Playwright Vijay Tendulkar dead at 80

PUNE, India, May 19 (UPI) -- Indian playwright and screenwriter Vijay Tendulkar has died in Pune in western India after a long illness. He was 80.

The author, best-known for his plays "Ghasiram Kotwal," "Shanta!" "Court Chalu Ahe (Silence! The Court is in Session," "Gidhade (Vultures)" and "Sakharam Binder," died at his home, the BBC said Monday.

Woven into many of his works were social themes, such as poverty, women's rights and corruption, which Tendulkar wanted to see addressed.

He also wrote the screenplays for the films "Manthan," "Ardh Satya," "Aakrosh," "Nishant" and "Umbartha."

Tendulkar is survived by a daughter, the BBC said.