16 October,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vishal Dadlani, Mahesh Tinaikar, Farhan Akhtar. Pics via Instagram
Guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar, the founding lead of India's pioneering rock band Rock Machine, later known as Indus Creed, died on Thursday at the age of 63. Tinaikar died after suffering a heart attack. He was 63. The news of his passing was confirmed by fellow guitarist Allan Ao.
According to an ANI report, Mahesh Tinaikar died of a heart attack at 63. Bollywood actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who is known for his love for rock music, paid tribute to the musician by sharing a black-and-white photo of the guitarist performing on stage. Along with the photo, he added a heartfelt message on his Instagram story that read, "RIP brother #maheshtinaikar," along with folded hands and a red heart emoji.
Similarly, singer-composer Vishal Dadlani also posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, "India lost a true LEGEND today. Every single rock and roller since RockMachine owes sheeshling (Mahesh Tinaikar) a debt of gratitude for lighting up the way that we couldn't even imagine until they walked it! An inspiring and pioneering musician, and a guy who always stood on the right side of things. Grateful I got to be on stage with induscreednow and say thanks to all of them in public," he wrote.
He further offered condolences to Tinaikar's fellow bandmates and his family, saying, "I feel like I've been kicked hard in the chest, so I can't even begin to imagine what udaybenegal markselwyn1 zubinbalaporia JayeshGandhi and of course shantanuhudlikar and farhad.wadia are feeling right now."
Tinaikar was the founder of the Mumbai-based band Rock Machine. The band was founded in 1984, with the original line-up including Tinaikar on lead guitar, Mark Selwyn on bass, Ian Santamaria on vocals, Aftab Currim on rhythm guitar and Suresh Bhadricha on drums.
Rock Machine later came to be known as Indus Creed from 1994, which then comprised of vocalist Uday Benegal, keyboardist Zubin Balaporia, bassist Mark Selwyn, guitarist Jayesh Gandhi and drummer Mark Menezes. The band significantly helped shape the Indian rock scene.
Tinaikar was also a songwriter and composer who also composed music for TV. In 2011, he became an educator, serving on the faculty of True School of Music in Mumbai between 2016 to 2018.
Under his leadership, Indus Creed became the first Indian band to feature on MTV Asia and even won the Asia-wide MTV Viewers' Choice award for their song Pretty Child.
