Veteran Actor Ramakant Dayama Passes Away at 85, Played Memorable Roles Across Films

Ramakant Dayama (also spelled Ramakant Dayma) was a veteran Indian character actor known for his extensive work across Hindi films, television shows, web platforms, and memorable ad campaigns. He gained widespread recognition and became a familiar face among audiences through his comic timing in television commercials, especially the hugely popular Centre Fruit chewing gum ads.

Dayama shared a close bond with his family. He was married to Asha Dayama and was the father of actress Yashaswini Dayama, known for her roles in Dear Zindagi and Phobia, as well as the web series Adulting. He also had a son, Prabhat Dayama. Known for his cheerful personality, love for music, and lively spirit, he was remembered by colleagues as a warm and resilient individual. He passed away on May 26, 2026, after battling health issues for several months, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. 

Shubhangi Latkar confirmed the passing of her close friend and co-star Ramakant Dayama through a heartfelt note on Instagram. Along with her emotional message, she shared a nostalgic throwback video capturing Dayama laughing, singing, dancing, and enjoying a lively moment with friends, offering a glimpse of his joyful and spirited personality. 

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A post shared by Shubhangi Sanjeev Latkar (@shubhangi.latkar.official)

Ramakant Dayama was widely admired for his memorable presence across advertising and films, thanks to his expressive acting and impeccable comic timing. He became a household name through iconic commercials like Centre Fruit and a popular Asian Paints campaign with Ranbir Kapoor. In films, he delivered impactful supporting roles in projects such as Chak De! India, Crew, Dhanak, Baipan Bhari Deva, Sachin: A Billion Dreams, and Ram Setu. He also made notable contributions to Marathi cinema with films like Sridevi Prasanna and Premachi Goshta 2, while appearing in other well-known movies such as Shuddh Desi Romance, Mumbai Saga, Brothers, Paa, and Gandhi, My Father. 

With the rise of OTT platforms, Ramakant Dayama seamlessly transitioned into digital content, delivering impactful performances across popular web series. In Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020), he portrayed Shantilal Mehta, the principled father of Harshad Mehta, earning praise for his emotional depth. He further appeared as Ishwar Chacha in Farzi (2023), a hit thriller by Raj & DK, and played Judge Thakore in The Trial (2025), a courtroom drama led by Kajol.