Gavin Packard, Bollywood’s handsome villain died is no more

The most popular face of antagonists of the 90s, Gavin was beloved and dreaded all the same by his fans for the roles he portrayed. In his heydays, he went around experiencing immense grandiose and fame and even the luxuries 18 after fighting a respiratory disorder for which he was being treated at a nursing centre in Vasai, Mumbai. His funeral was held on May 19, despite his long and notable cinematic career, the funeral was conspicuous and the absence of any representative from the film industry was notable.

The 47-year-old actor had distanced himself from the industry in his last years. Back in the ’90s, Gavin played a baddie in many Bollywood films, of which, Sadak, Tridev, Karan Arjun and Mohra became blockbusters. But he was also personally associated with some actors. Gavin, a bodybuilding expert, had pushed Sanjay Dutt into weight-training. He also trained Suniel Shetty while they worked together in the producer actor’s initial films like Waqt Hamara Hai and Hum Hain Bemisaal. Gavin even trained Salman Khan’s bodyguard Shera in bodybuilding. His funeral was held at St. Andrews Burial Grounds in Bandra on May 19. And though around 200 people came to pray for his soul, the film industry that was close to his heart was conspicuous by its absence.

Mumbai Mirror contacted, many stars who had worked with Gavin and had also been coached by the national award-winning bodybuilder, they expressed grief over his demise.

Sunil Shetty said, “It makes me very sad to learn about Gavin’s death. He was a part of all my initial films. In fact, he was the one who got Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) into bodybuilding, Bahut acha aadmi tha par producers se paise maang nahi sakta tha. Then at the end of the day, it becomes a hand to mouth existence. We used to train together a lot and when it came to bodybuilding, he was a pioneer. He exactly knew about every muscle, food intake. Any action film you say, he was there.”

Sanjay Dutt who is also a Godfather to Gavin’s daughter said, “He was like a brother to me. He introduced me to bodybuilding. I’ll pray for his peace. I am there for his family always. God bless his soul.”

Salman Khan’s bodyguard Shera was trained with Gavin. Shera knew him even before his entry into films. Shera said, “He would be a part of a lot of bodybuilding competitions that I would also participate in. He had a nice personality and physique and I am very sorry to hear about his death. He was a friend of mine. Bahut achcha aadmi tha.”