March 14, 2017
The cremation took place in Wada in Nashik. His family members,
including wife Pankaja Thakur, and some of his industry friends like Rajpal
Yadav and Mohit Madaan were present there.
Born and brought up in Delhi,
Narendra also featured in films like "Mohenjo Daro" and "Kaabil". He worked with
iconic filmmaker Shyam Benegal for the film "Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The
Forgotten Hero" and television series "Samvidhaan".
His other TV credits
include "Shanti", "Ithihass", "Captain House", "Begusarai" and "Chhoona Hai
Aasmaan".
Narendra's role in "Haider" as Shahid Kapoor's father was
widely lauded, and he essayed Musabhai in "Raees".
One of the last
dialogues the actor delivered on-screen was: "Life is unpredictable. Who knows
about the next Friday?" He sad this in "2016 - The End", which released towards
the end of last year.
He was signed up for the upcoming Salman Khan
starrer "Race 3" among other projects. He had recently shot for director Awani
Agrawal's tentatively titled "De Ijaazat Rahun Tujhme".
Agrawal told IANS
that Narendra was fine while shooting for the film in Gujarat earlier this
month.
Mohit, who worked with Narendra in the film, said: "I will always
remember our final conversation on the night before he left for home where he
found me lost in my own world sitting in the lawn. He sat with me on the grass
and we ate dinner together from one plate.
"There was an instant
attachment and he motivated me to continue as an actor."
Some film
fraternity members were in disbelief.
"Kaabil" director Sanjay Gupta
tweeted: "I refuse to accept it. Life cannot be so damn unpredictable. I just
met a hale and hearty Narendra Jha at the park last week.
"And now I'm
hearing he passed away this morning. Such a splendid actor and a marvellous
human being. Rest in peace my friend. May God bless your soul."
Hrithik
Roshan, the lead star of "Kaabil", said: "He was a dream to work with. What an
actor. This is absolutely shocking. Narendra Jha, you will be so missed."
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta found the news a "shocker", and commented: "This
profession is truly a killer."
Actor Rohit Roy called him one of the
"sweetest, most respectful and soft spoken actors around", while Narendra's
"Ghayal Once Again" co-star Tisca Chopra said he was a "fine person and actor".
For Ekta Kapoor too, he was one of the finest actors she worked with.
Milap Zaveri was looking forward to shoot with Narendra next month for a
project.
"Still can't believe it," he said.