Actor Rajendra Nath passes away

Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Rajendra Nath, popular Hindi film comedian of the 1960s and 1970s who was better known as Popatlal, died late Wednesday at his home here. He was 78.

Rajendra Nath, who had essayed comic roles in almost all movies starring Shammi Kapoor of the 60s, was ailing for a long time. He breathed his last in his Khar home in northwest Mumbai.

He had acted in many films in Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and also in South Indian movies.

Rajendra Nath got a break with a small comic role in I.S. Johar's 'Hum Sab Chor Hain' (1956), with Shammi Kapoor and Nalini Jaywant in the lead.

He played the role of a buffoon called Popatlal in 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', and the character became so popular that it soon became synonymous with the actor.