image: Instagram)
While working at IOC, Potdar would take part in plays. Eventually, his passion for acting led him to films and television in the 1980s, paving the way for a prolific career that spanned more than four decades. (Image: Instagram)
Potdar acted in over 125 films across Hindi and Marathi cinema. His filmography includes critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles such as Aakrosh, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai, Ardh Satya, Tezaab, Parinda, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Dilwale, Rangeela, Vaastav, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Dabangg 2 and Ventilator. (Image: Instagram)
He became a household name with his portrayal of the strict yet endearing engineering professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster 3 Idiots. His dialogue “kya baat hai” became an iconic pop culture reference, still widely used on social media and in memes today. (Image: Instagram)
Apart from films, Potdar also made his presence felt on television. He appeared in popular shows like Wagle Ki Duniya, Majha Hoshil Na, Mrs Tendulkar, and Bharat Ki Khoj. His versatility allowed him to move seamlessly between stage, TV, and cinema, earning him respect across the industry. (Image: Instagram)
