11th July,2024
Kathmandu – Artist Ghanshyam Gautam, who had been battling cancer, has passed away. His family informed that he died on Monday night. The 43-year-old Gautam had been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past two years. He passed away while receiving treatment at Kathmandu Cancer Hospital in Tathali, Bhaktapur.
He had been appealing for help through social media. Some fellow artists had even visited him on his hospital bed with financial aid. He was especially known for impersonating “Fake Prachanda,” which became his identity. Because of this, even former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) visited him at the hospital once. Although Prachanda had promised to help him, Gautam’s wife later posted from his Facebook account expressing that they did not receive any assistance from him.
Gautam began his artistic journey with the television series Meri Bassai. Through Hatemalo Communications, he became actively involved in the field of drama. He was regarded as an excellent performer in street plays, radio dramas, and court-style dramas (kachahari). He was also active with Abhiyan Theatre. In addition, he used to teach acting in various schools.
In an interview with Artist Khabar a year ago, Gautam had said:
“It was only after I fell ill and was bedridden that I realized how important money really is in life. I used to think fame was everything—I never chased money. My family would always scold me, saying other people work to earn money and go abroad. Now I feel that money is far more important than fame. It’s only when you need money that you realize its true value. At that moment, it’s money that can actually save your life.
The hospital doesn’t treat me just because I’m an artist. Wherever I go, money comes before fame. If you have money, everything is possible. Time has taught me this. Before I got sick, I thought fame was great—but now I believe money is greater.”
