Mahesh Tinaikar, a founding guitarist of the Indian rock band Indus Creed, died in Mumbai at age 63, Rolling Stone India and The Economic Times reported. He died on Thursday, The Economic Times reported. Band members said he died after a suspected heart attack, Rolling Stone India reported. The Economic Times, citing the news agency ANI, reported that he died after a heart attack.

Tinaikar formed the band Rock Machine in 1984, Rolling Stone India reported. The band later became Indus Creed, Rolling Stone India and The Economic Times reported. It released its debut album, Rock 'n' Roll Renegade, in 1988, Rolling Stone India reported.

"Two years ago, an Indian band couldn't draw an audience of more than 800 people. Now we get 10,000 in a stadium," Tinaikar said in a 1989 interview with The New York Times, according to Rolling Stone India.

The band reunited by 2010 and released the album Evolve in 2012, Rolling Stone India reported. Most recently, Indus Creed opened for Def Leppard at the British band's Mumbai concert in March 2026, Rolling Stone India reported.

Tributes came from across Indian music. "India lost a true LEGEND today," singer-composer Vishal Dadlani wrote on Instagram, according to Rolling Stone India. Dadlani also wrote, "I feel like I've been kicked hard in the chest," according to The Economic Times. Actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar wrote "RIP brother" in an Instagram Story, The Economic Times reported.

Tinaikar had faced health issues for several years, and his funeral was scheduled for Friday at Mumbai's Banganga crematorium, The Economic Times reported, citing ANI.

What we know: Tinaikar, a founder of one of India's best-known rock bands, died in Mumbai at 63.
What we don't: The cause of death as confirmed by his family or doctors.