Filmmaker Lekh Tandon Dies At 88. Rishi Kapoor, Others Pay Condolences

New Delhi: Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon, best-known for directing films like Professor (1962) and Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), died on Sunday evening at his residence in Mumbai's Powai, reports news agency IANS. He was 88. Mr Tandon's TV show Farmaan, starring Kanwaljit Singh and Navin Nischol, was also a hit. He had directed many Bollywood stars such as Shammi Kapoor (Professor, Prince), Rajender Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna and others. His film Amrapali (1966), featuring Sunil Dutt and Vyjayanthimala, was selected as Indian entry for the best foreign language film at 39th Academy awards. Do Rahain (1997), featuring Meenakshi Sheshadri and Kanwaljit Singh, was the last film directed by him. Lekh Tandon started his career as an assistant director and later directed several hit films. Phir Wahi Talash was the first TV show directed by him.

"RIP Lekh Tandon ji. Directed Prince, Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bahaye, etc... was my father's assistant," actor Rishi Kapoor wrote on Twitter.
 

RIP Lekh Tandon ji, Directed "Prince", "Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bahaye" etc.... was my fathers assistant.

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) October 15, 2017

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit told IANS that Lekh Tandon was bed-ridden for the last five to six months and died at 5.38 pm on Sunday. "Sad to know about the demise of one of the finest TV and film directors, Lekh Tandon ji. Your work is immoral. Will miss U. #RIP," he tweeted.
 

Speechless 2 see #LekhTandon ji A legend of #Cinema & #TV lying down with a smile on hs face as if he will just get up nd say #Action. #RIP. pic.twitter.com/JmNKpTXds0

— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) October 15, 2017

Lekh Tandon was born in Lahore (now in Pakistan) in 1929. Besides direction, he also acted in various films like Shah Rukh Khan's Swades, Paheli and Chennai Express and Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti. Mr Tandon also directed SRK in the TV show Dil Dariya in 1988.

Shabana Azmi, who worked with Lekh Tandon in Ek Baar Kaho and Doosri Dulhan, wrote, "I was lucky to do 2 beautiful films with Lekh Tandon - Ek Baar Kaho and Doosri Dulhan a film about surrogacy way ahead of its time. Respect."
 

I was lucky to do 2 beautiful films with #Lekh Tandon - Ek Baar Kaho and Doosri Dulhan a filmabout surrogacy way ahead of its time. Respect

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) October 15, 2017

Swades director Ashutosh Gowariker and singer Lata Mageshkar also paid tribute to Mr Tandon on Twitter.
 

Very VERSATILE Director who gave several HITS!
Was privileged to work with u in Swades!
Will always miss ur gentleness Sir! RIP #LekhTandon pic.twitter.com/B4m1M96Cjc

— Ashutosh Gowariker (@AshGowariker) October 15, 2017

 

Abhineta aur film nirdeshak Lekh Tandon ji ka aaj swargwas hua.Ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua.Meri unko vinamra shraddhanjali.

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) October 15, 2017

 

goodbye #LekhTandon Extraordinary film maker/story teller of his times. Never ever refused an actor at his doorstep some warmth advice n tea

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) October 15, 2017

His funeral will be held in Powai on Monday afternoon.

(With IANS inputs)