Bedekar, suffering from bronchitis, was admitted to Joshi Hospital on Monday. He lost consciousness on Wednesday after a paralytic stroke. He regained consciousness briefly on Thursday but breathed his last at 9.10 am.

Bedekar's body was later taken to his residence on Apte Road. His fans rushed to pay homage. His body was kept at his residence for about four hours and later taken to Vaikunth crematorium. His son Shrikant, who is in the United States, will arrive on Sunday. The last rites were performed by his godson Vijay Alshi.

Born on August 13, 1906 at Amravati in Vidarbha, Bedekar completed his formal education at his native place. He went to Nagpur for post-graduation. During his college days, he was attracted towards English literature and theatre. His love for theatre and literature brought him to Pune in the 1930s.

Bedekar's first and only novel, Ranangan, published in 1939, is a milestone in Marathi literature. The novel, which portrays the love between an Indian youth and an English girl against the backdrop of World War II, created a storm in literary circles and gained immense popularity.

Bedekar also scripted several dramas including Bramhakumari, Naro Va Kunjaro Va, Vaje Paul Apule and Tilak and Agarkar. His last drama - Tilak and Agarkar, based on the emotional and intellectual conflict between the two friends, is a classic.

Bedekar, who took a course in cinematography in England, directed a number of Marathi and Hindi films which include Thakiche Lagna, Satyache Prayog, Vasudeo Balvant, Naradnardi, Krishnarjun Yuddh, Chul Ani Mul, Ramshastri and Pahila Palna, Rastum Sohrab, Eak Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi and Lakharani. Guru Dutt, one of the most popular directors of Hindi movies, was Bedekar's assistant in Lakkharani. Bedekar had also started writing the script for an ambitious film on Swatantryaveer Savarkar, being produced by Sudhir Phadke.

His autobiography titled, Eak Zad ani Don Pakshi, published in 1984, was popular because of his writing style.