Actor Ghanashyam Nayak, best known among fans for playing Nattu Kaka in the classic Hindi sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, passed away on Sunday evening after a battle with cancer. He was reported to be in his 70s, according to news agency PTI. The news of Nayak's death was shared by Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah creator Asit Kumarr Modi, who revealed the late actor had been facing health issues for the past few months after he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Below is Asit Kumarr Modi's tweet below: 

 The makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah too issued a statement mourning the demise of Ghanashyam Nayak and tweeted, "It pains us to inform you all with a heavy heart about the demise of Mr Ghanshyam Nayak ji who played the role of Nattu Kaka in #TMKOC. Ghanshyam ji has been an invaluable member of our TMKOC family for all the 13 years of our time." Asit Kumarr Modi was quoted as saying about Ghanashyam Nayak to PTI, "He passed away today evening. He wasn't keeping well for a long time. He had cancer." Despite complications with his health, Nayak, who played Nattu Kaka on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, had always expressed his interest to be a part of the show," Modi said. "He always wanted to keep shooting. Even though he was unwell, work would always make him happy. I would look for opportunities to get him on the show. But it had become difficult for him to shoot. For the last two days he was extremely unwell," the hit show's creator added. The late actor had also filmed an episode of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah earlier this year while undergoing chemotherapy. 

Ghanashyam Nayak's last rites and funeral were held on Monday morning, which saw Asit Kumarr Modi and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Dilip Joshi pay their final respects. Known for his trademark dialogue, "Heh, mujhe kuch kaha? (Did you say something to me?)", the iconic TV actor had a pivotal role on the show. Outside of his work on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Nayak featured in over a hundred films, both in Bollywood and the Gujarati film industry, while also appearing in more than 300 television shows. An eminent name in Gujarati theatre, Ghanashyam Nayak is survived by his family - wife and three kids.