Veteran Actor Ramakant Daayama, Known for Scam 1992 and The Trial Season 2, Passes Away at 69

Ramakant Daayama Passes Away at 69

Veteran actor Ramakant Daayama, known for his work across Hindi and Marathi cinema, television, theatre and streaming projects, passed away on May 26, 2026, at the age of 69. His death was confirmed by actor and close friend Shubhangi Latkar, who shared an emotional tribute remembering him as a talented performer, friend and guide.

Daayama's career stretched across several mediums, with audiences recognising him from films such as Chak De! India, Paa, Brothers, Bank Chor, Ram Setu and Crew. He also appeared in acclaimed digital projects including Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Made in Heaven, Farzi and The Trial Season 2.

A familiar face across films, television and OTT

Ramakant Daayama was a character actor whose filmography included projects across different genres and formats.

One of his widely remembered appearances came in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De! India, where he played an association member connected to the Indian Hockey Federation. The 2007 sports drama remains one of the prominent films associated with his career.

He later continued working in films including Paa, Brothers, Bank Chor, Mumbai Saga, Ram Setu and Crew. Bollywood Hungama's filmography also lists his appearances in Kabir Singh, Humshakals and Bajatey Raho.

His work expanded significantly into streaming as India's OTT ecosystem developed.

His memorable role in Scam 1992

For many OTT viewers, Daayama became particularly recognisable through Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story.

He played Shantilal Mehta, the father of stockbroker Harshad Mehta, in the 2020 SonyLIV series. His performance was part of an ensemble that included Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary and a large supporting cast.

The role was relatively restrained compared with the series' more dramatic financial and courtroom-adjacent sequences, but it contributed to the family dimension of Harshad Mehta's story.

Daayama subsequently appeared in other digital productions, including Typewriter, Laakhon Mein Ek, Jehanabad: Of Love & War and Farzi.

His appearance in The Trial Season 2

Daayama was also part of the ensemble of The Trial: Pyaar. Kaanoon. Dhokha. Season 2, which premiered on JioHotstar on September 19, 2025.

The second season brought back Kajol as lawyer Noyonika Sengupta and expanded the show's courtroom and personal-drama narrative. Daayama played Judge Thakore, appearing in the show's legal proceedings. Bollywood Hungama's review specifically highlighted Daayama and Asrani as surprises in the season.

His role also featured in one of the show's lighter courtroom threads. Scroll's review noted that the judge played by Daayama is confronted with unfamiliar Gen-Z terminology during an influencer-related case.

Shubhangi Latkar remembers the actor

Following his death, Shubhangi Latkar shared a deeply personal tribute.

She remembered Daayama as a person full of warmth and energy and described him as a spontaneous dancer, soulful singer and brilliant actor. She also recalled that they had hoped to work together again.

According to her tribute, the two had discussed collaborating on a Hindi play and presenting selected poems on stage. Daayama had responded that he wanted to get well before taking up the project.

Latkar's post also indicated that Daayama had been unwell for several months. Other reports described his death as following a prolonged illness, although the exact medical cause of death has not been publicly established in the sources reviewed for this article.

CINTAA pays tribute

The Cine & TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) also mourned Daayama's death.

The organisation remembered him as a respected former Executive Committee member and acknowledged his contribution to the artist community.

His work extended beyond mainstream Hindi films. He also appeared in Marathi cinema, television productions and theatre, making his career considerably broader than the handful of screen appearances for which contemporary audiences may remember him.

A career built on character roles

Daayama's filmography reflects the importance of character actors in Indian cinema.

Rather than being defined by a single lead role or franchise, his career developed through supporting characters across films, television, advertising, theatre and digital series.

He was also recognised for his appearances in Centre Fruit advertisements, which helped make him a familiar face to television audiences during the 2000s.

His later work in projects such as Scam 1992, Farzi, Crew and The Trial Season 2 demonstrated how character performers who had spent years working across traditional media could find another audience through streaming platforms.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Ramakant Daayama's career is a reminder that the history of Hindi entertainment is not written only through headline-making stars.

His body of work was built largely through supporting and character roles, but those performances helped give films and series texture and credibility. From the hockey administration setting of Chak De! India to the family world of Scam 1992 and the courtroom environment of The Trial Season 2, Daayama repeatedly occupied different corners of a story.

His passing marks the loss of a performer whose career crossed theatre, advertising, television, cinema and OTT.

For viewers who recognise him from recent streaming projects, his death also offers an opportunity to look back at the wider body of work behind those familiar appearances.

Sources & Verification

This report was prepared using Bollywood Hungama's report on Ramakant Daayama's death, his available filmography, reporting from Hindustan Times, Cinema Express, NDTV and Republic World, and information from Banijay Asia regarding The Trial Season 2. The actor's role in Scam 1992 was cross-checked through available filmography databases and secondary reporting.

The reports consistently confirm his death on May 26, 2026, while the exact medical cause has not been established in the sources reviewed. Reports differ on some biographical details, so those have been omitted where they could not be reliably reconciled.