The Indian film industry mourns the loss of Gangu Ramsay, a pivotal member of the renowned Ramsay Brothers, who left an indelible mark on the horror genre in Indian cinema. Gangu Ramsay breathed his last at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai on Sunday morning, leaving behind a legacy of ground-breaking films. At the age of 83, he succumbed to health complications following a month-long battle.
The Ramsay family, deeply entrenched in the fabric of Bollywood’s horror film history, announced his death with a heavy heart. “It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the demise of Gangu Ramsay, the storied cinematographer, filmmaker, producer, and second eldest son of F.U. Ramsay. He departed this world at 8 am today, after a prolonged struggle with illness over the last month,” the family stated. Survived by his daughter Geeta Ramsay and son Chander Ramsay, his funeral took place at Oshiwara Crematorium at 2 pm on the day of his passing.
Embracing their father F.U. Ramsay’s foundation, the Ramsay Brothers became a brand synonymous with horror, effectively carving a unique niche for themselves. Through their banner, Gangu Ramsay contributed his artistic vision to a plethora of memorable movies, including cult classics like ‘Veerana’, ‘Purana Mandir’, ‘Bandh Darwaza’, and ‘Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche’. Not restricting his talents to films, he also explored tales of the macabre on television, with forays into shows like ‘The Zee Horror Show’ and ‘Nagin’.
Gangu’s cinematographic flair was instrumental in crafting the eerie atmospheres essential to the Ramsay brand of horror cinema, which captured imaginations with its compelling blend of horror and erotica. The films often featured a motley crew of supernatural entities, from vampires and zombies to werewolves and otherworldly beings, melding fear with allure.
The Ramsays’ rise to cult status is well documented, with the 1972 hit ‘Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche’ heralding a new dawn for the horror genre within the Indian film industry. Their collaborative endeavor spread across all areas of filmmaking: Kumar Ramsay pulling strings in the script department, Kiran Ramsay weaving magic with sound, Keshu Ramsay dual-wielding roles in cinematography and production, Arjun Ramsay cutting and editing to perfection, leaving Tulsi Ramsay and Shyam Ramsay to helm the directorial reins.
Gangu Ramsay’s visual storytelling was not confined to the horror scene. He showed the same mastery in mainstream Bollywood flicks such as ‘Aashiq Awara’, spotlighting Saif Ali Khan in his earlier years and partnering with Akshay Kumar in adrenaline-fueled thrillers of the ‘Khiladi’ film series. His lens also captured the charisma of veteran Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan.
A creator through and through, Gangu extended his artistry into Indian television, infusing the small screen with cinematic quality through his work on iconic series. From spine-chilling episodes of ‘The Zee Horror Show’ to the suspense-filled stories of ‘Saturday Suspense’ and ‘X Zone’, his contribution had the audience’s heartbeats racing as they sat riveted before their TVs.
His demise is more than the loss of a seminal figure in Indian cinema; it represents the end of an era that cultivated a fascination with horror among Indian audiences. Gangu Ramsay and his brothers didn’t just make films; they created a subculture that has influenced generations and will continue to inspire filmmakers seeking to delve into the world of shadows and tales from the beyond. As we bid farewell to this cinema stalwart, we reflect on a life lived vividly behind the camera, sculpting nightmares into celluloid dreams, etching an enduring chapter in the annals of Hindi cinema.
