Lekh Tandon was 88 (Image courtesy: ashokepandit)
Highlights
- He had directed stars like Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor and Hema Malini
- Do Rahain was the last film directed by him
- Lekh Tandon directed SRK in TV show Dil Dariya
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.
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.
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."
Swades director Ashutosh Gowariker and singer Lata Mageshkar also paid tribute to Mr Tandon on Twitter.
His funeral will be held in Powai on Monday afternoon.
(With IANS inputs)