Doordarshan’s Junoon actor Mangal Dhillon passes away

Possibly best remembered for his character Sumer Rajvansh in Doordarshan’s long-running family drama series, Junoon, actor-director Mangal Dhillon has passed away. He was reportedly suffering from cancer, and breathed his last at a hospital in Ludhiana. 

Mangal was also a popular actor in the Punjabi film industry. The news of demise was shared by actor Yashpal Sharma, leaving the late actor’s colleagues and fans devastated. “Mangal Dhillon ji RIP”, Yashpal posted on Facebook. 

Meanwhile, Mangal’s family shared anote on social media, saying, “Aaj sadde Harman piyare Mangal Dhillon ji Sanu sariyan nu alvida keh ke akal chalana kar gaye ne… waheguru ji ohna nu sachkhand vich apne charna vich niwas bakshe.. (Today, our dear Mangal Dhillon has said his last farewell to us. May Waheguru bless him).” He is survived by his wife, painter Ritu Dhillon.

Hailing from the state’s Faridkot district, Mangal dabbled in theatre in Delhi, and later joined the Indian Theatre department at Panjab University, Chandigarh. In 1980, he completed his post-graduate diploma course in acting. 

His acting career in Doordarshan started with Katha Sagar in 1986. The same year, he became a part of Ramesh Sippy’s iconic television soap opera Buniyaad, playing the character of Lubhaya Ram. In terms of movies, he was last seen in the Punjabi film Toofan Singh in 2017. His other notable works include Khoon Bhari Maang, Pyar Ka Devta, Vishwatma and Sahibaan.