Veteran filmmaker Prakash Mehra passes away

Mumbai, May 17 (ANI): Legendary Bollywood producer-director Prakash Mehra passed away in a hospital in Mumbai on Sunday, after prolonged illness.

The 69-year-old Mehra, who was in hospital for last several days, breathed his last at 7. 50 a.m. He died of pneumonia and multiple organ failure.

He will be cremated at the Juhu crematorium.

He had begun his career as a production controller in the late 50s and turned director with the musical super hit Haseena Man Jaayegi (1968) starring Shashi Kapoor.

With his Zanjeer (1973) Mehra's association began with Amitabh Bachchan and together they went on to make seven films, most notable of them being Hera Pheri (1976), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Laawaris (1981), Namak Halal (1982) and of course Sharaabi (1984). However their last film together Jaadugar (1989) was a box office disaster.

His last directed film Bal Brahmachari (1996) was the launch pad for eccentric actor Raaj Kumar's son Puru Raajkumar. His last produced film was the Rekha starrer Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao (2001).

He had received a lifetime achievement award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006. He had also received Lifetime Achievement as Producer from IMPAA on September 19, 2008. (ANI)