Gora villain Bob Christo dies of heart attack in Bangalore

Australia-born Bollywood actor Bob Christo, who had played villain in Amitabh Bachchan's Namak Halal, died of a massive heart attack in Bangalore on Sunday. The 72-year old was admitted to Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research he complained of chest pain on Saturday morning. But the Gora villain of 1980s breathed his last following the cardiac rupture.

Talking to media, director Dr CN Manjunath of Jayadeva Institute told that they had conducted an emergency Angiogram that revealed a 90 per cent block in his left anterior descending artery. Angioplasty and stenting procedure was also done. He suffered a cardiac rupture and underwent an open heart surgery. His heart was weak and post surgery, his condition was critical.

Bob Christo was basically a civil engineer, but he was into theatre activities and had also acted in a German movie as well. He first came to Mumbai to meet Indian actress Parveen Babi. He was facinated by Bollywood films and modelling. His macho-man looks got him modelling assignments.

The Bollywood actor got his first break as a villain (magician) in the movie Abdullah in 1980. Later, he acted in more than 200 movies. Mr Bond, Roop ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Mr India, Namak Halal, Agneepath and Ram Aur Shyam are some of the movies that hold mirror to his acting talent. His last movie in Bollywood was Aman Ke Farishtey in 2003.

However, Bob Christo had moved to Bangalore a couple of years ago for business, while his family lived in Mumbai. For sometime, he worked as Yoga trainer. Later, he started a business in association with a person named Khaleem Pasha in Bangalore.

Talking about the sad demise of Gora villain Bob Christo, Khaleem Pasha said, "He was hospitalised after a massive heart attack on Saturday afternoon. He passed away today (Sunday)." He added, "His wife and relatives have arrived. Some Bollywood actors will reach by morning flight. His funeral will be held at Hebbal at 1.00 pm on Monday," Pasha added.