Veteran Bollywood actor-filmmaker Joy Mukherjee was cremated in Mumbai on Saturday morning, the Indian Express reported.
The last rites at around 11.30 am at Versova crematorium were attended by, besides family members, actress niece Kajol, composer Bappi Lahiri, actor Raza Murad and Tabassum among others.
Mukherjee, 73, died at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on Friday due to prolonged illness, his spokesperson said. He was admitted to hospital on Monday.
Mukherjee’s debuted in 1960 with Love in Shimla and went on to deliver hits like Love in Tokyo, Ziddi, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon.
According to the Times of India Mukherjee was put on artificial support system after his lungs failed to respond. “He was put on respirators since the time he was admitted in the hospital. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU”.
He is survived by his wife Neelam and three children including two sons — Boy and Troy.
The Times of India said that veteran actors Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu had visited the hospital on Thursday. Musician Lahiri too spent some time in the hospital with Mukherjee’s wife, giving her moral support.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan paid tribute to Mukherjee on social networking site Twitter on Friday, “Joy Mukherjee passes away…leading man and a star during his time…condolences to members of his family and prayers…”
Mukherjee hailed from a family which was well-known in the Hindi film industry. His father was the co-founder of Filmalaya studio and was married to veteran actor Ashok Kumar’s sister Sati Devi.
Mukherjee was actor Kajol’s paternal uncle.