Veteran Indian actor and playwright Manoj Mitra died on Tuesday, November 12. The 85-year-old actor had been suffering from age-related health issues for a long time. He died at a private hospital in Kolkata.

Born on December 22, 1938, Mitra studied at the Scottish Church College in Kolkata and wrote several short stories. It was during his time in college that he developed an interest in theatre. He wrote over 100 plays, including Sajano Bagaan, Chokhe Angul Dada, Kaalbihongo, Parabas, Alokanandar Putra Kanya, Narak Gulzar, Aswathama, Chakbhanga Madhu, and many others, reports India Today.

Mitra was also known for his performances in films such as Tapan Sinha’s Banchharamer Bagan and Satyajit Ray’s classics Ghare Baire and Ganashatru.

He served as a professor in the Department of Drama at Rabindra Bharati University for many years and retired in 2003.

Manoj Mitra was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Best Playwright in 1985.