New Delhi: The sudden demise of actor Kavi Kumar Azad aka Dr Hathi from 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' has left the TV industry and fans in a state of shock. The talented actor breathed his last on Monday after suffering a cardiac arrest. The team of the ‘Taarak Mehta’ cancelled their shoot after they got to know the sad news. Dilip Joshi and Disha Vakani, who play the respective roles of Jethalal and Dayaben, are also shocked to hear about Azad’s death.

Disha, who is currently on a maternity break from TMKOC, while talking to a leading daily, expressed her grief.

" I am still unable to fathom that he is no more with us. It’s beyond shocking. He was one of the finest people around,’’ the actress told TimesOfIndia.com.

"He was exactly the same as shown on-screen. He loved food and loved to eat and feed everyone. I remember how he had specially got Gulab Jamuns for me during my pregnancy. I am just not able to gather myself ever since I have heard of this. It's so shocking even more because he was all fine till now,’’ Disha further told TOI.



Dilip Joshi also expressed his shock at the demise of his co-star from TMKOC.  The actor, who is currently in London for a family trip, told the leading daily that he is shocked to hear the news and learnt about the same from his co-stars.

''I am shocked with the news and it is absolutely saddening. I learnt about it from my team members. I am in London with my family. When the incident happened, I started getting calls from fellow actors, I still can't believe that he is no more.'' Joshi told TOI.

Dilip called the deceased actor the laughing buddha on the set and told the daily that he was amazing person to work with.



Kavi Kumar, who had also acted in films like ‘Mela’ and ‘Funtoosh’, will be remembered by the fans for his amazing portrayal of Dr. Hathi.