Aamir Khan remembers veteran actor Achyut Potdar, who passed away on Monday in Thane, Mumbai, at the age of 91. Earlier, his family had admitted him to Jupiter Hospital due to health complications.
Aamir, who shared the screen with Potdar in the blockbuster hit ‘3 Idiots’, paid a heartfelt tribute on social media. Posting from the official Aamir Khan Productions accounts, he wrote: “I am very saddened to hear about Achyutji passing away. He was an amazing actor, a wonderful human being, and a great colleague. We will miss you Achyutji. My heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Many will fondly remember Potdar for his role as the memorable engineering professor in ‘3 Idiots’. In one of the film’s most iconic scenes, he asks the students to define a “machine.”
While most students fumble with long, technical explanations to Achyut Potdar, Rancho, played by Aamir Khan, delivers a simple, humorous answer, even demonstrating how machines work using his pant zip.
That scene gave birth to countless memes online.
Aamir Khan on Achyut Potdar:
— Aamir Khan Productions (@AKPPL_Official) August 19, 2025
Potdar’s journey to stardom was anything but ordinary. Before entering the world of acting, he led a life filled with diverse experiences. After completing his university education, he became a professor in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
Soon after, he joined the Indian Army and served with distinction, retiring as a captain in 1967. Following his military career, he spent nearly 25 years with Indian Oil as an executive, finally retiring at the age of 58 in 1992.
Even while pursuing a corporate career, Potdar never let go of his love for the arts. He actively participated in theatre productions and cultural events, often representing Indian Oil in performances that combined his professional and creative lives.
Interestingly, Potdar’s film career began relatively late, at the age of 44. Over the next few decades, he acted in more than 125 Hindi and Marathi films and appeared in nearly 100 television serials. He became particularly associated with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s productions and delivered notable performances in films such as ‘Dabangg 2’, ‘Ferrari Ki Sawaari’, and of course, ‘3 Idiots’.