New Delhi:
Bollywood's distinguished characterartist A K Hangal, who endeared himself to the audience byplaying the role of the lovable old man in films likeSholay, Shaukeen and Namak Haram, died today following abrief illness.
The 95-year-old actor, remembered for his role as ImamChacha in the blockbuster Sholay, passed away at 9 am at theAsha Parekh Hospital in suburban Santacruz in Mumbai where hewas admitted on August 16 after fracturing his thigh bone.
A surgery was to take place, but doctors at the hospitalcalled it off as he had several complications including chestproblem, breathing and lung ailments.
Best known for his one-liner from blockbuster Sholay -Itna sannaata kyun hai bhai (why so much silence is there),Mr Hangal made his entry in Bollywood when he was in his 40s andwent on to act in over 200 films.
"This is really a sad thing...now I am left all alone.I have no words to describe his loss," his son Vijay told PTI.
"He was a strong man...he has been a great support tome," he said.
Avtaar Veenit Kishan Hangal was born in a KashmiriPandit family in Sialkot (Pakistan) and came to the city ofdreams Mumbai - at the age of 21, with Rs 20 in his pocket.
He initially worked as a tailor and had customers likethe Nawab of Pataudi and Britishers and was paid Rs 500 permonth.
Known for his roles in films like Namak Haram,Sholay, Shaukeen, Aaina, Bawarchi and others, Hangalplayed the role of father, uncle or friend to leading actorslike Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bachchan, Sunny Deol and others.
He made an impressive mark as the old man who gets up andjoins the troupe in the song Ghanan Ghanan where he sang oneline Kale Megha Kale Megha Pani To Barsao in Aamir Khanstarrer movie Lagaan.
The actor, who was honoured with the Padma Bhushan forhis contribution to Hindi cinema in 2006, was in the news lastyear for living a life in penury.
His son Vijay, a retired still cameraman in Bollywood,appealed for help after failing to meet Mr Hangal's medicalexpenses. Several Bollywood celebrities like the Bachchans,producer-director Vipul Shah, and actors Mithun Chakraborty,Aamir Khan and Salman Khan came forward to help him.
Recently, he returned to face the studio lights afterseveral years for TV series Madhubala.
The 95-year-old actor, remembered for his role as ImamChacha in the blockbuster Sholay, passed away at 9 am at theAsha Parekh Hospital in suburban Santacruz in Mumbai where hewas admitted on August 16 after fracturing his thigh bone.
A surgery was to take place, but doctors at the hospitalcalled it off as he had several complications including chestproblem, breathing and lung ailments.
Best known for his one-liner from blockbuster Sholay -Itna sannaata kyun hai bhai (why so much silence is there),Mr Hangal made his entry in Bollywood when he was in his 40s andwent on to act in over 200 films.
"This is really a sad thing...now I am left all alone.I have no words to describe his loss," his son Vijay told PTI.
"He was a strong man...he has been a great support tome," he said.
Avtaar Veenit Kishan Hangal was born in a KashmiriPandit family in Sialkot (Pakistan) and came to the city ofdreams Mumbai - at the age of 21, with Rs 20 in his pocket.
He initially worked as a tailor and had customers likethe Nawab of Pataudi and Britishers and was paid Rs 500 permonth.
Known for his roles in films like Namak Haram,Sholay, Shaukeen, Aaina, Bawarchi and others, Hangalplayed the role of father, uncle or friend to leading actorslike Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bachchan, Sunny Deol and others.
He made an impressive mark as the old man who gets up andjoins the troupe in the song Ghanan Ghanan where he sang oneline Kale Megha Kale Megha Pani To Barsao in Aamir Khanstarrer movie Lagaan.
The actor, who was honoured with the Padma Bhushan forhis contribution to Hindi cinema in 2006, was in the news lastyear for living a life in penury.
His son Vijay, a retired still cameraman in Bollywood,appealed for help after failing to meet Mr Hangal's medicalexpenses. Several Bollywood celebrities like the Bachchans,producer-director Vipul Shah, and actors Mithun Chakraborty,Aamir Khan and Salman Khan came forward to help him.
Recently, he returned to face the studio lights afterseveral years for TV series Madhubala.
