February 19, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away on 18 February 2010 following a cardiac arrest. According to family sources Nirmal was not keeping well for some time, still this has come as a shock to them.
A graduate from the prestigious National School of Drama, the actor did his schooling in Almora and Nainital, Uttarakhand. He first shot to fame as Vikram Mallah in Shekhar Kapur's much acclaimed Bandit Queen (1996). Nirmal was much appreciated in Amol Palekar's Daayara where he played the role of a transvestite and Sudhir Mishra’s Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, One 2 ka 4 and Shikari, where he established himself as an actor par excellence.
Apart from films Nirmal has also acted in several television serials, including Hatim, Raajkumar Aaryyan, Shhh… Phir Koi Hai and Princess Dollie Aur Uska Magic Bag. In addition to being a good actor, Nirmal was also a versatile singer and had released an album called ‘Jazba’. Nirmal’s last release was the Telugu film Kedi. Shekhar Kapur remembers Nirmal as ‘A terrific actor and human being who had yet to achieve his full potential’.
Nirmal, who was 48 year old at the time of his death, breathed his last at Mumbai's Holy Spirit hospital. He is survived by his wife Archana and two children.
