Writer, columnist, playwright and humorist Tarak Mehta died in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. He had been suffering from an illness for the last three-four months, reported The Indian Express. Mehta was 87. He survived by his wife, daughter and two grandsons.

Mehta was a popular name in Gujarati literary and theatre circles. He translated and adapted several comedies into Gujarati, and many of his writings have inspired plays. In 2015, Mehta received the Padma Shri award for his works.

His most popular column was Duniya Ne Undha Chasma in a local magazine. He started writing this column for Chitralekha in 1971, reported The Times of India. The popular Hindi TV show, Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma, was based on this column.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani remembered how his writings brought a smile to people’s faces. The cast and crew of Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma told The Indian Express they were finding it difficult to continue with their shoot.