Mahesh Tinaikar passes away: Farhan Akhtar, Vishal Dadlani pay tribute to Indian rock legend
Oct 15, 2026
New Delhi [India], October 15 : Actor, filmmaker and musician Farhan Akhtar has paid an emotional tribute to veteran Indian rock guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar, a founding member of the pioneering rock band Rock Machine, later known as Indus Creed, who died at the age of 63.
As per reports, the musician died due to a heart attack.
Akhtar shared a monochrome photograph of Tinaikar performing with his guitar on his Instagram story, bidding farewell to the musician with a brief but heartfelt message.
"RIP brother #maheshtinaikar," he wrote.
Tinaikar's death has prompted an outpouring of grief across India's music fraternity, with musicians, artists and fans remembering his contribution to the country's independent rock scene.
As a founding member and lead guitarist of Rock Machine, he helped shape a defining chapter in the evolution of Indian rock music.
Singer and composer Vishal Dadlani also expressed his grief over Tinaikar's passing, highlighting the guitarist's lasting influence on generations of Indian rock musicians.
"I feel like I’ve been kicked hard in the chest," Dadlani wrote in his tribute.
He also acknowledged Tinaikar's role in opening doors for the country's rock community, saying that every rock-and-roller in India since the days of Rock Machine owed him a profound debt of gratitude for lighting a path that had once seemed unimaginable.
Dadlani extended his condolences to Tinaikar's family, fans and fellow musicians, including Uday Benegal, Mark Selwyn, Zubin Balaporia, Shantanu Hudlikar and Farhad Wadia.
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Originally formed as Rock Machine in 1984, the band later became known as Indus Creed and emerged as a pioneering force in India's independent rock movement.
Tinaikar's guitar work and musical contributions helped establish a foundation for the generations of rock artists who followed.